In the very heart of Paris, and in the immediate vicinity of other Olympic venues such as the place de la Concorde, l'esplanade des Invalides, the stade Tour Eiffel and l'arena Champ-de-Mars, the Grand Palais will host the fencing, chair fencing, taekwondo and para taekwondo events. Discover this emblematic monument of Paris and the surrounding area, with its must-see sites.
© Paris je t'aime - David Lefranc
Just a stone's throw from the Seine and the Champs-Élysées, the Grand Palais is easily recognisable with its big dome and its sublime 240-metre-long nave that required more than 6,000 tonnes of steel! Trade fairs, events, fashion shows, sports competitions, notably at the 1924 Paris Games, and 100 years later the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, are all held here... Built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition** by the architects Henri Deglane, Albert Louvet and Albert Thomas, the Grand Palais has retained its vocation of hosting outstanding events, which is why it was built on such a scale, covering an area of 77,000 m². Now comprising three sites - the Nave, the Galeries nationales and the Palais de la Découverte - it is listed as a historic monument and continues to amaze visitors.
The district boasts many gourmet and even Michelin-starred restaurants, where celebrities can sometimes be found. Among the unmissable addresses for lovers of good food? Lasserre, awarded a Michelin star and renowned for its elegant decor, its menu that combines tradition and modernity and its legendary sunroof. A local institution since 1942!
© Petit Palais
Also built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition, the Petit Palais was built opposite its big brother - the Grand Palais - and designed by architect Charles Girault. Since 1902, this magnificent building has housed the Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris. More confidential than some museums, the building - embellished by a paisible interior garden - is well worth discovering, as are its collections. With works ranging from Antiquity to the early 20th century, it offers a wonderful dive into the history of Art.
© Mairie de Paris - Jean-Baptiste Gurliat
Is there a more mythical avenue than the Champs-Élysées? Sung about, filmed and immortalised, this wide artery linking the Place de la Concorde to the Place de l'Étoile - where the Arc de Triomphe is located - was, until the 17th century, a simple marshland before the intervention of great architects, including the gardener André Le Nôtre - under the reign of Louis XIV - and the architect Jacques-Ignace Hittorff for the lower gardens. Since then, some of the world's top fashion houses, legendary clubs and other ‘grand houses’ have set up shop here and continue to liven things up. Among the most emblematic? The concept store Le Publicis Drugstore, the brasserie L'Alsace and Le Fouquet's, which hosts the Césars dinner. Much more than just a tourist thoroughfare, the Champs are a meeting place for great historical and sporting events: the Liberation in 1944, the arrival of the Tour de France, the parade of World Football Champions in 1998 and 2018...
© Matthew Avignone
Nestled in the heart of the Golden Triangle, the Tornabuoni Gallery specialises in post-war Italian art, but not only that. As well as offering works by the artists of the Italian Novecento (Giorgio De Chirico, Giacomo Balla, Lucio Fontana...), it also has a beautiful collection of pieces by major 20th-century artists such as Pablo Picasso, Joan Mirò, Jean Dubuffet, Christo, Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Continue your exploration of Avenue Matignon by visiting the neighbouring galleries and taking a look at the Hôtel Matignon, the home of the French Prime Minister.
© Kristen Pelou
The legendary home of the House of Dior since 1946, 30 avenue Montaigne is getting a new exhibition space with the Galerie Dior. Spread over 2,000 m² and 2 floors**, the entire history of the House of Dior is on display. The genius of its artistic directors from Christian Dior to his six successors (Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri), iconic models, sketches, documents... The pieces are revealed thanks to an enchanting itinerary including permanent collection and ephemeral exhibitions. One of the highlights of the visit is the sublime staircase surrounded by 1,500 miniature cult pieces. A chic and original visit for fashion lovers and everyone else!
The Avenue Montaigne, running from the Pont de l'Alma to the Champs-Élysées roundabout, is one of the temples of haute couture in Paris. Along its 615 metres, the greatest fashion and luxury houses have followed one another since the designer Christian Dior set up his headquarters here after the Second World War. With its private gardens, sublime town houses, elegant boutiques, the palace Plaza Athénée and the theatre des Champs-Élysées, Avenue Montaigne is well worth a visit.
© Guy Marineau
After starting out with Christian Dior in 1957, Yves Saint Laurent made a name for himself in the world of haute couture, going on to become one of France's greatest designers. The fashion house's historic headquarters are located on Avenue Marceau, which in 2017 became a dedicated museum. The secrets of the couturier's life, his finest creations, his passion for the arts... The 450 m² space invites visitors to wander between exhibition areas, contemplate exceptional pieces and drawings, discover manufacturing secrets through interviews and even discover the reconstructed workshop of Yves Saint Laurent. Some 5,000 outfits, 15,000 accessories and tens of thousands of sketches, plates, photos and documents are preserved here and revealed over time. Fascinating!
© Ricardo Tinelli
Paris, its nightlife, its cabarets... Opened in 1951, the Crazy Horse Paris is a must-see Parisian nightclub. Since its opening, Crazy Horse Paris has attracted visitors from all over the world. The group of Crazy Girls - the cabaret's dancers - perform spellbinding choreographies in a glamorous setting with perfectly orchestrated lighting effects... The cabaret invites spectators into a world of celebration and glamour that leaves no one indifferent. Crazy Horse Paris regularly invites guest-stars to come up on stage and perform: Dita Von Teese, Arielle Dombasle, Pamela Anderson, Clotilde Courau, Noémie Lenoir, Conchita Wurst, Violet Chachki**... A unique and typically Parisian experience!
© Paris je t'aime - Amélie Dupont
The Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris occupies the east wing of the Palais de Tokyo, the other part of which is occupied by the museum of the same name. It presents modern art in all its forms: painting, sculpture, installation, photography and video. With a collection of more than 15,000 works - some of them by Pablo Picasso, Juan Gris, Henri Matisse, Alberto Giacometti, Georges Braque and Yves Klein - it highlights different artistic movements of the 20th century, including cubism, the School of Paris, abstraction and new realism. After taking in the sights, stop off at one of the restaurants set up on the forecourt for a break with a view of the Seine.
The Eiffel Tower, Trocadero, the Invalides, Pont Alexandre III: a walk with extravagance as the theme
Royal palaces, magnificent gardens,outstanding museums, a triumphal arch ... discover this unique perspective!
