Great Palace

Built for the 1900 World Fair on the right bank of the Seine, the Grand Palais is a Beaux-Arts building with a 240-metre stone facade and a 45-metre glass and iron dome — the largest unsupported glass roof in Europe. Three architects — Henri Deglane, Albert Louvet and Albert Thomas — shared the work under the direction of Charles Girault, who also designed the Petit Palais opposite. Together with the Pont Alexandre III built for the same fair, they form the citys most important Belle Epoque ensemble. Over the years the Grand Palais has served as a military hospital, motor show, horse show, fashion fair and since the 1960s mostly as a temporary exhibition hall for the national museums. A full restoration from 2021 to 2024 returned the glass roof to its original brilliance. The south wing houses the Palais de la Decouverte, a popular science museum. In 2024 the Grand Palais hosted Olympic fencing and taekwondo.