Entry into the Grand Palais is free of charge and when you see the building's exterior you'll immediately decide that you must go inside. It's stunning, though you'll soon realize that the part you most wanted to see - the glass enclosed space - might not be open to you. Visiting in May, the glass-domed space was locked tight, opened only for special shows and events. I've looked at the calendar now, in June, and see that they open it for many summer activities and were I there now I'd certainly try to get tickets for one of those events. Otherwise? This is still a worthy investment of time, not just to look around and peer into the glass-domed space, but to view the exhibits (individually priced, tickets available at the door). I noticed 3 special exhibits during my visit and paid for entry to 2 (Matisse and Nan Golden). Based on this experience, I'd recommend paying for entry to the exhibits of artists you're least familiar with under the assumption that they'll be less crowded. The Matissse exhibit was crowded enough to render the experience almost unpleasant. The Nan Golden show? Perfect. Though I'd recommend paying to see some exhibits, even if all you do is enter to walk around and explore the space you'll be nicely rewarded. The Grand Palais has some pleasant, quiet seating areas inside and the space is lovely. read more

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What a cool venue! I hear that the Grand Palais just recently reopened and Chanel chose this location to debut their fall/Winter collection for 2025. Such a massive event with hundreds of guest and press. Chanel were the ultimate host arranging different special events throughout Paris and hosting several meals and providing chauffeured driver services for us. All culminating to the main event. The pigeon tried stealing the show. read more

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Went to see Art Basel exhibit this place was eclectic I saw so many forms of art that I would not even think would be considered art. It expanded my understanding and imagination had me yearning for more room to room. They had a bar for drinks or coffee a variety of beverages and foods. I'd love to visit again read more

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Could not purchase a ticket in their website. Confusing information. Unsure if I needed to buy a general pass AND an exhibit pass, or just an exhibit pass. Poor logic on registration and purchasing process. Tried 5 times with no way to continue after confirming email 5 times. They clearly don't hire good designers. read more

Visiting the Grand Palais was one of my trip highlights. The buiding was absolutely stunning with its intricate details and massive glass dome. The natural light streaming through the glass ceiling created an atmosphere that was so unique. I was there during Art Basel Paris 2024. The Grand Palais is a great experience just to see the architecture or to attend an event. The convenient location near the Champs-Elysees made it a great stop for our sightseeing itinerary. I would highly recommend checking ahead to see what is going on because the events and exhibitions vary. It was an unforgettable experience and place with the perfect melding of art, culture and history. read more

The Location: Metro #1 & 13, Exit "Champs Elysees Clemenceau". The metro station is right next to the museum. This building from 1900 is home to the Galeries Nationales where prestigious exhibitions are held. So much to see, you can definitely spend a few hours here. It is also an architectural gem too!! Totally perfect photograph spot~ There is another museum across street. read more

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Cartier is an icon, having adorned royalty and celebrities for decades, the pieces on display at the Grand Palais in Paris until February 16, 2014 are breathtaking. The only Cartier piece not shown is Elizabeth Taylor's 69.42 carat diamond, but with so many other dazzling works of art, it was not missed. Many tiaras and crowns were on a rotating display as you entered the room and the necklace and matching bracelet privately commissioned by Maharajas of Patiala could be the budget of a small country today. Definitely worth the price of admission! read more

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Came to Le Grand Palais for the first time to see the Picasso Exhibit. We had purchased tickets ahead of time, along w/ the audio tour, & their ticketing system is great! You receive a mobile ticket which ensures no loss of paper - and with their free wifi inside the museum, it's easy to produce your entry pass The museum itself is lovely in setup an very easy to get around - nice signage and the rooms are very easy to maneuver And their cafe is awesome - lattes are strong and evenly balanced and their croissants are on par with my alltime favorites, Eric Kayser. They were tender, flaky and fresh as could be - do not pass up the cafe!! The exhibit was interesting in that it did not really showcase works by Picasso but of the variety of artists who were influenced by Picasso. Interesting indeed Would look very forward to another exhibit during our next visit in the City of Lights read more

Grand Palais - Picasso Exhibit - Cultural Center Near Me - Paris, 75

Checked out the building. Always fascinated by the enormous glass top; steel, glass, and concrete can be a great combination. There was an art show going on. It was a kind of trade show---felt like a convention center thing. read more

This is a beautiful exhibition hall with fantastic appearance on both the inside and the outside. This particular place houses some of the coolest shows and conventions and is extremely gorgeous from the inside out. The architecture and statues are some of the most picturesque things you'll see and it is located right off of the historic Champs Élysées. read more

This was not a good time spent in Paris with only 3 days left to go. Crazy so many people allowed to get in at the same time, it is almost impossible to linger in front of a piece that I would have wanted to contemplate, no benches or divans to meditate in front of the art, awful experience with Gauguin's art almost fuzzy in the background with so many heads and necks and bodies trying to get access to the ouvre . Even more difficult is trying to read the legends next to each piece. By the way, gauguin's ceramics were literally horrendous. Skip it! read more

One of the finest exhibition halls in the world, the Grand Palais is a work of art itself and worth visiting over and over. I've seen a number of shows here. The highlight for me was Monumenta by Anish Kapoor in 2011. I'm still pissed I didn't see the Ed Hopper exhibit here in 2012 - it wasn't for lack of trying. I went for 3 walk-in attempts only to be met with 4 hour lines in the rain each time. There are usually several shows happening at the Grand Palais. You can usually purchase a pass for multiple shows or select a single exhibit. Right now and through July 13 there is a show that should not be missed - Robert Mapplethorpe. In my opinion, this is THE exhibit to see in Paris at the moment - a coup for this hall. It's the largest museum retrospective ever dedicated to Mapplethorpe with over 250 images covering a broad range of his work. Mapplethorpe's stir in the 70s and 80s was much about the shock value of gay culture in New York City at that time. During his life (and since), he and his work received a lot of attention for this, but the perspective we get from both time and a broader look (like this show) provide, perhaps, a more balanced view. Arguably, this gives a better, fuller picture of the man, his vision and his art. Mapplethorpe covered many topics including flowers, portraits of the day's pop icons, Patti Smith (they lived together for several years), nude models posed like sculptures and of course graphic sexuality and gay culture. His self-portraits in this show are amazing. In 1980 he took back-to-back selfies, in one he's decked out in leather and in the other he's wearing full make-up - portraits of tough and tender I suppose. It's less the novelty of the juxtaposition (its been done many times), and more his own expression captured forever there. One of his better known self-portraits (Bullwhip 1978) shows him with his back to the camera and one foot up on a chair, bent over and a bull whip inserted in his ass - in one sense I wish I could unsee that, but in another sense its one of the more memorable pictures in this show. Mapplethorpe has craned around and is looking over his shoulder straight at the camera - fully in command of what he was doing and why he was doing it. So on one hand, there is a lot of balance here - the many portraits and flowers (which are probably some of the least seen of Mapplethorpe's images), and a fair number of nudes. In a sense this "balance" may actually skew the scale of his archive. The bulk of his work was concerned with people - their shapes, passions, physicality, and sexuality - with much emphasis on BDSM and sadomasochistic themes. So, it might be a bit misleading to be so balanced as to tip the scales with so much other stuff. Maybe this makes the exhibit a bit more palatable for the general public. Maybe this gives us a better understanding of the range of his talent and vision. Maybe this is what we are supposed to be thinking about when we see Mapplethorpe's work in this context. Go see for yourself if you can. It's amazing. http://www.grandpalais.fr/en/event/robert-mapplethorpe read more

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Went here hoping to get a look at the best part of the building, the roof. Nope, you can't even see it. I asked when can you see it? "It's never open". Clearly meaning it's not open often. Asked someone else, September... So the best part about this place, you can't even view - poor form Paris! The other exhibits - expensive for what you get - def not worth it unless you have days to kill like we did (which still was a waste of our time). Skip it! read more

This year they installed an ice skating rink here for the winter and spiced it up with a DJ, disco ball, and cool lights that lit up the glass ceiling. The Venue was beautiful! They charged 20 euros to skate at night and 12 during the day. The ice rink got a little crowded but overall I had a blast! read more

Grand Palais - Ice skating on Thursday night! - Cultural Center Near Me - Paris, 75

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I saw the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition which ran from 1 April-3 August 2015 featuring creations from the French fashion designer produced between 1979-2013. Without any formal training, Gaultier was hired by Pierre Cardin on his 18th birthday. This landmark exhibition showcased Gaultier's journey in ready-to-wear to his own haute couture house. Also featured were drawings, pictures, stage costumes worn by Madonna, the marinière, and his reworked corsets. The animated mannequins were fascinating. There are exhibits throughout the year at The Grand Palais. Buy your tickets in advance at grandpalais.fr to avoid the lines which are outdoors in the elements. You can also fast-track the que based on your reservation time. The National Art Galleries are located in the glass-roofed exhibition hall that was built for the 1900 World's Fair. Mexique (1900-1950) could have had a better traffic flow. I enjoyed the exhibit but I wished for more Frida Kahlo. Both young and old seemed to enjoy the Herge' (The pen name for the cartoonist who created "The Adventures of Tintin.") exhibition. Closed on Tuesday. www.grandpalais.fr read more

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Went to see Diplo last night here. The architecture is simply spectacular. The inside is more like a convention center, but it was definitely the most impressive convention center I ever saw. The entire ceiling was this glass dome which allowed you to literally dance the night away. There were mant things to do including get snacks, play with old school arcade games, or just star gaze. Of course Diplo was awesome, but some of the staff were definitely more totalitarian as opposed to just authoritative. They would ask you to sit somewhere else if you sat on the floor or steps, and then when you sat on the seats, they would ask you why you were sitting on the seats. Also the coat staff was completely incompetent, because they LOST MY FRIEND'S JACKET. So yeah, awesome venue, but awesome staff, not so much. read more

On my second trip to Paris, I went to see the Vasquez exhibition here featuring many of his major works of art and that of his apprentice. The curated collection was well set and transitioned between rooms. And the best part was perhaps feeling the life progression and talent of such a remarkable painter. Will certainly visit the museum again on my next trip to Paris to view other exhibitions! read more

So inexplicably beautiful inside and out. I literally cried inside at the opulence it gets you it is so majestic