The glass nave
Standing beneath Europe's largest glass roof, its light newly washed by restoration — alone worth the ticket of whatever event runs under it.
daryl_mitchell from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Ștefan Jurcă from Paris, France — CC BY 2.0 · Thesupermat — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Photograph: Eric Pouhier, Modifier: Rainer Zenz, Niabot (last modification) — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Grand Palais was built for the 1900 World's Fair "to the glory of French art," as its façade declares, and its immense glass roof — Europe's largest glass nave, six thousand tonnes of iron outweighing the Eiffel Tower — has just emerged from the most thorough restoration in its history, crowned by hosting the fencing of the Paris 2024 Olympics in scenes that travelled the world. It is not a museum with a permanent collection but the grandest event hall on earth: blockbuster art exhibitions rotate through its wings, the great international art and fashion fairs convene under the glass nave, and a famous ice rink rises inside it every winter. Your visit therefore depends on the programme — check the official site and book whatever falls on your dates. Even from outside it earns a stop: the classical colonnaded façades, the winged bronze quadrigas on its corners, and a perfect position between the Champs-Élysées, Pont Alexandre III and the free Petit Palais across the street.
Standing beneath Europe's largest glass roof, its light newly washed by restoration — alone worth the ticket of whatever event runs under it.
The grand retrospectives that headline Europe's cultural seasons happen here — if one coincides with your trip, it IS your trip's event.
Each winter the glass hall becomes the world's largest indoor ice rink — a seasonal Paris experience like no other.
Avenue Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris
Petit PalaisThe best cultural bargain in all Paris stands opposite the Grand Palais, and mos2 minutes walk4.6
Pont Alexandre IIIParis has thirty-seven bridges over the Seine, and only one everybody agrees is 4 minutes walk4.7
The Esplanade des InvalidesA wide rectangular green space running from the front of the Hôtel des Invalides7 minutes walk4.7
place de la ConcordeThe largest square in Paris, and the one with the greatest historical shiver: he8 minutes walk4.7
Musée de l'OrangerieIn the western corner of the Tuileries, inside a former royal orange-house, wait10 minutes walk4.5Looking for halal food near Grand Palais? There are several options nearby, from Moroccan and Indian kitchens to quick casual spots and places with a view. Confirm the halal status and opening hours before you go — these can change.
New JawadHalalNew Jawad is an Indo-Pakistani restaurant on Avenue Rapp, a short walk from the 14 minutes walk · $$$4.4
Ministry of SpiceHalalModern halal Indian cooking, the sit-down option for an unhurried dinner. About 21 minutes walk · $$$
Berkeley GardenHalalHalal Indian cooking that suits families and group dinners, about eight minutes'12 minutes walk · $$$
Snack&RushHalalHalal fast food at budget prices, about five minutes' walk from the tower. The m23 minutes walk · $
NouraHalalNoura is not a discovery; it is the institution every Arab visitor to Paris has 12 minutes walk · $$$4.5
Paris Marriott Champs-ÉlyséesThe Paris Marriott Champs-Élysées is one of a very small number of hotels with a10 minutes walk · $$$4.4
Hôtel du CollectionneurL'Hôtel du Collectionneur is a large five-star on Rue de Courcelles near Parc Mo15 minutes walk · $$$4.1
Four Seasons George VThe George V is the benchmark the rest of luxury Paris is measured against. It o11 minutes walk · $$$$4.9
Prince de GallesThe Prince de Galles is a direct neighbour of the George V on the same avenue, b12 minutes walk · $$$$4.4Yes, for ten exterior minutes: the façade, the bronze quadrigas and Pont Alexandre III make one continuous picture — and the free Petit Palais opposite compensates with its permanent collection.
Twins born for the 1900 Fair: the Grand is a ticketed events-and-exhibitions hall, the Petit is the City of Paris fine-arts museum with a free permanent collection — complementary, not competing.