In my last post I blogged about the Monumenta art installation at the Grand Palais in Paris.  The art exhibitions are amazing, but the building is blog-worthy as well.

Grand PalaisThe Grand Palais, Paris, France

The Grand Palais was constructed in 1900 for the Universal Exhibition. The Universal Exhibitions were world fairs, and some of the buildings created for these monumental events include the Crystal Palace in London, and the Eiffel Tower. A competition was held for the design, and the final was a collaborative effort between architects Henri Deglane, Albert Louvet, Albert Thomas, and coordinator Charles Girault.

Grand PalaisThe Grand Palais, Paris, France

The Grand Palais’ glass roof is the largest in Europe.The building is a complex that houses a science museum, the Galeries nationales (art collections), a restaurant, a central police station, rehearsal rooms and additional exhibition space.  Chanel hosts many fashion shows here each year.

Grand PalaisThe Nave, Grand Palais

The Nave is the central area of the building, and the best known part of the Palais, with its magnificent glass roof. (On a side note, FYI,  a “nave” is the central approach to the high altar of a church.)

grand palaisThe Nave, Grand Palais

Visit the official site to take a virtual tour – it is a beautiful journey online:  http://www.grandpalais.fr/visite/en/#/the-exploration/ If you can’t get to Paris to see it in person, this is the next best thing. Wow.

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