Grand Palais Paris reopens after years of renovation

The Grand Palais in Paris is finally reopening after a major renovation that began in 2020 and was delayed by the pandemic. The 77,000-square-meter glass-and-steel structure, originally built for the 1900 Universal Exposition, is the largest of its kind in Europe and a masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture. The restoration, led by Chatillon Architects with a budget of €466 million and involving 1,000 workers, aims to restore the original volumes and remove a wall added in 1937, allowing visitors to walk from east to west via a new entrance on Place Jean Perrin. The project also includes the restoration of original Art Nouveau decorative elements, though floors have been replaced controversially. The first public access will be for spectators of the taekwondo events at the Paris 2024 Olympics (July 26–August 11), after which the venue will close again to complete the second phase of work. It will partially reopen for Paris+ par Art Basel in October 2024, marking the first time the fair will be held in the main building, with capacity for up to 30% more galleries. In 2025, the Grand Palais will host a collaboration with the Centre Pompidou, which will be closed for renovation from 2025 to 2030. The first exhibition will feature Jean Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle, opening June 5, 2025. The Grand Palais has a complex history, serving as a military hospital during WWI, a Nazi storage and exhibition space, and a venue for FIAC and Paris Photo.