On March 12 2021, the Grand Palais closed to enter a four-year renovation phase. Since the summer of 2024, the iconic building is reopening in stages. Its renovation will be completed on June 6 2025, allowing visitors to enter previously unexploited areas for the first time.
The reasons for restoring the Grand Palais
Built by the French Republic for the 1900 Universal Exhibition, the Grand Palais has a remarkable heritage that has been enriched over the years. The Nave underwent major renovation in the early 2000s, with the restoration of its splendid glass roof and the strengthening of its foundations.
Subsequently, the South-East Gallery in 2011, the Salon d'Honneur in 2012, and the roofs and Rotunda of the Palais de la Découverte in 2017, have all been restored to their former glory.
The building has faced major technical challenges, with some areas remaining unused and some spaces temporarily inaccessible while awaiting compliance with safety standards.
The work undertaken from winter 2021 until the reopening of the Grand Palais aims to remedy these weaknesses while restoring the building to its former glory.
The major improvements include
Restoration of the original decor: the statues, façades and interior decor will be restored to their former glory.
Reopening perspectives: views between the Nave and the Palais de la découverte, as well as between the Champs-Élysées and the Seine, will be restored.
Making the most of natural light: the zenithal skylights will once again allow light to penetrate the entire monument.
Highlighting the changes made in the 1960s: the changes made by architect Pierre Vivien when the Galeries Nationales were created at the instigation of André Malraux will be brought back to the fore.
Modernised technical facilities: the monument will be equipped with new technologies to enhance the visitor experience.
Improved accessibility: special facilities will be put in place to facilitate access for people with reduced mobility.
Reopening in stages
From the summer of 2024, visitors will be able to access certain restored areas of the Grand Palais. They have already been able to rediscover the restored Nave of the building, first for the fencing and taekwondo events of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, then with the return of events under its glass roof from October.
In winter 2024, exhibitions gradually returned to the Grand Palais, delighting art and culture lovers. The first exhibitions to mark this renaissance are :
‘Chiharu Shiota - The Soul Trembles’ (December 11 2024 to March 19 2025): an immersion in the poetic, dreamlike world of the Japanese artist, known for her spectacular red-wire installations.
‘From the Heart to the Hand - Dolce&Gabbana (10 January to 31 March 2025): an exploration of the craftsmanship and creativity behind the creations of the Italian fashion house.
Discover our selection of not-to-be-missed exhibitions in Paris
A collaboration with the Centre Pompidou
From June 2025, the Grand Palais will reinforce its role as a major cultural venue by hosting an unprecedented collaboration with the Centre Pompidou. The Centre Pompidou, which will be closed for works between 2025 and 2030, will find the Grand Palais an ideal setting for presenting its collections and exhibitions.
After the reopening of the Grand Palais, four exhibitions a year will be co-produced equally by the two institutions, with flagship events such as:
‘Niki de Saint Phalle, Jean Tinguely, Pontus Hulten": a plunge into the artistic universe of these major figures in contemporary art.
‘Art Brut. In the intimacy of a collection. Donation Decharme au Centre Pompidou": an exploration of works of art brut, highlighting creations off the beaten track.
The summer Grand Palais: a new summer event
One of the major new features of the programme following the reopening of the Grand Palais is the creation of a summer season called ‘Grand Palais d'été’.
Each year, from June to August, the Nave will be transformed into a multi-purpose area, divided into three distinct zones, to host a rich programme of concerts, artistic performances, children's workshops and a variety of cultural events.
The aim of this initiative is to make the Grand Palais a place where people of all ages can live and meet, reinforcing its role as the cultural heart of Paris.
By The editor
The editorial staff of France.fr follows the trends and news of destinations to bring you stories from France that reveal its innovations and traditions that make you long to (re) discover its territories.