If you are traveling to Paris, be sure to visit the Grand Palais, which has been renovated and is now open to visitors!
French studio Chatillon Architectes has completed the final stage of the renovation of the historic Grand Palais on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Following the restoration of the iconic glass-covered atrium (canopy) in 2024 for the Olympic Games, the entire 77,000 sq m building is now fully open to visitors and will temporarily house the Pompidou Centre.
This stage of the project focuses on reopening and reconnecting the interior space of the Grand Palais, providing full public access. François Chatiot notes that this has allowed for the "rediscovery of forgotten spaces and hidden treasures." Restaurants and modernized galleries have been added, some of which are already being used by the Centre Pompidou during its own restoration. Among the current exhibitions are Fun Palace – a pink textile structure designed by Studio Ossidiana in Rotterdam as a habitable "living laboratory."
Châtillon described the unveiling of the canopy in 2024 as a powerful moment for the Grand Palais' most iconic space. The second phase, he explains, focuses on reconnecting the vast building—combining old and new to unlock its full potential. The goal is to enhance the visitor experience through new services and access, transforming the way the building is used by future generations.
The Grand Palais, built for the 1900 Paris World's Fair, is undergoing its first major restoration, led by Chatillon Architectes. Designed in the Beaux-Arts style by Henri Deglane, Albert Louvet, and Albert Thomas under the direction of Charles Giro, it remains one of the most iconic symbols of Paris.
The Grand Palais, built for the 1900 Paris World's Fair, is undergoing its first major restoration, led by Chatillon Architectes. Designed in the Beaux-Arts style by Henri Deglane, Albert Louvet, and Albert Thomas under the direction of Charles Giro, it remains one of the most iconic symbols of Paris.
The galleries were renovated with modern lighting and adaptive technical infrastructure suitable for various exhibitions. Chatión shares that the goal was to create modular and sustainable spaces that meet the needs of various cultural institutions. The Centre Pompidou, which is temporarily using part of them, has managed to seamlessly integrate its identity and programme into the renovated Grand Palais.
Two new restaurants have been added, and internal circulation has been optimized with 40 new elevators, complementing the existing 30 staircases. Statues, balconies, and 150 of the Grand Palais' enormous windows have also been restored.
A non-original wall between the canopy and the Palais de la Découverte, the museum in the building, was removed, restoring a view that had been invisible since 1937. "Visitors will now experience the Grand Palais as a single space," said Châtillon. "With restored connections and views lost for decades, the building will feel like it has been rediscovered."
To complete the project, Chatillon Architectes studied around 3,000 archive plans and held in-depth discussions with the new partners. Chatillon described the process as a fascinating journey to create flexible, adaptable spaces and realize a new vision.
Chatillon hopes the studio’s herculean restoration project can exemplify how „working with heritage buildings offers more than just restoration or demolition“.
„Buildings should evolve over time, keeping the best of what’s still here while adding opportunities for transformation and adaptation to meet the needs of contemporary society, without having to change the character of the building,“ he concluded.
„Rather than pristine but obsolete examples of the past, subtle and sensitive work can be done to ensure buildings remain relevant and used.“
Chatillon Architectes, led by François and Simon Chatillon, operates in Paris, Ferney-Voltaire, and Geneva. Among their latest projects is the conversion of a post office building in Brest into a residential complex with a glass brick façade. The restoration of the Grand Palais was named the most significant building for 2024 in Dezeen's ranking of the 25 most important buildings of the 21st century.
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