Petit Palais

Just like the Grand Palais, the Petit Palais was built in just three years for the 1900 universal exhibition! Both museums were the creation of a team of architects overseen by Charles Girault. The chief architect signed the design of the Petit Palais’ entrance door which is simply magnificent!

The Petit Palais houses the museum of fine arts and its architectural style reflects that perfectly. It is a blend of classic architecture, notably with its Ionian columns, mixed with the architecture movement that was in fashion at the time: Art Nouveau.

Art Nouveau is well represented in the museum with the masters of the genre: decorative pieces such as vases by Emile Gallé and René Lalique; and furniture by Hector Guimard, the visionary man who designed the 1900 Paris Metro entrances among many other things.