The iconic cultural space 'Grand Palais' on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, France, has fully reopened to the public after a four-year renovation. Led by Châtillon Architects, the project is the largest restoration in the 120-year history of the building, which was built for the 1900 World's Fair.
The restoration work began with the opening of the glass atrium, the 'Nave', the core space of the building ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Since then, the entire 77,000 square meters of the building have been renovated, greatly improving its accessibility and usability for the public. Based on over 3,000 old drawings, Châtillon Architects has restored the original architectural structure while breathing new life into it by incorporating modern technologies and services.
Inside, new exhibition spaces, restaurants, and circulation areas have been created, and 40 elevators and 30 staircases have been newly installed to provide free access for the disabled and elderly. The restoration reopened the previously hidden central axis of the building, creating a new experience of viewing from Place Jean Perrin to the Seine. For the first time since 1937, the wall that had separated the Nave and the Palais de la Decouverte has been removed.
The reopening of the Grand Palais is not a simple restoration, but a contemporary redefinition of a cultural heritage. “We wanted to preserve the identity of this monumental building while transforming it into an experience for a new generation,” says François Chatillon, founder of Chatillon Architects. In his words, the building has become more than just an exhibition space; it has become a space that can respond flexibly to changing cultural and technological needs.
The interior partitions have been replaced with glass, allowing natural light to flow in and revealing the original form of the building. The 150 windows, large doors, sculptures, and decorative elements have also been meticulously restored to bring back the architectural beauty. The café 'Le Réséda' and the brasserie 'Le Grand Café', designed by Joseph Dirand, offer visitors a new space to relax.
