Grand Palais Éphémère Paris
A modular palace
If you have already visited, or even only heard of Paris’ Grand Palais you may be wondering why and how it has suddenly become "ephemeral". No need to panic: the Grand Palais isn’t going anywhere! However, it is being restored and whilst that is happening the events hosted in the Grand Palais will take place in its temporary counterpart instead, aka the "Grand Palais éphémère" which opened its doors in June 2021. The 10,000 m² structure is located on the Champ-de-Mars and is 20 metres high (so as not to hide the Ecole militaire) but those are the least impressive of its features.
The project was commandeered by Réunion des musées nationaux - Rmn (a cultural public body) and entrusted to the architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte and GL Events. It was conceived to be as eco-friendly as possible. The modular structure was assembled on the spot in less than three months (watch the trailer!) and can easily be disassembled and reassembled elsewhere, using the same or a different configuration. Its wooden skeleton is composed of 44 wooden arches made from 500 tons of wood sourced from a sustainably managed forest. The building is, furthermore, energy-efficient and sound-insulated.
The "Grand Palais éphémère" is set to host all sorts of events till the 2024 summer Olympics and should disappear shortly thereafter… But who knows… maybe it will have the same fate as the Eiffel Tower and stay put in the end? That would definitely be ironic seeing as they face each other!
Explore cities like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Paris guide.
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Paris
Brentano's – Beautiful stationery
In this shop you can find postcards for any type of event, time of the year, or type of person, from the most artistic and stylish to naif types.
By
Constan
Longares Barrio
Chess shop "Variantes" – Queens Gambit Heaven
They have playing boards of all sizes and materials. Professional ones, amateur ones, wooden, plastic, glass, metallic...
By
Constan
Longares Barrio
Abbey bookshop – Canadian Bookshop
Although offering a wide variety of Canadian books, its main attraction is an eclectic collection of over 35,000 titles in English ranging from scholarly to popular literature.
By
Constan
Longares Barrio
Le Cirque Bar and Restaurant – Lavish Sunday brunch
"Le Cirque Bar and Restaurant" just in front of Centre Pompidou, Paris, is a great place for Sunday brunch. I like how the kitchen is hidden behind glass.
By
Constan
Longares Barrio
Espace Niemeyer – Headquarters of the PCF
"Espace Niemeyer" in Paris is home to the French Communist Party, but also a space dedicated to artistic expression and creative architecture...
By
Alix
Mengin
Brasserie Hector – Fine French food
"Brasserie Hector" is a great place in Paris to have nice lunch on a weekday. Their prices are not that cheap, but for the quality you get it's worth it!
By
Constan
Longares Barrio
Clos Montmartre – A hidden vineyard in Paris
"Clos Montmartre" is one of five remaining vineyards in central Paris! Their presence dates back to the 10th century...
By
Alix
Mengin
Cimetière du Montparnasse – A green cemetery
"Cimetière du Montparnasse" is not only a cemetery but also one of Paris' biggest green spaces. Many world-famous people are buried here, too...
By
Alix
Mengin
Le Réservoir de Montsouris – Water in Paris
"Le Réservoir de Montsouris" is the biggest water reservoir in Paris. It's a truly impressive structure that's more than 150 years old...
By
Alix
Mengin
Librairie Galignani – A bookstore with a history
"Librairie Galignani" in Paris is a bookshop with a long history and is without a doubt one of the city's most beautiful!
By
Alix
Mengin
Beaupassage – An open-air food court
The "Beaupassage" in Paris is just as much a space dedicated to food as it is to nature and art. It's a 10,000 m² courtyard completed in 2018...
By
Alix
Mengin
Théâtre de La Huchette – Spectacle Ionesco
"Théâtre de La Huchette" in Paris is known for its Spectacle Ionesco, which has hosted performances of the famous Romanian playwright since 1957...
By