Located in the heart of Paris, the Petit Palais is a cultural and architectural gem. A veritable hymn to light, with its galleries lit by zenithal openings and its interior garden, this museum offers visitors a fascinating journey through the history of art. In this article, we present everything you need to know to prepare your visit to the Petit Palais.
The Petit Palais houses a rich permanent collection, presented over an area of 5,000 m². The tour retraces the history of art from Antiquity to the 1900s, with a clear educational focus. Permanent collections of paintings, sculptures, objets d'art and antiques cover a broad period from Antiquity to the early 20th century. Notable works include paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Fragonard, Courbet, Monet, Cézanne and Modigliani. The museum also boasts a rich collection of Frenchdecorative art, including goldsmiths' and ceramics.
The Petit Palais focuses on French art, but also presents works by foreign artists, including Italian and Flemish Renaissance paintings, Greek and Roman sculptures, and objets d'art from various periods and cultures. In addition to its permanent collections, the museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions on a variety of themes and featuring renowned artists.
Thehistory of the Petit Palais dates back to the1900 Exposition Universelle, when it was conceived with the Grand Palais and the Pont Alexandre III to form a spectacular architectural ensemble. Charles Girault, architect and winner of the Grand Prix de Rome in 1880, was commissioned to build the Petit Palais, which he designed in an eclectic style, combining different architectural elements such as reinforced concrete, marble mosaics and white stone. Contrary to tradition, the Petit Palais was designed from the outset to last, and became the Palais des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris in 1902.
The Petit Palais is renowned for the variety of its volumes, the ingenuity of its layout and the richness of its decor. The painted and sculpted decorations of the Petit Palais, which took over twenty years to complete (from 1903 to 1925), celebrate the City of Paris and the benefits of art. Among the many works of art adorning the Petit Palais are paintings, sculptures, ironwork, stained glass and mosaics.
We start with the monument's famous, imposing door, arguably the most beautiful door in Paris! The Petit Palais door is a remarkable architectural feature that contributes to the building's elegance and prestige. Designed by architect Charles Girault himself, this monumental gate features an imposing wrought-iron grille, decorated with the coat of arms of Paris. Hailed for its elegance and virtuosity of execution, the gate symbolizes the city's identity and cultural wealth. The gate serves as a majestic and welcoming entrance to the Petit Palais, inviting visitors to discover the artistic treasures and exceptional architecture of this fine arts museum. 
The museum's entrance hall houses 4 symbolist panels painted by Albert Besnard between 1903 and 1910. The main galleries feature vaulted ceilings painted by Cormon and Roll, depicting the history of ancient Paris and modern Paris respectively. The pavilions are decorated by Humbert and Picard, celebrating the intellectual triumph of Paris and the triumph of women. The garden peristyle is decorated with frescoes by Paul Baudoüin, a pupil of Puvis de Chavannes. The dome of the south-east rotunda is decorated by Maurice Denis, who traces the history of French art through portraits of the greatest artists, accompanied by their most famous works.
The staircases of the Petit Palais are an important architectural feature of the building, contributing to its beauty and harmony. Designed by Charles Girault, the staircases are made of reinforced concrete, a modern technique for the time, and are embellished with a refined and elegant wrought-iron banister, reflecting the architect's talent and technical mastery.
Today, the Petit Palais houses the rich collections of the City of Paris and regularly presents temporary exhibitions. Finally, it's worth mentioning that the Petit Palais has undergone several phases of renovation and modernization over the years to preserve its architectural heritage and enhance the visitor experience. Although smaller than its neighbor, the Grand Palais, it remains an architectural jewel that deserves our attention and bears witness to the extraordinary cultural heritage of the French capital.
Access to the permanent collections is free of charge and requires no reservation. Admission to temporary exhibitions is charged, with reduced rates for certain categories of visitor. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm, with a Friday night opening until 9pm for temporary exhibitions. For further information on prices and opening times, please visit the Petit Palais ticket office.
The Petit Palais is easily accessible by public transport. The nearest metro station is Champs-Elysées Clemenceau (lines 1 and 13). You can also take the RER C to Invalides station, or bus lines 28, 42, 72, 73, 80, 83 and 93.
To make the most of your visit, don't forget to download the Petit Palais app, which features an interactive map, information on the works and themed tours. Services for disabled visitors are also available, including audio guides, strollers and a checkroom. The museum is child-friendly, with dedicated trails for younger visitors.
The Petit Palais regularly offers guided tours, workshops and courses to help you explore the collections in greater depth. Visit the museum's website for details of upcoming activities.
The Petit Palais garden is a haven of peace in the heart of Paris. Surrounded by the horseshoe-shaped building, it offers visitors a haven of greenery and tranquillity. The garden is laid out around a central pool, with flower beds, shrubs and sculptures. The garden's peristyle, which surrounds the space, is decorated with frescoes by Paul Baudoüin, illustrating the hours of day and night and the seasons.
The garden is not only a place for relaxation and contemplation, but also an open-air exhibition space for certain works of art. The café-restaurant , which is open continuously from breakfast to late afternoon, also offers a breathtaking panorama.
Other sites nearby
The Petit Palais is close to many other Paris museums and monuments, including the Grand Palais, the Champs-Élysées, the Musée d'Art Moderne, the Place de la Concorde, the Jardin des Tuileries and the Pont Alexandre III. Don't hesitate to extend your visit to discover these other treasures of the capital.
The Petit Palais is a must-see for art and architecture lovers, offering an exceptional setting for discovering the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions. With free admission and a wide range of services and activities, it caters for all ages, from the very young to art history enthusiasts. Last but not least, its ideal location will enable you to discover other emblematic sites in the capital. Plan your visit to the Petit Palais now and marvel at the cultural richness of this unique venue.
Darkness and light: the retrospective exhibition on the painter Ribera at the Petit Palais
The Petit Palais is organizing a retrospective exhibition in tribute to one of the greatest painters of his time: Jusepe de Ribera. Come and discover the works of this artist of contrasts, with the exhibition Darkness and Light, from November 5, 2024 to February 23, 2025. [Read more]
Bruno Liljefors, wild Sweden: the poetic exhibition unveiled in pictures at the Petit Palais
New Scandinavian artist honored at the Petit Palais in Paris! From October 1, 2024 to February 16, 2025, take a voyage of discovery through wild Sweden and its animals, with a brand-new exhibition devoted to Bruno Liljefors, featuring paintings, drawings and photographs. [Read more]
We are here: the free urban art exhibition is extended at the Petit Palais - photo
You'd never expect to see urban art in a fine arts museum... And yet that's exactly what the We are here exhibition offers, on view free of charge from June 12, 2024 to January 19, 2025. [Read more]
The Petit Palais café-restaurant in Paris is transformed into a concept store
Ideally nestled in the heart of the Petit Palais, in a lush setting, the café-restaurant is sure to seduce. This autumn, the spot is transformed into an innovative concept store, with a menu designed by Amandine Chaignot and pastries by Claire Heitzler. We tell you all about it. [Read more]
The Jardin du Petit Palais, a hidden gem with terrace and café-restaurant
At the heart of the Petit Palais, which is freely accessible to all, all year round, lies an exotic, verdant garden. Like a veritable oasis, it's the ideal setting for a drink in the sun. There's a café-restaurant with a pleasant terrace and deckchairs set up around the peristyle. [Read more]
Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.
Dates and Opening Time
Starts December 17, 2024
Location
Petit Palais
Avenue Winston Churchill
75008 Paris 8
Prices
Free
Official website
www.petitpalais.paris.fr
