The beauty and grandeur of the Grand Palais never ceases to amaze me.I was there the other day to see the Christian Boltanksi Monumenta installation and for some inexplicable reason it underwhelmed me. My eye kept going to the stunning architectural details. Instead of snapping photos of the piles of old clothes strewn on the floor from the Boltanksi exhibit, I took some of the best photos I think I have ever taken of the the mustard colored fancy ironwork, the sweeping staircases, and the ornately embellished columns.
Currently the largest existing ironwork and glass structure in the world- 162,000 square feet- the Belle Epoque Palace was built for the 1900 World's Fair by three architects.Henri-Adolphe-Auguste Deglane was assigned the front section, Albert Louvet was given the middle, Albert-Félix-Théophile Thomas the posterior and the head architect was Charles-Louis Girault. It was also referred to as Beaux-Arts style architecture.
Grand Palais
Avenue Winston Churchill, 8th arr.
Metro: Champs Elysees-Clemenceau
Night photo
Coming soon: Eye Prefer New York Tours
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte’s professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 3 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
These are some of your most beautiful photographs. Thank you for sharing the splendor of Paris!
Posted by: herman | February 03, 2010 at 12:14 PM
you're so right !! it's so goooood to see your photos and remind us the beautiful town we live in !!! it's soooo impressive the Grand Palais !!! for me it's a real jewelry lesson !!!
thank's for your work !!!
Posted by: alina | February 03, 2010 at 01:06 PM
The photos of the Grand Palais are wonderful and the structure, breathtaking. So glad to get gems like this in my email everyday. Thanks so much.
Happy (belated) Birthday as well.
Posted by: bob | February 03, 2010 at 01:43 PM
Thanks for showing us some of the highlights of Paris that we NEVER see anywhere else.
Posted by: TravelingProf | February 03, 2010 at 02:39 PM
I quite agree; these are your best photos! Happy belated birthday. Sorry our paths didn't cross again while I was in Paris. Until next time...
Posted by: 'Vanessa' | February 03, 2010 at 03:21 PM
Oh, these are really wonderful, Richard!
In four trips, I am ashamed to say I have yet to go inside either the Petit or Grand Palais. I will rectify that in May.
Posted by: Style Spy | February 03, 2010 at 04:37 PM
What an elegant time for architecture and creativity. Thanks for the beautiful photos at unusual angles. A must for my next trip.
Posted by: Jean P in MN | February 03, 2010 at 05:57 PM
These are all super, Richard. My favorite is the underside of the staircase: it really shows off the sinuous line that is so characteristic of the decoration and graphic art of the period (see google images of Alphonse Mucha).
Posted by: judy | February 03, 2010 at 06:44 PM
I am reading "Is Paris Burning" by Larry Collings and Dominique Lapierre (an old book) but the chapter last night described the bombing of the Grand Palais!!! Now today I see you glorious photos! It is a good read and will make you love Paris all the more!
Posted by: Jeanne | February 03, 2010 at 06:45 PM
Lovely architectural detail photos! SInce that kind of photography is my profession, I always enjoy your architectural shots. Doorways and details. Paris is SO full of little views that only take a few seconds to stop and look to see.
Posted by: Anne | February 03, 2010 at 06:46 PM
Your blog pictures today are stunning, just stunning, especially the paired columns.
Posted by: david | February 03, 2010 at 06:49 PM
I absolutely adore the architectural details of the Grand Palais!
Posted by: bill | February 04, 2010 at 08:52 AM
Absolutely exquisite!
Posted by: cheryl | February 04, 2010 at 08:53 AM
your pictures, as usual are not only beautifully done but well appreciated by me (and often shared)..
Posted by: catharine | February 04, 2010 at 09:38 PM