The Petit Palais; the museum and its garden

The Petit Palais is an unmissable Parisian monument that was built as part of the Universal Exhibition of 1900. Located at the bottom of the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, next to the Grand Palais, this Beaux-Arts style museum is well worth visiting for its appealing architecture, the fine exhibitions it presents throughout the year, and for its charming café, ideal for a snack or lunch break.

A wealth of permanent exhibitions

From 1902 the Petit Palais became the home of the Palais des Beaux-Arts of the City of Paris, housing a permanent collection of fine arts from antiquity to the dawn of the 20th century. Reopened in 2005 following renovations, the Petit Palais now holds almost 20,000 works, including Greek-Roman antiquities, Medieval and Renaissance art objects, 18th-century French art collections, the largest collection of icons in France, various artistic masterpieces and many other major works, including several by Gustave Courbet, the leader of the Realism movement in 19th century French painting. For the past ten years, the Petit Palais has also highlighted the 8th art by hosting major photographic exhibitions.

A wide selection of temporary exhibitions

Like any museum, the Petit Palais regularly hosts temporary exhibitions that we invite you to discover in the space located on the Cours de la Reine.

Until October 14th, 2018, you can see The Impressionists in London, an exhibition dedicated to French artists in exile across the Channel between 1870 and 1904. It traces the little-known history of the artists who fled France to take refuge in London at the time of the Franco-Prussian war and the Paris Commune.

The Petit Palais also hosts, until mid-October, the exhibition called The Colourful Realm of Living Beings by the Japanese painter Itō Jakuchū. This remarkable example of 18th century Japanese polychrome painting, created over nearly a decade, consists of a set of 30 hanging scrolls depicting beautifully stylised representations of flowers, fish, and birds.

From October 14th, 2018 until January 13th, 2019 you can also enter the world of Valérie Jouve, the renowned French photographer whose work, since the mid-90s, has mainly focused on the question of the relation of humans to their space.

And to relax; the restaurant area and the indoor garden

Following the splendid renovation of the Petit Palais, which took place in 2005, a contemporary and warm restaurant area now opens onto a superb tropically-inspired interior garden. You will be transported to a picturesque and surprising world in which a basin lined with mosaics sparkles amidst exotic vegetation. Every day (except Monday) you can enjoy a snack break or lunch offered until 19:30, featuring dishes from a simple and original menu selection based on a fashionable cuisine for a reasonable price. Late opening is scheduled on Fridays for temporary exhibitions. Take this opportunity to extend your visit to this fabulous architectural gem dating from 1900!