Review: Grand Palais

What's this museum really known for?
There’s a reason Chanel holds its runway shows in the nave of this stately Beaux Arts museum-exhibition space, which is all done up in glass, stone, and steel: it's an emblem of French grandeur and architectural prowess. Originally built as an exhibition hall for the World’s Fair of 1900, today the Grand Palais hosts legendary fashion shows, theatrical performances, sporting events like the Saut Hermès, food and literary festivals, and temporary artistic exhibitions. With its glass dome, visible from far across the river, the Grand Palais is a must-visit cultural destination for all travelers to Paris.

So what will we find among the collection?
The west wing houses the Palais de la Découverte, a science museum opened in 1937; the east wing is reserved for art, fashion, and other events. Much of the blockbuster art and photography exhibitions take place here, from the first Henri Matisse retrospective after his death to Anish Kapoor’s Leviathan. It’s always exciting and fresh.

How's it laid out?
With the largest glass roof in Europe, the nave—home to the fashion shows, Paris Biennale, book fairs, food festivals, and more—feels much like a greenhouse. As such, the space can get very warm in summer, when the sun beams through the glass canopy. Other wings, including the science museum, feel majestic but intimate, and are just as notable for their architecture as they for whatever's on display. The science museum, for example, has a grand, elliptical atrium and floors covered in a porcelain stoneware mosaic.

Who comes here?
The crowds vary greatly depending on what's on view. But this is generally a spot for in-the-know art and culture fiends who have already seen Paris’ other key museums.

How about the facilities—is it easy to navigate? How will visitors with limited mobility fare?
The museum is easy to get around, and there are plenty of spaces to sit.

Any good options for a bite to eat on site?
The primary restaurant is the Seine-facing Mini Palais; in the warmer months, the terrace below the soaring imperial columns becomes one of the most coveted al fresco dining spots in the Golden Triangle. The menu, overseen by Eric Frechon, the three-Michelin-starred chef behind Le Bristol, rotates seasonally.

If we're short on time, is this museum still worth a visit?Go with a purpose; if there’s a special exhibition, get tickets in advance and carve out 60 to 90 minutes of time.