Museum In Paris: Why Visit The Petit Palais?
Looking for an affordable visit idea in the capital? If you love museums, gardens, and tea rooms, look no further and go explore the hidden treasures of the Petit Palais! With its majestic architecture, free collections, garden sheltered from the city's hustle and bustle, and its café-restaurant, the Petit Palais in Paris is a little-known gem. Here are 5 good reasons to visit this museum.
1- For its grandiose architecture.
Contrary to what its name might suggest, the Petit Palais in Paris has little to envy from its illustrious neighbor, the Grand Palais! When I visited for the first time, I was blown away by the beauty of this place.
Even before reaching its monumental door and its famous wrought iron gate adorned with the arms of the City of Paris, take the time to admire the landscape. Winston Churchill Avenue, which passes between the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais, offers a breathtaking view of the golden dome of the Invalides!
Once you climb the grand staircase of the palace and enter the building, your amazement should not wane in front of this architectural gem imagined by Charles Girault. From the vestibule, you can appreciate the impressive dimensions of the building and the richness of its decor. Around you, everything is harmony, luxury, and beauty, from the richly decorated ceiling to the floor, which I enjoyed capturing in "I was here" mode.
2- For its free collections.
Tourists passing through Paris often don't know it, but the permanent collections of the Petit Palais are accessible for free. This sumptuous palace, built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition, now houses the Fine Arts Museum of the City of Paris.
I didn't expect to find a painting by Claude Monet and another by Paul Cézanne there... and yet that's the case! It should also be noted that the permanent collection is not limited to paintings but traces the history of art from Antiquity to 1900. I was thus surprised to see Greek black-figure vases and Orthodox icons gilded with gold leaf.
To be completely honest, I didn't have time to explore the entire permanent collection as it spans an area of 5000 square meters. However, this first visit made me want to return to admire more leisurely the hidden treasures that lie within this Parisian museum. In my opinion, it is a great opportunity for all art lovers on a tight budget, disenchanted by the price of admission to the Louvre or the Musée d'Orsay...
3- For its sometimes free exhibitions.
The Petit Palais also hosts temporary exhibitions, some of which are paid and others free. Once again, this is a boon for visitors passing through the capital.
When I visited this museum a few weeks ago, I had the chance to discover two free temporary exhibitions: one dedicated to the body in motion and the other to urban art. The first is organized as part of the Cultural Olympiad, on the occasion of the Paris 2024 Olympics, and the second creates a dialogue between works by street artists and the permanent collections and architecture of the Petit Palais.
These two exhibitions can be discovered until November 17, 2024. If you enjoy street art and artists like Invader or Seth, I highly recommend going to admire the bold mix of permanent collections and temporary displays that bring a breath of modernity into the museum's premises. I was literally fascinated by the room where more than 200 street art works are gathered, and I give you a modest glimpse in the following image.
4- For his peaceful garden.
Another asset of the Petit Palais in Paris lies in its inner garden, a true haven of peace and greenery in the heart of the city. Even though the weather was changeable on the day I visited these places, I noticed that Parisians and tourists had come in large numbers to enjoy this garden arranged around a central basin and surrounded by a magnificent peristyle.
Despite the crowd, this garden exudes a sense of calm and serenity, thanks to the harmonious blend of water and vegetation. Occasionally, one might come across a contemporary sculpture along a path or by the edge of a basin, during temporary exhibitions such as Jean-Michel Othoniel's in 2021.
5- For his café-restaurant.
If the museum visit has made you thirsty or hungry, note that the Petit Palais has its own café-restaurant with a view of the garden. This place, called Le Jardin du Petit Palais, has fairly high prices.
The price is partly justified by the beauty of the setting and the quality of the products. During my visit with two other people, we were tempted by the 12€ snack formula, which includes a hot drink of your choice and a cake by the pastry chef Claire Heitzler.
We did not regret this little splurge for our wallets and waistlines because the mug of tea was more than generous and the pastries were all delicious, with a special mention for the Piedmont hazelnut cake. In conclusion, whether or not you take a snack break during your visit, you should have a very good time in this unjustly overlooked Parisian museum.
