Paris' Grand Palais has reopened after a 12-year (!! is this Italy?) rehab. Built in 1903 for the Universal Exhibition, more than 100 euros were spent to make this imposing glass and iron strucutre gleam once again. another 3 years however will be needed to fully restore its immense glass roof. the palace hosts temporary exhibitions such as those on agriculture, motor vehicles, ,etc. but two of its parts are permenantly open to the public: the Galeries Nationals (art exhibits) and the Palais de la Decouverte (Science Museum) - not having been to these two entities i'll not pass judgment on them but just to see the Grand Palais up close from the outside is great as is its neighbor and contemporary built for the 1903 affair - the Petite Palais.

Is it Petit Palais that reopens?

The Grand Palais has been used for special exhibitions in at least the past two years.

I think it means the building as a whole - it definitely the Grand Palais as i'm paraphrasing a press release from the French Embassy and when i was in Paris in December there was one day when the Grand Palais was reopening officially and was free to go in.

Is there a link for the press release?

Thanks.

Yes, you're right:

http://www.france.com/docs/575.html

I did a search on lemonde.fr also and there's a premium article that I can't read without paying.

Thanks.

Another link (with pics):

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2005/09/...s-reopens.html

(The Le Monde article is mentioned at the end.)

111 op

www.rmn.fr/galeriesnationalesdugrandpalais --

111 op: another press release says the Petit Palais has just reopened after 4 years of renovations!

must have meant "100 MILLION euros.

I know, PalQ. That's why I asked you.

Petit Palais was reopened quite recently (this year?).

I think that it may be free to see the permanent collection at PP.

The Grand Palais opened a while ago, and admission was free for a time; in fact, over the holidays, there was a carnival inside complete with a Ferris wheel under the glass roof (for €5 admission).

You're probably thinking of the Petit Palais, which is across the street and has just finished renovations (from what I understand). It's spectacular from the outside, although I haven't seen the inside. In fact, I haven't had a chance to visit either palace since they reopened after years of renovations and repairs. They seem to be back to their original glory, and that's pretty glorious!

RE-OPENING OF THE PETIT PALAIS
VIVE LA BELLE EPOQUE

Musée des Beaux-Arts de la ville de Paris
Avenue Winston Chrurchill, 75008 Paris
www.petitpalais.paris.fr