Petit Palais

The Petit Palais, or Small Palace, is an art museum located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, France. Built for the 1900 Exposition Universelle, it now houses the City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts. The museum is situated across from the Grand Palais on Avenue Winston-Churchill, with other façades facing the Seine and Avenue des Champs-Élysées. The Petit Palais was designed by Charles Girault, who won a competition in 1894 to replace the unfitting Palais de l'Industrie. Girault's design draws on late 17th and early 18th century French style, with references to the stables at Chantilly, Oise. The building is a trapezoid shape, creating a semi-circular courtyard at the center. The museum houses a vast collection of art, including medieval and Renaissance paintings, 18th century furniture, and works by renowned painters such as Rembrandt, Rubens, Monet, and Cézanne. The Petit Palais has been listed as a monument historique by the Ministry of Culture since 1975 and is part of the public corporation Paris Musées. The Petit Palais is not only a museum but also an architectural masterpiece, with its ionic columns, grand porch, and dome echoing those of the Invalides across the river. Its exterior is adorned with contemporary sculptures, while the interior is designed to showcase every aspect of a collection, from paintings to sculptures. The Petit Palais is a must-visit for art and architecture enthusiasts visiting Paris.