Back in 1894, a design competition was announced for a monumental new building that was conceived to be one of the architectural centerpieces of the Universal Exhibition in 1900 alongside the Eiffel Tower, the Petit Palais, the Pont Alexandre III and the Gare de Lyon.

Four Prix de Rome winning architects were finally chosen to design the building’s façades and interiors. The most impressive fruit of their labors was the Art Nouveau iron roof that weighs a staggering 8,500 tonnes (compared with the 8,000 tonnes of the Eiffel Tower’s frame) which is lined with plate glass panels that elevate to some 45 metres at some points. The structure stood firm until 1993 when one of the panels fell resulting in the closure of the premises for a further 12 years. After a huge restoration project it reopened in September 2005.

Interestingly, the Grand Palais has its own police station in the basement for the increased security of the works on show in the Galeries nationals. The building also houses a science museum and Chanel host many of their annual fashion shows there, creating a decadent and lavish arena for their newest trends.