The Grand Palais in Paris is to close for three years for the most extensive renovations in its 118-year history.
Originally built in 1900 for the World’s Fair, the Grand Palais is an exhibition hall and museum complex located at the Champs-Élysées. The Réunion des musées nationaux (RMN), a government body that runs the facility, has revealed detailed plans for the renovations.
A new entrance is to be constructed leading from Square Jean Perrin into the refurbished science museum, Palais de la découverte. There will also be a new pedestrian street linking different parts of the complex.
Six exhibition spaces will be refurbished and will show between one and four exhibitions annually once the work is complete. There will also be new rooms with permanent exhibits. One will feature a digital display showcasing French national collections while another will be dedicated to the history of the Grand Palais.
An RMN spokesperson told The Art Newspaper that the site will be “totally closed from December 2020; the Rue des Palais, Nef [nave] and Grand Galleries will open in the spring of 2023”.
The work is to be completed by architecture firm Local Architecture Network. Funding for the €466m ($573m) renovation has been secured with the French government providing €288m and the RMN loaning €150m. The fashion brand Chanel will also donate €25m.
Images: c. LAN.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/grand-palais-s-eur466m-facelift-to-include-new-galleries-for-french-masterpieces-and-chanel-sponsored-entrance
