A palace built for the 1900 World's Fair, one of the loveliest courtyards in Paris, and the collections are free.
Quick Overview
- Your group only (up to 8 people)
- Duration: About 1.5 hours
- What we see: The 1900 building, 19th-century painting, Art Nouveau decorative arts, the garden courtyard
- What's special: Belle Époque grandeur without the queues, ending in a garden courtyard with a café
- Days: Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays)
- Pace: Unhurried, and shaped around what you love
- Languages: English or French
- Best for: Repeat visitors, lovers of the Belle Époque, anyone who wants beauty without the crowds
- Your guide: Me, a state-licensed guide-conférencier with a background in French art history
The Experience
The Petit Palais is one of the city's great secrets in plain sight: a real palace, built for the 1900 World's Fair, with permanent collections you can visit for free.
We start outside with the story of the Fair and why Paris built two palaces at once. Inside, we walk under the dome, through the great gallery and its mosaics, past paintings from Courbet to the Impressionists, and into the Art Nouveau rooms, Paris at its most inventive around 1900.
We end in the garden courtyard. Stay for a coffee under the colonnade afterwards: it's one of my favourite places in Paris to sit for half an hour.
Route & Walking Info
- Distance: About 1 km
- Terrain: Flat floors, a few steps, lifts available
- Pace: Whatever feels good to you. We take breaks when we need them.
- Accessibility: If you need to avoid stairs or long walks, tell me before booking and I'll adapt the route.
Good to Know
- Meeting Point: Main entrance of the Petit Palais, avenue Winston-Churchill. I'll send a map link and very clear instructions once you book.
- Timing: Try to be there 10 minutes early so we can start smoothly.
- Metro: Champs-Élysées–Clemenceau (lines 1 and 13).
- Shoes: Wear your most comfortable ones. Really.
- Bags: Keep them small; many sites have security checks.
- Late Arrivals: If you're late, it cuts into our time, but I'll make sure you still see the essentials.
Optional Add-Ons
- Grand Palais and Alexandre III bridge walk
- Temporary exhibition visit (tickets extra)
- Other Languages (Ask me about availability)
- Afternoon Planning (I can help you map out the rest of your day nearby)
After You Book
- A personal confirmation once I've checked the date. I confirm every booking myself.
- My meeting instructions, clear and simple.
- I'll ask what you're most curious about (or what you'd rather skip), and shape the visit around it.
- Mobility needs or children in the group? Tell me early and I'll plan for it.
- Want lunch or dinner afterwards? I'll suggest a table I'd book myself nearby.
FAQ
Is it really private? Yes. Just you, your group, and me.
Is entry really free? Yes, the permanent collections are free. Only temporary exhibitions are ticketed.
Can we do it in French? Yes, this tour runs in English or French.
Send me your dates and what you love most, and I'll shape the day around you.