{"id":1209130,"date":"1970-01-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"1969-12-31T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/haussmann.galerieslafayette.com\/?p=1209130"},"modified":"2025-10-20T18:01:48","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T16:01:48","slug":"traveler-guide-buildings-paris","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/haussmann.galerieslafayette.com\/en\/traveler-guide-buildings-paris\/","title":{"rendered":"A traveler\u2019s guide to the most exquisite buildings in Paris"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The story of Paris has evolved over centuries. The buildings of the city display remarkably diverse architectural styles that transport visitors through France\u2019s historical milestones, art, and lifestyles. Whether you are looking to admire the timeless landmarks or discover bold masterpieces of modern architecture, you\u2019ll find everything you want in the city. From a grand hotel, to a metro entrance, to a doorway\u2026 Paris is alive with examples of stunning architectural elegance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Explore the iconic architecture of Paris<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Paris is filled with legendary landmarks that reveal the spirit and history of the city. Here are some must-see places to add to your itinerary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Eiffel Tower: the most famous building in Paris<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The Eiffel Tower is perhaps the most iconic and most famous building in Paris. But you may be shocked to know that it was only intended to be temporary and should have been removed after twenty years. And believe it or not, when Gustave Eiffel\u2019s Eiffel Tower was first erected in 1889 as part of the World Fair, many people thought it was unimaginably ugly. Parisians hated the building and gasped in horror at the sight of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, as history showed, it\u2019s in the French DNA to hate and love in equal proportion. Maupassant couldn\u2019t bear the tower but, interestingly, always had breakfast at the tower\u2019s restaurant. He argued that it was the only place in town where he couldn\u2019t actually see the Eiffel Tower! Gustave Eiffel loved his tower so much that he built himself a cozy little apartment on the third floor, where he would hold private meetings with the science elite. Exorbitant sums of money were later offered to Eiffel for his flat, but he never agreed to sell it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann, you can enjoy gourmet food, <\/em>delectable French pastries<\/em><\/a>, and experience one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower at the same time.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Notre Dame de Paris: a church that symbolizes the Parisian spirit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Notre Dame is much more than just a church. This magnificent building lies right in the heart of Paris, as indicated by the Point Zero metal plate embedded on the cathedral\u2019s square. Located on \u00cele de la Cit\u00e9, Notre Dame de Paris has been overlooking the banks of the Seine for more than 850 years. While the famous Gothic cathedral is worshipped today, it wasn\u2019t always loved and taken care of. During the French Revolution, it was even turned into a food and wine warehouse! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet, despite centuries of neglect, wars, and revolutions, Notre Dame still stands proud. In 1802, Napoleon restored the cathedral and was crowned Emperor of the French Republic within its walls two years later. Additional restoration work took place thanks to the rise in the cathedral\u2019s popularity following the release of Victor Hugo\u2019s novel Notre-Dame de Paris<\/em>. The tragic 2019 fire is just another episode from which the cathedral is sure to bounce back, emerging even more impressive and beautiful than before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Louvre: a mix of history and modernity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Nowhere is the harmony between the ancient and the contemporary more evident than at the Louvre. Its striking glass pyramid reflects the beautiful building, originally built as a fortress in 1190. 800 years later, newly elected French president, Francois Mitterrand, commissioned architect IM Pei to revamp the museum. Pei came up with the idea of creating a new entrance in the middle of the courtyard, topped by a steel and glass pyramid built in the same proportions as the famous Pyramid of Giza. The concept behind the structure was to bring light to the underground extension. Unsurprisingly, the project drew harsh criticisms and was initially seen as an architectural joke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the Louvre, along with its pyramid, is the most visited museum in the world. Approximately ten million visitors a year travel from across the globe to see this remarkable building and the artworks within it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Beaubourg: home of the renowned Centre Pompidou gallery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Centre Georges Pompidou is an iconic symbol of 20th-century modern architecture. The quirky building houses the largest museum of modern art in Europe and is also an artistic and music research center. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The exterior of the building displays an \u201cinside out\u201d design featuring all of its internal facilities. Its fa\u00e7ade displays brightly colored tubes, pipework, glass elevators, and mechanical systems. The top floor of the Centre Georges Pompidou also offers some of the best views over Paris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Centre Georges Pompidou is currently undergoing extensive renovations and will be closed from late 2025 to 2030.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Palais Garnier: the most famous opera house in the world<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Another fabulous Parisian building not to be missed is the Palais Garnier. Sometimes referred to as the Op\u00e9ra Garnier, this architectural wonder was first inaugurated in 1875. Architect Charles Garnier designed the Palais in the style of Napoleon III. It is a remarkably opulent building that is nothing less than breathtaking in its magnificence. It\u2019s not without reason that it is known as \u201cthe most famous opera house in the world\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Combining elements of Baroque, Palladio, and Renaissance architecture, the Palais Garnier was the home of the Paris Opera until 1989. Visitors can still enjoy exquisite ballet and masterful operatic performances today. Guided tours are also available, offering the chance to experience this iconic building in all its majesty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Grand Palais: the glory of French art<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The 1900 World\u2019s Fair saw the birth of the beautiful Grand Palais upon the Avenue des Champs Elys\u00e9es in Paris. The palace was constructed using stone, steel, and glass. The process of building the incredible glass roof of the royal palace was an immense undertaking. More than 8,500 tons of steel were required. This is even more metal than was used to build the Eiffel Tower!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To this day, the Grand Palais\u2019 glass roof is the largest of its kind in Europe. With its wrought-iron structure, mosaic floor, and limestone steps, the grand staircase of the palace is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau style. The Grand Palais was to become home to fine art exhibitions and events. It continuously hosted events, only pausing during WWI when the monument was requisitioned to serve a period as a military hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Discover the peculiar, picturesque architecture and history of Paris<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Paris is not just about wide boulevards and grand cathedrals. The city hides countless unexpected curiosities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nicolas Flamel\u2019s house<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Built in 1407 and believed to be the oldest stone house in Paris, this is where Flamel is said to have carried out his experiments in alchemy. It is also where many believe he discovered the mysteries of the Philosopher\u2019s Stone. While there is no evidence to confirm that Flamel actually participated in any such activities, the house provides a fascinating insight into medieval Paris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A dispute over the smallest house<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many believe that the tiny house located at 13 Quai Voltaire and overlooking the river Seine is the narrowest building in Paris. However, the smallest house in Paris is to be found in the 10th arrondissement on the Rue du Ch\u00e2teau d\u2019Eau. This micro building measures 1.10 meters wide and five meters high. It is tucked away between two buildings on a bustling street, opposite the Town Hall of the district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This little space was originally a passageway between two streets. This sparked many disagreements concerning who owned the rights of access to the passageway. In order to end the endless disputes, it was decided to fill the gap with a new property. The addition left the neighbors with nothing to argue about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The red Pagoda: a Chinese palace in Paris<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Pagoda is a striking anomaly amid the uniformity of Paris\u2019s Haussmann-era architecture. In 1925, collector and dealer Ching Tsai Loo purchased what used to be a standard house in the French Louis Philippe style. To showcase his incredible collection of Asian antiques, Tsai Loo undertook a massive transformation of the building and turned the house into a Chinese Pagoda from the inside out. Its striking red fa\u00e7ade and sloping roof clash with the surrounding 19th-century architecture, making the Pagoda an unmissable architectural oddity.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step Inside the Story of Galeries Lafayette<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To truly immerse yourself in the architectural history of Paris, consider joining a guided heritage tour of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. You\u2019ll learn the hidden stories behind its stunning design and gain a deeper understanding of Paris\u2019 history and architecture. For something even more innovative, you can take part in Galeries Lafayette\u2019s immersive augmented reality project. A truly unique experience, this tour transports you through time and lets you see the landmark in a whole new way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n