Or at least that's what I thought the first time I wandered
its mostly tourist-free gallery.
Then there's the name -- Small Palace.
Hear me now, there is nothing little about it.
A treasure chest full of pleasures, both inside and out, the so-called little palace is one of the best stops you'll ever make in Paris. And it's FREE.*
If you have a tendency to not love museums, this one is for you.
It dazzles without being pretentious.
The outside is as beautiful as the inside.
You can wander the garden, chat up Winston Churchill, study Georges Clemenceau or confess to an angel. Once inside, the vast space welcomes rather than confines.
It's that rare opportunity to find a personal relationship with art.
No pretense, only enjoyment.
the Petit Palais has an enviable location. It's close to the Champs-Elysées,
the Pont Alexandre III and just across from the Grand Palais.
The gilded entrance alone is memorable in all its glorious detail. Stepping into the long gallery is unforgettable. Enormous and filled with light instead of tourists, the collections range from early Christian Orthodox to Renaissance,
Romantic, Art Nouveau and Impressionist periods.
Paintings, sculpture, tapestries, ceramics, glassware and even books are on offer. 18th & 19th Century paintings by Delacroix, Sisley,
Renoir, Monet, and more make this an exceptional experience.
The frescoes and ceilings are fantastic, blending the classical with the modern.
The Petit Palais is the definition of the Fine Arts:
Art produced primarily for beauty rather than utility.
Do yourself a big favor and make it your next stop when you're in Paris.
Metro: Champs-Elysées Cleménceau or Invalides; Closed on Monday
*Temporary exhibits charge admission but permanent collection is free.