Art Deco in Paris and its region: an architectural journey through the Roaring Twenties
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- Art Deco in Paris and its region: an architectural journey through the Roaring Twenties
Immerse yourself in the geometric elegance and refined modernity of the Art Deco movement, which originated in Paris during the 1925 International Exhibition of Decorative Arts. This style, emblematic of the Roaring Twenties, embodied by artists as diverse as René Lalique, Man Ray, Tamara de Lempicka, Cartier, Paul Poiret and Mallet-Stevens, left a lasting mark on architecture, design, fashion and the visual arts. Through these must-see locations, discover a unique heritage, including majestic monuments, inspiring museums and iconic department stores.
Our favourite event
To mark the 100th anniversary of the Art Deco movement, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris is presenting the exhibition ‘1925-2025. One Hundred Years of Art Deco’, an exceptional celebration of this iconic style. Through a rich selection of works, furniture, textiles and objets d’art, the exhibition traces the evolution of Art Deco from its heyday at the 1925 International Exhibition of Decorative Arts to its contemporary influences. An unmissable event for design, architecture and art history enthusiasts.
Around the Eiffel Tower: power and symmetry
Begin your tour at the Palais de Tokyo, a masterpiece of sobriety and monumentality, with its symmetrical wings, reflecting pool, huge terrace, monumental staircase and bas-reliefs by Alfred Janniot.
Just opposite, the Palais de Chaillot is considered one of the major monuments of 1930s Paris. Overlooking the Trocadéro gardens, its two neoclassical pavilions dominate the view of the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-de-Mars.
The interior decoration, carried out by 71 painters and sculptors, presents a wide range of Art Deco styles. Today, the palace houses the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, the Musée de l’Homme, the Musée National de la Marine and the Théâtre National de Chaillot, some of the capital’s most prestigious cultural sites.
Near the Bois de Vincennes, the Palais de la Porte Dorée, the only remaining vestige of the 1931 Colonial Exhibition, is also monumental: 16,000 m², a bas-relief façade by Alfred Janniot covering more than 1,000 m² and a tropical aquarium. Also worth discovering within its walls is the National Museum of the History of Immigration.
Museums with Art Deco treasures
The Musée des Arts Décoratifs, a magnificent building on Rue de Rivoli in the heart of Paris, houses one of the world’s largest collections of decorative arts. Its chronological exhibition, spanning from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era, devotes more than a dozen rooms to Art Nouveau and Art Deco.
Although the Musée d’Orsay is better known for its collection of Impressionist works, it also has a collection of Art Deco objects that is well worth seeing.
The 1930s Museum in Boulogne-Billancourt is full of treasures of this kind. Paintings, sculptures, drawings, posters, architectural models of 1930s buildings and Art Deco furniture are sure to captivate you during your visit.
The Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace du Bourget, the largest aeronautical museum in France and one of the largest in the world, conceals a treasure trove of Art Deco style. With its monumental columns, vaulted glass ceiling, marble and iron staircases, and magnificent clock, the Hall of Eight Columns, be
Shopping and heritage: department stores in the spotlight
True cathedrals of commerce, Parisian department stores such as Printemps, Galeries Lafayette and Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche transitioned from Art Nouveau to Art Deco in the 1920s.
From the end of the 19th century, architects and engineers (including Gustave Eiffel) used glass and iron to create domes, monumental staircases and glass roofs to illuminate the halls, which became vast sales areas. From the 1930s onwards, they redesigned the spaces and locations to better showcase new products, which were now manufactured industrially.
Art Deco was hugely popular at the time, with its straight lines, symmetry and artistic yet functional style. It’s enough to make you want to look up between purchases!
Art Deco also features in hotels, gastronomy and cultural experiences
Beyond monuments and museums, Art Deco is part of everyday life in Paris, offering a total immersion in the atmosphere of the 1930s. To prolong the experience, several iconic hotels offer a setting that is either historic or inspired by this era. The Lutetia, a historic palace on the Left Bank, elegantly blends Art Deco and Art Nouveau. The Molitor, famous for its swimming pool and architecture, and the Hôtel du Collectionneur, close to the Arc de Triomphe, are just two of the places where staying overnight becomes an aesthetic experience.
Theatre lovers can enjoy an evening at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, an architectural gem of its kind, or embark on a guided cruise on the Seine, highlighting the Art Deco buildings along the riverbanks. For bargain hunters, the Saint-Ouen flea market is full of vintage treasures, while the retro design shops in the Marais or Saint-Germain-des-Prés offer period-inspired items.
Finally, gastronomy is not to be outdone: dining at Drouant, famous for hosting the juries of the prestigious Goncourt and Renaudot prizes every autumn, or at the famous brasserie La Coupole, is also a way to experience Art Deco on your plate. And for enthusiasts, themed guided tours allow you to explore the iconic neighbourhoods with an expert’s eye.
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