Palais d'Iéna

The Palais d'Iéna is a striking building in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, built in 1937 by the renowned architect Auguste Perret. It stands on the Avenue d'Iéna and, along with the Palais de Tokyo and the Palais de Chaillot, is one of the few structures from the 1937 World's Fair that have survived to this day. Originally conceived as a museum of public works, the palace housed that collection from 1939 to 1955. Construction was delayed by World War II, so the distinctive rotunda was not completed until 1943. Since 1960, the building has served primarily as the seat of the French Economic Council and the International Chamber of Commerce.

Architecturally, the palace impresses with its monumental hall, which features a cantilevered, horseshoe-shaped staircase and a large hemicycle topped by a double dome. Perret's main structure, including the rotunda and the wing along the Avenue d'Iéna, has been protected as a historic monument since 1993. Over the years, the building has been remodeled several times, including alterations to the hemicycle in the 1950s and the addition of a second wing in the 1960s.

For visitors, the Palais d'Iéna is not only a place of political and economic importance but also a popular backdrop for film and television shoots. The spacious hall offers an unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower, which makes it a versatile filming location. In recent years, the building has also hosted important public debates, such as the Citizens' Convention for Climate.