Mentioning the Palais de Chaillot to someone may have them wondering where it is, but describing it as across the River Seine from the Eiffel Tower provides an instant location. The massive building with its divided wings houses three museums, a prestigious performing arts theater, restaurant and café. Visit the Palais de Chaillot to sit in Trocadéro Gardens that stretch from the building toward the River Seine and contemplate your time in this revered real estate.
The Chaillot National Theatre of Dance features outstanding performances every season in three separate venues: the intimate 100-seat Studio Maurice Béjart, the classical 390-seat Salle Firmin Gémier and the main 1,200-seat Salle Jean Vilar. Attend a performance and observe the collection of sculptures and paintings throughout the interior.
Salle Jean Vilar also has historical interest, as it’s where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948.
Go outside on the esplanade to view eight gilded figures representing the Rights of Man. As well as the theater, the buildings have three museums. One covers the architecture and heritage of Paris, another studies marine history and the last focuses on humans and culture. The building has also served as a meeting place for the United Nations General Assembly and as an initial temporary NATO headquarters.
In addition to the building’s interior attractions are magnificent views from the Trocadéro across the bridge Pont d’léna through the structure of the Eiffel Tower to the large park the Champ de Mars. For first-time viewers of the Eiffel Tower, the stunning effect of this structure is greatly increased if you see it first from Chaillot’s esplanade.
Travel by Metro and get off at Trocadéro station then walk to the terrace of the Palais de Chaillot, which offers a marvelously dramatic view across the River Seine.
