In 1900, Paris was playing host to the World's Fair. Because of the importance of the event, the city undertook a number of building projects which included the construction of the Pont Alexandre III, the Grand Palais and the smaller but similar Petit Palais.
The Grand Palais is one of Paris' most recognizable landmarks thanks to its magnificent glass-domed roof. It was the work of three different architects but the project was overseen by famed French architect Charles Girault, who was then given carte blanche to design the Petit Palais. The building is a beautiful combination of a classicist stone facade, art-nouveau ironwork and glass.