Hexperiences: Paris turns 100(ish) for Art Déco — what to see, where to go, and how not to miss the good stuff
The big ones (book first)
Musée des Arts Décoratifs — “1925–2025. Cent ans d’Art déco”
When: 22 Oct 2025 → 26 Apr 2026
Why go: Nearly 1,000 works + a show-stopping Orient Express set piece. It’s the headline act of the centenary and an easy way to see the movement across furniture, fashion, glass, graphics—and fantasy. Family activities and talks run throughout. (madparis.fr)
Cité de l’Architecture & du Patrimoine (Palais de Chaillot) — “Paris 1925 : l’Art déco et ses architectes”
When: 22 Oct 2025 → 29 Mar 2026
Why go: Architecture is where Art Déco hits the street. This compact show + Chaillot façade tours make the era click—think power colonnades, clean lines, and a killer Trocadéro view. Guided “Promenade Art déco : le Palais de Chaillot” runs on select dates. (Cité de l'architecture & du patrimoine)
Palais de la Porte Dorée — “Le Palais, joyau de l’Art déco” (special tours & events)
When: Around Heritage Days (Sept 2025) and throughout the year
Why go: The bas-relief by Janniot is textbook Parisian Déco. Expect themed tours and programs linking the building’s history to 1925’s legacy. (palais-portedoree.fr)
Mark your calendar: craft & culture moments
Artisans d’Excellence (Palais de la Porte Dorée)
When: 2–4 Oct 2025
Why go: Contemporary savoir-faire—materials, textiles, decorative arts—showing how Déco’s spirit lives on in today’s makers. Great for gifts and inspiration. (Sortiraparis)
Salon du Patrimoine Culturel 2025 — “Heritage & Art Deco: The Legacy of the Future”
Why go: If you geek out on restoration and craftsmanship, this is your people. Talks, demos, and conservation projects tied to the centenary. (patrimoineculturel.com)
Walks, visits, and side quests
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Theatre tours: Théâtre des Champs-Élysées (Auguste Perret/Henry van de Velde) often opens for guided visits; dates pop in and out—worth checking. (exploreparis.com)
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Boulogne-Billancourt “Années 30” trails & Musée des Années 30: a compact outdoor museum of interwar façades; check for special centenary walks. (Paris je t'aime - Tourist office)
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RATP heritage visits & special nights: On heritage or museum nights, the transport network sometimes runs behind-the-scenes tours—watch listings. (exploreparis.com)
Getting there, fast (and feeling fancy)
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MAD (Musée des Arts Décoratifs): 107-111 rue de Rivoli, 1er. Métro: Palais-Royal–Musée du Louvre (1, 7).
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Cité de l’Architecture (Palais de Chaillot): 1 place du Trocadéro, 16e. Métro: Trocadéro (6, 9). Check their official event page for combined exhibit + “Promenade Art déco” slots. (Cité de l'architecture & du patrimoine)
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Palais de la Porte Dorée: 293 av. Daumesnil, 12e. Métro: Porte Dorée (8). Look for the enormous golden bas-reliefs—you can’t miss them. (palais-portedoree.fr)
A quick refresher: what was 1925, exactly?
From 28 April to 8 November 1925, Paris staged a colossal showcase of “modern decorative and industrial arts.” It boosted French prestige, minted the term “Art Déco,” and turned designers like Ruhlmann into stars. (If you love his Hôtel du collectionneur room, keep an eye out for drawings and archives surfacing at MAD this year.) (france-memoire.fr)
Practical tips (a.k.a. how not to queue like a confused baguette)
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Book timed tickets early for MAD and Chaillot; weekends sell out. (madparis.fr)
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Bundle a palace tour with the Chaillot exhibit—seeing the building unlocks the show. (Cité de l'architecture & du patrimoine)
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Aim for late openings when available; galleries are calmer and photos cleaner (no elbow photobombs). (RATP)
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Heritage Days (mid-Sept) bring special, often free programming at Porte Dorée—arrive early. (palais-portedoree.fr)
Language-learner corner (pick your level)
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A1: Learn 10 exhibit words: façade, vitrail, marbre, laque, affiche, pavillon, maquette, escalier, motif, billet. Use them to describe one object you liked.
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A2: Practice polite queuing and tickets: “Bonjour, j’ai une entrée à 14h.” “Où se trouve la nef / la salle suivante ?”
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B1: Mini-review in the comments: 5–7 sentences comparing two Art Déco buildings you saw (Chaillot vs. Porte Dorée).
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B2: Debate prompt: Was Art Déco more industrie or luxe? Use examples from furniture, architecture, and graphics.
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Advanced: Read a curator text, then summarize how 1925 shaped French identity in design—and where you see its echo today. For a hot take, skim current coverage weighing Art Déco’s love-it-or-loathe-it legacy. (Financial Times)
Map a perfect day (sample)
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Morning at MAD (book 10:00 entry). 2) Cross the river for a Chaillot promenade + exhibit (mid-afternoon slot). 3) Golden hour selfies at Trocadéro (sorry, it’s the law). 4) Evening wander to Porte Dorée area another day for the bas-reliefs and a themed tour; finish with a retro cocktail and toast the year 1925 like it’s… well, 1925. (Cité de l'architecture & du patrimoine)
Sources & official pages
MAD’s centenary exhibition hub; Cité de l’Architecture exhibition & walks; Palais de la Porte Dorée centenary tours; makers’ fairs & centenary context. (madparis.fr)
Your turn 🗣️
What’s your favorite Paris Art Déco detail—a staircase curve, a poster, a chair you wanted to “accidentally” adopt? Drop a comment with:
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A1/A2: One photo + 2–3 simple sentences in French.
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B1/B2: Short review comparing two pieces or buildings.
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Advanced: A mini-essay on whether Paris 1925 still shapes French art de vivre today.
If you spot more centenary events (talks, walks, pop-ups), add them below so fellow readers can plan their own Art Déco pilgrimages. Bon zigzag !
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