Journées du Patrimoine: 1. Palais d'Iena

This is the first of a series of posts I'll publish with suggestions for the most interesting and unusual places to visit during the weekend of the Journées du Patrimoine (heritage days) which takes place on the weekend of the 18th/19th September. First up, Auguste Perret's architectural masterpiece.

The Palais d’Iena is perhaps the most well-known and well-respected building of the architect Auguste Perret. In wonderful simplicity it manages to combine classical, academical principles with modernist design and materials.

The building was erected between 1937 and 1946, initially to serve as a museum of public works. This initiative was however not very successful, and since 1959 it has hosted the Conseil économique, social et environnemental (French Economic and Social Council). The public is not generally admitted inside the building so the patrimoine weekend offers you the opportunity to view the fantastic interiors, which include an auditorium for 300 people and a monumental staircase.

Tours will also be organised during the weekend by lecturers from the Ecole de Louvre.

If you are not in Paris for the weekend of the 18th/19th, you can still visit the building, albeit virtually! See http://www.conseil-economique-et-social.fr/home.asp, then click on visite virtuelle in the bottom left corner of the page.

Palais d’Iena
9, Place d'Iéna - 75016
Saturday 18th – Sunday 19th, 10am to 5pm