Paris: route 2

Let me tell you a story about this building!
In 1930, architect Guillaume Tronchet, made this building so it can be big enough for the people working in the Ministry of Health

Did you know that an important woman is connected to this place ?
Germaine Poinso-Chapuis, the first female minister in France worked here! She was a lawyer and helped fight enemies during WWII. After the war, she became the first woman minister of Public Health right here, at 14 Duquesne avenue.

Can you guess the style?
This building is a big, 8-floor modern place, shaped like a “V.” It’s all about Art Deco style, with stained glass windows and stone outside, and red bricks inside.

What about today?
Today, it’s still the building of the Ministry of Health, a place where important things happen, and an important part of the city’s history.

Let me tell you a story about this building!
This impressive structure is the UNESCO Headquarters. It opened in 1958. There were 3 architects who designed it. Close by, there’s a metal globe with flags from all the UN member countries.

Did you know that an important woman is connected to this place ?
Beverly Loraine Greene was an American architect who worked on this building, she was the only black woman working in the team. She was the first black woman architect licensed in the United States.

Can you guess the style?
This building is all about modernism. It’s famous for its unique design and the way it was built. The main building has seven floors, shaped like the letter Y. It’s mostly made of glass windows and looks very unique.

What about today?
Today, this building is still the UNESCO headquarters. It’s a place where people from all over the world come together to talk about education, science, and culture. And it all started with this amazing building designed by talented architects like Beverly Loraine Greene.

Let me tell you a story about this building!
This building was built between 1929 and 1932 by architect Auguste Perret. He lived here from 1932 until he passed away.

Did you know that an important woman is connected to this place ?
Auguste Perret fell in love with a woman called Marie Dormoy. She was a known writer, and they wrote articles together about architecture for a magazine.

Can you guess the style?
It’s a modern building, made with strong concrete. It has eight floors and a roof. It has a view of the Eiffel Tower. There’s even a sculpture on the entrance door.

What about today?
Today, people live in this building. It’s not just a historic place; it’s a home for many. It’s also a reminder of the special connection between Marie Dormoy and the architect Auguste Perret.

Let me tell you a story about this building!
The Palais Galliera was designed by Paul-René-Léon Ginain. It was built for the Duchess of Galliera, who wanted to share her art collection with everyone. They started building it in 1879, and people celebrated its opening in 1895.

Did you know that an important woman is connected to this place ?
In 2022, Frida Kahlo, a famous Mexican painter, was being celebrated here. There was an exhibition of her art inside.

She was an artist who had some disabilities, sometimes she couldn’t walk for example. Palais Galliera was showing things from her life, like her art, her medicines and things she used to help her get around.

Can you guess the style?
The Palais Galliera is very elegant. It has two sides: one faces the street and the other looks at a garden. The street side has tall ionic columns, and the garden side has big windows with sculptures.

What about today?
Today, the Palais Galliera is all about fashion and fun clothes!

Let me tell you a story about this building!
The Champs-Elysées theater was built in 1913 as a special place for music lovers. It has three auditoriums, four floors, and even a rooftop restaurant. The Perret brothers designed it.

Did you know that an important woman is connected to this place ?
Joséphine Baker, a famous black singer and dancer, is connected to this place. She came to Paris in 1925 and danced here! But she wasn’t just a dancer, she was a brave woman. During World War II, she helped hide fighters and Jewish refugees from the enemies.

Can you guess the style?
This theater is a good example of Art Deco style. The front looks simple, made of concrete and white marble. It has sculptures that represent different things like music, tragedy, comedy, and dance.

What about today?
Today, the Champs-Elysées theater is still a place for music and shows. It’s a spot where artists come to shine, just like Joséphine Baker did in the past.

Let me tell you a story about this building!
The Grand Palais was built in 1900, and it was made to show art in it. Many architects worked on it. Charles Girault led the team. During World War I, it became a hospital for soldiers fighting the war.

Did you know that an important woman is connected to this place ?
There was a statue of Clémence Royer inside the Grand Palais in 1912! She was the first woman professor at Sorbonne University. She also fought for women’s rights. Her statue is still stored inside today.

Can you guess the style?
This building has a style called “Beaux-Arts.” It has big ionic columns and lots of sculptures outside. The inside has a glass roof that lets in lots of light. It’s so special!

What about today?
The Grand Palais is still a place for art and exhibitions. It’s a grand place with a grand history!

Let me tell you a story about this building!
The Olympia Hall was opened in 1893 by Joseph Oller. At first, it was a place for ballet and opera. Then, it turned into a movie theater. Then it became a music hall again.

Did you know that an important woman is connected to this place ?
The Olympia Hall has a special connection with Édith Piaf, the famous singer. You might have heard of her famous song “La vie en Rose”. She sang all her best songs here.

Can you guess the style?
The building is in the haussmannian style. The front always has the famous neon “Olympia” sign and the names of artists in big letters below it. The letter “O” is shaped like the city of Paris when you see it on a map!

What about today?
The Olympia Hall still hosts fantastic music and shows. It’s a place where artists share their talents, just like Édith Piaf did in the past.