France is the birthplace of Art Deco so in this article we will show you the 10 best Art Deco buildings in Paris.

The Art Deco architectural movement grew as a reaction to the excesses of the Victorian and Gothic Revival eras. It first appeared in France in 1925, and while it hit its peak there in the 1920s and ‘30s, many examples of Art Deco buildings survive today.

With its clean lines, geometric shapes, and use of natural colors like green, yellow, blue, and purple, Art Deco architecture is instantly recognizable. While many famous Art Deco buildings are concentrated in smaller cities like Strasbourg or Marseille with their own rich history of architecture or villas such as La Gaillarde near Cannes in the South of France. In Paris alone you will find several examples from this style. Many hotels were built during this period as well

1. Renaissance Paris Hotel

The Renaissance Paris Hotel on the Place de l’Opera is one of the most beautiful Art Deco buildings in Paris. Built in 1931, it was commissioned by the Belgian architect Charles van der Stappen, who had also overseen the construction of the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels. The Renaissance Paris Hotel was built as a luxury hotel but later converted into apartments and offices. Today, it is a grand and stately building that speaks to the rich and colorful history of Paris.

2. The Louxor

The Louxor - Palais du Cinema is an Egyptian-style movie theatre, designed by architect Henri Zipcy. The venue originally opened in 1921 and was later taken over the Pathe chain. It had a pipe organ as well as orchestra pit seats with Egyptian motifs on them. This beautiful old structure is the only one of its kind ever built in Paris.

3. Piscine Molitor

The third decade of the 20th century saw a boom in public swimming pools, many of which were designed according to the Art Deco Principles. Piscine Molitor is one such pool, with an Art Deco stained-glass window on its main facade by Louis Barillet and famed swimmer Lucien Pollet as designer. The pool was shut from 1989 until 2014 when it became part of the Hotel Molitor Paris. 

4. Palais de Chaillot

The Palais de Chaillot is a monumental palace across the Eiffel Tower that was built for the 1937 Paris International Exposition. The old Palais du Trocadéro was completely rebuilt to accommodate this exhibition and now stands on an esplanade in front of it. The eastern wing has been turned into a museum, while the western one houses two other museums: Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine and Museum of Mankind.

5. Galeries Lafayette

Paris’s famous department store, the Galeries Lafayette, is a stunning example of Art Deco architecture in Paris. The famous store, designed by the architects Louis Guillot and Emile Poueigh and built between 1928 and 1930, is located on the corner of Boulevard Haussmann and Boulevard des Capucines. In addition to its beautiful architecture, the building is notable for the fact that most of the art deco buildings in paris it was constructed underground; only the decorative parts of the building were visible above ground. The store’s Art Deco architecture has remained largely untouched since its construction in the early 20th century.

6. MK2 Gambetta

The next entertainment venue is a masterpiece by Henri Sieg who, one of the most important French architects from the beginning of 20th century. The Cinema MK2 Gambetta was built where a former local theatre in Paris’ 12th Arrondissement once stood. The facade features bas-reliefs in form of palm leaves and theatre masks; originally it was one room with an orchestra and two balconies that have since been transformed into three rooms following its transformation in 1970. One balcony became another cinema space while other became projection booth.

7. The Théâtre des Champs-Élysées

The Théâtre des Champs-Élysées is one of the most beautiful Art Deco buildings in Paris. The theater, located on the famed Avenue des Champs-Élysées, was designed by the architect Jacques Carlu and built between 1927 and 1928. Originally, the building was used as a movie theater and concert venue. It has been a theater since the 1940s. The Théâtre des Champs-Élysées is one of the most important Art Deco buildings in the city. The theater is a stunning example of the Art Deco architectural style.

8. Folies Bergère

The historic Folies-Bergère, a famous cabaret and music hall on the Boulevard de Clichy in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, is one of the most important Art Deco buildings in the city. The building was designed by the architect and designer Jacques Carson and built between 1925 and 1931. The Folies-Bergère was inaugurated in 1932 as a theater and dance hall. The building is a stunning example of the Art Deco style. Today, the Folies-Bergère is a museum and one of the most important Art Deco buildings in Paris.

9. La Samaritaine

The legendary department store La Samaritaine, located on the banks of the Seine River in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, is one of the most famous Art Deco buildings in the city. The building was designed by the architects Auguste and Louis Corbon and built between 1928 and 1930. The department store was inaugurated in 1931. The La Samaritaine building is a stunning example of Art Deco architecture and one of the most important buildings of this period in Paris. There are many other examples of Art Deco in Paris. These buildings are a stunning reminder of the architectural and social history of the city and one of the most important architectural movements of the 20th century.

10. Grand Rex cinema

It is located on 32 Avenue des Champs-Élysées in the 9th arrondissement. This cinema opened its doors to the public in December 1935, and ever since then it has been delighting its viewers with the latest movies. If you are a fan of art deco, then you definitely should visit this cinema.

Conclusion

The Art Deco architectural movement grew as a reaction to the excesses of the Victorian and Gothic Revival eras. It first appeared in France in 1925, and while it hit its peak there in the 1920s and ‘30s, many examples of Art Deco buildings survive today. With its clean lines, geometric shapes, and use of natural colors like green, yellow, blue, and purple, Art Deco architecture is instantly recognizable. While many famous Art Deco buildings are concentrated in smaller cities like Strasbourg or Marseille with their own rich history of architecture or villas such as La Gaillarde near Cannes in the South of France. In Paris alone you will find several examples from this style. Many hotels were built during this period as well.