Chaillot's Palace

The Palais du Trocadéro, originally built in 1878, underwent a significant transformation for the 1937 Exposition Internationale, leading to the creation of the Palais de Chaillot.

During World War II, this location gained historical significance. The front terrace of the Palais de Chaillot is notably remembered for a photograph of Adolf Hitler taken during his brief visit to Paris in 1940, with the Eiffel Tower in the background, a symbolic image of the era. Additionally, on VE Day, 8 May 1945, a significant event occurred here: over 2,800 American soldiers, sailors, and airmen gathered to hear President Harry S. Truman's victory speech, followed by an address from Lt. Gen John C. H. Lee, who oversaw U.S. Army logistics in Europe.

In the post-war era, the Palais de Chaillot continued to play a pivotal role. It hosted the third United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1948 and the sixth UNGA in 1951. A landmark moment in its history was the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UNGA on 10 December 1948, an event now commemorated with a dedicated stone on the esplanade, now known as the "esplanade des droits de l'homme" or the esplanade of human rights.

Additionally, the Palais de Chaillot served as the temporary headquarters for NATO in Paris from 1952 until the inauguration of the permanent headquarters at the "Palais de l'OTAN" (now Université Paris Dauphine) in 1959.

The architectural design of this building showcases a blend of modern and classical styles, crafted by the skilled hands of Louis-Hippolyte Boileau, Jacques Carlu, and Léon Azéma. It features two distinct wings that form a sweeping arc, incorporating elements of the earlier Palais du Trocadéro with additional, taller sections in front. The central pavilions, larger in size, are remnants of the original Palais du Trocadéro, now enveloped in newer constructions. While the main hall and towers of the old palace were removed, only the basement remains, topped by a spacious esplanade, offering a clear view from the Place du Trocadéro to the Eiffel Tower.

The building is adorned with Paul Valéry's famous quotes and artistic sculptures at the attic level by Raymond Delamarre, Carlo Sarrabezolles, and Alfred Bottiau. The terrace of the Rights of Man features eight magnificent gilded statues, created by renowned sculptors Alexandre Descatoire, Marcel Gimond, Jean Paris dit Pryas, Paul Cornet, Lucien Brasseur, Robert Couturier, Paul Niclausse, and Félix-Alexandre Desruelles.

This architectural marvel now hosts several museums:

• In the southern (Passy) wing, it houses the Musée national de la Marine (Naval Museum) and the Musée de l'Homme (Museum of Prehistory and Anthropology).
• The eastern (Paris) wing is home to the Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine, which includes the Musée national des Monuments Français. This wing also provides access to the Théâtre national de Chaillot, a theatre situated beneath the esplanade.