Nestled within a sumptuous 19th‑century Neo‑Renaissance palace on Chaillot hill, the Palais Galliera – Fashion Museum of Paris faces the Eiffel Tower and embodies architectural elegance. Built between 1878 and 1894 by architect Léon Ginain, funded by the Duchess of Galliera, it showcases a steel framework by Gustave Eiffel alongside mosaics, painted ceilings, and grand, naturally-lit galleries. Though completed in 1895, it wasn’t until 1977 that the City of Paris officially transformed it into the fashion museum.

Today, it curates nearly 200,000 garments, accessories, photographs and prints—spanning centuries of fashion evolution. The museum offers rotating exhibitions (2–3 annually) alongside a revamped permanent display, debuted in 2021 in the lower galleries. Exhibitions explore topics such as sportswear, iconic designers, and fashion photography, set against refined and conservation-conscious exhibition design.

The atmosphere is sophisticated, intimate, and stimulating. The audience is diverse—fashion aficionados, art lovers, families, students—welcomed through accessible means such as tactile labels, audio guides, sign‑language tours, and creative workshops including hat‑making.

Practical details: entrance via Avenue Pierre Ier de Serbie; open Tuesday to Sunday 10 AM–6 PM, with late openings until 9 PM on Thursdays and Fridays; closed Mondays, Jan 1, May 1, Dec 25. Seasonal dining at “Les Petites Mains” on the terrace overlooking a garden and the Eiffel Tower resumes in summer 2025. Amenities include lockers, a well-stocked shop, restrooms, Wi‑Fi, a defibrillator, and Vigipirate security.

The venue is also available for bespoke events—private visits, cocktail receptions, dinners—hosting up to 400 guests.

Fascinating tidbits enrich the visit: originally used variably before 1977, it now stages outstanding exhibitions—Paolo Roversi’s photography, Stephen Jones’s playful hats, and Rick Owens’s retrospective in 2025—cementing its global reputation. Its transformed basement “cave,” revealed during renovation, now houses rare pieces in an evocative setting.