Built in 1931 for the Colonial Exhibition, the Palais de la Porte Dorée is an Art Deco masterpiece in Paris. It now houses two museums.
Did you know that a little-known Art Deco monument is hidden away in Paris? To find it, head to Avenue Daumesnil in the 12
th
arrondissement. This is where you will find the Palais de la Porte Dorée, a vast 17,000-square-metre building and one of the most representative examples of this architectural movement in Paris.
Built in 1931 for the International Colonial Exhibition, it stands as a witness to the transformations of the 20
th
century. Today, it houses two major institutions: the Museum of the History of Immigration and the Tropical Aquarium. Far from its colonial past, the palace is now a space for reflection and discovery.
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A complex evolution
The Palais de la Porte Dorée was built in just 18 months for the 1931 International Colonial Exhibition. Designed by French architect Albert Laprade, it originally housed the Museum of the Colonies. Its aim, as explained on the palace’s website, was to ‘represent the territories, the history of colonial conquest, and its impact on the arts.’
In 1935, it became the Museum of Overseas France, before evolving into the Museum of African and Oceanian Arts in 1960. The process of decolonisation gradually changed both its role and how it was perceived. In 1990, it was renamed once again, becoming the National Museum of the Arts of Africa and Oceania.
In 2012, a new chapter began with the opening of the Museum of the History of Immigration. Since then, the site has explored migration journeys and French identity. Its mission is now to honour the populations who have contributed to the richness of French culture. Both permanent and temporary exhibitions aim to turn a controversial past into a space for dialogue.
An Art Deco architecture
When designing the building, architect Albert Laprade envisioned a structure with clean lines yet monumental in scale—a hallmark of the Art Deco style. The façade spans thirteen metres in height, nine in width, and features 1,130 square metres of sculpted reliefs. This vast bas-relief was created by sculptor Alfred Janniot, a renowned figure in the monumental art of the 1930s. Above the main entrance, visitors can spot two deities: Ceres, goddess of the harvest, and Pomona, goddess of fruit.
The interior of the palace is just as magnificent. The main hall impresses with its monumental columns and a gilded ceiling adorned with intricate patterns. The palace is decorated with vast mural frescoes, both in the forum and in the Asia and Africa rooms. Each one depicts scenes inspired by the colonies and their contributions to France.
Two institutions at the heart of one Palace
As said, since 2012, the Palais de la Porte Dorée has housed the Museum of the History of Immigration. Its aim is to explore the journeys of migrants who have come to France over the past two centuries. Through exhibitions, archives, and testimonies, it sheds light on the realities of exile and integration. The permanent exhibition and cultural events encourage critical and inclusive reflection and foster public debate on identity.
Another major attraction of the palace is its tropical aquarium, a vestige of the 1931 Colonial Exhibition. It showcases a wide variety of aquatic species, from albino alligators to surgeonfish. This educational space raises public awareness about the preservation of marine ecosystems. In this way, the Palais de la Porte Dorée combines history, culture, and nature.
Palais de la Porte Dorée
293 Avenue Daumesnil
75012 Paris
palais-portedoree.fr