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Origin and history

The Palais de la Porte Dorée was erected in 18 months by architect Albert Laprade for the International Colonial Exhibition of 1931 in Paris. This jewel of Art Deco, blending French classicism and Arab-Muslim influences (zenithal lighting, natural ventilation), was to celebrate the greatness of the colonial Empire. Its monumental façade, adorned with a bas-relief by Alfred Janniot (1,128 m2), illustrates the riches of the colonies, while the festive hall, now Forum, houses a propagandist fresco by Pierre-Henri Ducos de La Haille, which exalts the "benefits" of colonization.

Originally named Musée des Colonies (1931–35), the palace changed its vocation several times: Musée de la France d ́outre-mer (1935), Musée des arts africains et océaniens (1960), then Musée national des Arts d'Afrique et d'Oceania (1990–2003). In 2007, it became the National City of Immigration History, renamed the National Museum of Immigration History in 2012. The latter, unique in France, explores two centuries of migration and their cultural contributions, while addressing contemporary issues such as identities or nationalism.

The tropical aquarium, present since 1931, was designed to show the fauna of the colonies. Today, it highlights global aquatic biodiversity (fish, corals, rays) and raises awareness of the preservation of ecosystems. Partially classified as historical monuments in 1987 (facade and bas-relief), the palace has been managed since 2012 by the Public Institution of the Golden Gate Palace (EPPPD), which also supervises the museum and aquarium.

The architecture of the palace synthesizes several styles: the colonnade evokes the Louvre, while the Africa fairs (meubles by Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann, frescoes by Louis Bouquet) and Asia (decors by André Lemaître) celebrate the artistic contribution of the colonies. These spaces, former offices of Minister Paul Reynaud and Marshal Lyautey, reflect the exoticism and egyptomania of the 1930s. The building, conceived as a colonial propaganda tool, masked the realities of exploitation to promote an idealized vision.

Since 2007, the museum has organized temporary exhibitions (Ciao Italia!, Persona grata) and published the magazine Men & Migrations, a reference on migration phenomena. The aquarium offers exhibitions such as Baleinopolis to educate on marine environments. The palace, an ambiguous symbol of colonial history, is today a place of memory and debate on the legacy of immigration in France.

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