Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The palace of Jena, built by architect Auguste Perret in 1937, is one of the three permanent buildings of the Universal Exhibition of Paris that same year. Originally planned to house the National Museum of Public Works, it is built on the hill of Chaillot by the Société des grandes travaux en concrete des frères Perret. Despite unfinished works, the museum partially opened in 1939, but World War II delayed its complete completion until 1943. The building is distinguished by its 300-seat hemicycle, covered with a double dome, and its monumental staircase suspended by horse iron.

After the museum closed in 1955 for lack of attractiveness, the palace temporarily welcomed the Assembly of the French Union in 1956, which remodeled the Chamber by removing lateral accesses and adding steps. In 1959, the Economic and Social Council (now Economic, Social and Environmental Council) finally settled there. In 1960, architect Paul Vimond, student of Perret, completed the second wing along the Avenue of President Wilson. The hypostyle room, furnished by Pierre Paulin in 1987, becomes a versatile place, welcoming institutions such as the Union of Western Europe (until 2011) or the Citizen Climate Convention (from 2019).

Ranked as a historical monument in 1993 for parts designed by Perret (rotonde, wing avenue d'Iéna and floors), the palace is also a popular cinema setting. Its iconic architecture, combining concrete and geometric elegance, makes it a symbol of modern Parisian heritage. Since 2016, it has also hosted major political events, such as the election of the president of the Greater Paris metropolis.

Future

The Iéna Palace is the seat of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council and the International Chamber of Commerce.

External links