Paris: Art Deco

Town planners have long viewed Paris as a city shaped by its monumental buildings, and during the 1930s the Art Deco movement embraced this vision fully. Characterized by elegant ornamentation, purity of lines, and grand, almost palatial proportions, Art Deco architecture offered a modern interpretation of Parisian prestige. This walking tour brings that remarkable era back to life, guiding you through the spirit of innovation and luxury that defined the period. Emerging from the landmark Art Decorative Exhibition of 1925, the movement grew steadily before reaching its height at the Art and Techniques Exhibition of 1937, a moment that celebrated bold creativity and cutting-edge design.

During these influential years, many architects—most of them little-known at the time—entered competitions that allowed them to experiment with new ideas about technology, materials, and modern living. Their work helped shape what is now recognized as the Art Deco District of Paris, an area that today houses several of the city's major cultural institutions. As we walk through this district, we will discover iconic sites such as the Champs-Élysées Theater, the monumental Tokyo Palace, and the striking Chaillot Palace, each of which stands as a testament to the ambition and artistry of this transformative architectural