Built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition, this huge exhibition hall spans a total area of 72,000 sq. m (775,000 sq. ft.), with the biggest glass roof in Europe—an elegant lighting solution, since the building was constructed prior to electricity. After years of renovations, the Grand Palais is now as gorgeous as it was when it opened. It hosts a changing array of sporting and cultural events, as well as blockbuster temporary art exhibits (previous ones have included Rodin and Pissarro) in the adjacent gallery. These tend to be mob scenes, so it pays to buy tickets in advance if you are in town during a big show. The entrance to the big exhibits is usually at the side entrance, 3 av. du Général Eisenhower.