Palais Galliera, Fashion museum in 16th arrondissement, France
Palais Galliera is a fashion and costume museum in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, housing over 200,000 items spanning several centuries. The collection includes clothing, shoes, hats, gloves, photographs, and sketches shown through rotating exhibitions.
Maria Brignole Sale De Ferrari commissioned architect Léon Ginain to design this palace in 1879, which she bequeathed to the city of Paris. The building was converted into a fashion museum only in 1977, opening its galleries to rotating exhibitions after several years of renovation.
The rotating exhibitions display garments from French tailors and international designers, arranged in tall glass cases and thematic rooms. In some galleries, historical dresses hang beside contemporary pieces, allowing visitors to compare cuts and fabrics across generations.
The galleries open from Tuesday to Sunday between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM, with extended hours until 9:00 PM on Thursdays. Visitors interested in textile conservation or specific designers will find multilingual panels and a small documentation center inside.
The facade of carved limestone blocks resembles a traditional Renaissance structure, yet inside, a steel framework built by the Eiffel Company supports the floors and ceilings. This combination of classical exterior and industrial construction reflects the technical shift of the late 19th century.
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