Porte Maillot

Porte Maillot sits at a major traffic junction where several main roads converge between the 16th and 17th arrondissements. The site is defined by its role as a transport hub, with the contemporary Palais des Congrès occupying the surrounding area.

The gate was built during the 1860s as part of the Thiers fortification walls that defended Paris during a turbulent period. Though the walls were removed over time, the location kept its name and remained a key boundary point in the city.

The name traces back to a recreational ball game played here during the 17th century, and the area retains a sense of gathering and exchange. The surrounding district with the Palais des Congrès serves as a major meeting point for people from around the world today.

The location is easily accessible by public transport, with multiple metro lines and an RER train station at the site itself. Visitors can explore the area on foot or arrive by car, as major roadways connect directly to the junction.

The recreational game that inspired this location's name was an early version of croquet and drew nobility and wealthy Parisians during the 17th century. Today, only the name recalls this vanished leisure world.