Paris Through Design and Time

The most beautiful part of my hometown is nature, not buildings, so I had only been mildly interested in architecture before coming to Paris — but being surrounded by such distinct designs has made me appreciate the city from a different perspective. Focusing on the architecture in Paris has given me a deeper perception of how the city has evolved over time.

Before even entering the Grand Palais, seeing the facade and the statues from the street level gave me a greater admiration for how much detail and work was put into Paris’s public and civic buildings during the 19th century. Walking into the Palais Garnier made the history of the city feel tangible. The grand staircase and skylight encourage you to look up and admire the precision of everything. Every detail is intentional and beautiful.

Interior view of a grand, ornate opera house or palace hall with a large skylight, vaulted ceilings, intricate gold and dark brown decorations, columns, and chandeliers, with a few people scattered below.

The Grand Foyer of the opera house is easily one of the most impressive spaces I’ve visited. The rows of chandeliers and the detailed ceiling paintings illustrate how seamlessly the art and architecture were combined throughout the building.

Every corner of the Palais Garnier offered a new detail to admire. Taking the time to look at the columns, carvings, and light fixtures reveals the level of dedication behind the Beaux-Arts architecture.

Ornate gold and painted ceiling of a grand hall with multiple chandeliers.

Ornate golden interior of the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris, featuring grand chandeliers, gilded columns, and detailed ceiling frescoes.

A grand, ornate ceiling with a vibrant circular mural by Marc Chagall, surrounded by intricate gold leaf decorations, with a large, sparkling crystal chandelier hanging from the center.

Finding Marc Chagall's modern 1964 ceiling painting inside the historic opera theater was an unexpected highlight. Seeing bright modern art contrasting with the 19th-century gold balconies exemplifies how Paris naturally blends its rich history with newer art.

Visiting Église Saint-Jean-de-Montmartre offered a much quieter experience than anywhere else. The dark interior contrasted with the warm light coming through the stained glass windows, creating a peaceful atmosphere away from the busier areas of Montmartre.

Interior view of a dark church with high arched ceilings and rows of empty wooden pews leading to a large, colorful stained glass window at the far end. Sunlight streams through the window, creating bright patterns on the herringbone wooden floor. Several individuals are present, some seated and some standing, observing the serene space.

La Maison Rose restaurant, a pink building with green shutters and ivy, on a cobblestone street in Montmartre, Paris, under a blue sky.

La Maison Rose is a recognizable landmark of Montmartre. Tucked into the winding streets of the hilltop neighborhood, the building reflects the artistic history that shaped Montmartre. Its simple architecture and colorful exterior are a contrast to the grand monuments found throughout central Paris.

The interior of the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, a former train station, showcasing its iconic arched glass and steel roof, richly decorated ceilings, and a large clock, with numerous visitors viewing exhibits below.

Musée d’Orsay was another highlight of the trip. Learning that it was originally a train station built for the 1900 World’s Fair made standing beneath the expansive glass roof and historic station clock even more impressive. It’s a great example of how Paris gives historic structures new purposes, rather than leaving them as relics of the past.

The Géode, a large spherical mirrored building, reflecting the blue sky and surrounding landscape at Parc de la Villette on a sunny day.

Visiting La Géode behind Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie revealed a completely different side of Parisian design. The modern mirror sphere reflects the surrounding trees and sky, perhaps symbolizing that Paris’s architecture extends far beyond its historic stone buildings.

An expansive aerial view of the formal gardens of the Palace of Versailles, featuring intricate parterres, a round fountain, and a long canal under a partly cloudy sky at sunrise or sunset.

A trip to Versailles showcased how French design extends into the outdoor landscapes. The vastness of the palace and gardens helps one to better understand the reasons for the French Revolution. The view from the upper terrace overlooking the Orangerie gardens and central fountain gave me a better understanding of how landscape architecture was used to complement the grandeur of royal palaces.

The Galerie des Batailles at Versailles captures the grandeur that defines the Palace of Versailles. The endless rows of columns and vast scale of the room create a feeling of importance before even looking at the surrounding artwork. Every detail of Versailles was intentionally designed to impress visitors, and the space reflects how art and architecture were used to reflect the influence and ambition of the French monarchy.

A grand, opulent hall with an ornate dark and gold ceiling, tall dark columns, historical paintings on the walls, and a large grid-patterned skylight revealing a cloudy sky.

Nighttime cityscape of Paris with historical buildings, trees, and streetlights reflecting on the Seine River under a dark blue sky.

Ending the day along the Seine remains one of my favorite parts of studying abroad in Paris. Watching the street lamps reflect off the water with the traditional stone buildings as the backdrop is a quiet reminder of how connected the city’s architecture is to its tranquil riverfront.

A smiling young woman with long dark hair wearing a blue and gray t-shirt.

Paris Through Design and Time

Phoebe L.

Paris | University of Idaho

Finding Marc Chagall's modern 1964 ceiling painting inside the historic opera theater was an unexpected highlight. Seeing bright modern art contrasting with the 19th-century gold balconies exemplifies how Paris naturally blends its rich history with newer art.

Visiting Église Saint-Jean-de-Montmartre offered a much quieter experience than anywhere else. The dark interior contrasted with the warm light coming through the stained glass windows, creating a peaceful atmosphere away from the busier areas of Montmartre.

Visiting La Géode behind Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie revealed a completely different side of Parisian design. The modern mirror sphere reflects the surrounding trees and sky, perhaps symbolizing that Paris’s architecture extends far beyond its historic stone buildings.

Ending the day along the Seine remains one of my favorite parts of studying abroad in Paris. Watching the street lamps reflect off the water with the traditional stone buildings as the backdrop is a quiet reminder of how connected the city’s architecture is to its tranquil riverfront.

Phoebe L.

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