The Petit Palais (in the centre of the photo), the Grand Palais opposite it and the Alexandre-III bridge were all designed for the 1900 World Fair. Converted into the Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris in 1902, the Petit Palais houses the city’s permanent collections – accessible free of charge – as well as temporary exhibitions. Built by the architect Charles Girault, the palace has a great variety of volumes and a peristyle opening onto the garden, worthy of ancient Rome. Its painted and sculpted interior decorations – created between 1903 and 1925 – glorify Paris and celebrate the benefits of art.