Paris expo Porte de Versailles

Paris Expo Porte de Versailles is a site of Viparis. The company has nine locations altogether, including Paris Le Bourget and Paris-Nord Villepinte Parc des Expositions among others. From its opening in 1923, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles has been one of the key European venues, hosting numerous public and strictly professional events for the automotive, agricultural, fashion, gaming, hospitality, retail and publishing sectors. The exhibition complex welcomes over 7,5 million visitors each year.

In 2015 an ambitions 3-phase renovation project was launched, starting the transformation of Paris Expo Porte de Versailles into a more sustainable, functional and attractive space. Several world-famous architects and artists were involved in the project.

Phase 1 was completed in 2017, as planned. Dominique Perrault created the new distinctive look of Pavilion 1 – the lustrous and transparent Great Sail. The duo Denis Valode and Jean Pistre designed Pavilion 4 and the new Pavilion 7, including the Paris Convention Centre, which boasts a 5200 seat-plenary hall and is currently the largest in Europe.

During Phase 2 (2018 – 2020) Jean Nouvel consolidated Pavilions 6 and 8, adding a bold canopy design at the entrance of the newly formed Pavilion 6. It was complemented by Arne Quinze’s monumental sculpture ‘‘The Beautiful Dreamer’’. Jean- Michel Wilmotte worked on the architectural project for the 2 new hotels within the grounds of Paris Expo Porte de Versailles - Mama Paris West (207 rooms) and Novotel Paris Porte de Versailles (245 rooms).

Phase 3 (2021 – 2024) is concentrated on the reconstruction and modernisation of Pavilions 2 and 3 by Christian de Portzamparc creating an intriguing horizontal façade. By the end of the project Paris Expo Porte de Versailles will offer 216 000 sq metres of exhibition area as well as 72 000 sq metres of green spaces. The latter will include 46,000 sq metres of green roofs and a vegetable garden covering 14,000 sq metres.

The venue is located between the Boulevards des Maréchaux and Boulevard Périphérique. It can be accessed by car via the A1, A3, A4, A6, A10, A13, A14 and A15 motorways. However, drivers should keep in mind that the traffic is usually quite heavy.

As part of its sustainable development strategy, Viparis encourages the use of public transportation to and from the exhibition complex, whenever possible. The most popular option is perhaps metro line 12 (Porte de Versailles station), enabling visitors to avoid the busy Parisian traffic. Line 12 is one of the longest in the Paris metropolis and its current 15-km route will be further expanded in the near future. The attractions to be reached by taking line 12 include Le Bon Marché, Musée d’Orsay, Jardin des Tuileries, the Louvre and Montmartre. The decorations gracing some of line 12’s stations are worth exploring as well, with Assemblée Nationale, Concorde and Saint Lazare being the most notable examples.

The Porte de Versailles station has two exits - exit 1 offers access to pavilions 2 - 7 and exit 2 leads to pavilion 1.

The venue is also served by tram and bus networks. Tram lines T2 and T3a and bus line 80 stop at Porte de Versailles – Parc des Expositions, while bus line 39 stops at Desnouettes.

The renovated Paris Expo Porte de Versailles has 7 modern pavilions, connected by a central semi-covered passage with high-tech signage and moving walkways.

The spacious Pavilion 1 (44,882 sq m) welcomes visitors with a new façade and natural light. Pavilion 2 (27,278 sq m) has 2 levels with separate entrances. Pavilion 3 (22,421 sq m) and Pavilion 4 (19,236 sq m) are situated in the heart of the exhibition complex and both have glass façades, allowing in daylight. Located in close proximity to the main entrance and the metro station, Pavilion 5 (18,205 sq m) also provides 2 entrances and 2 levels. The roof of Pavilion 6 (15,330 sq m) houses the venue’s urban gardens. The 2-level Pavilion 7 (43 526 sq m) with Paris Convention Centre on level 3 is considered the flagship of Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, due to its flexibility and stunning views of the city.

© Viparis 2022