Today, the Trocadéro is the site of the Palais du Chaillot. The vista here is a "must" when visiting Paris, as it takes in both the Palais and the Eiffel Tower. The 16th, which surrounds the Trocadéro, is one of Paris' most affluent areas, with a regal grandeur that's unmistakable. There are gourmet grocery stores here, fashion boutiques, charming cafés and of course astounding architecture around every bend. A Paris apartment rental in Trocadero quarter means luxury in every sense of the word.
The name "Trocadéro" comes from the Battle of Trocadéro, which took place in Cadiz in Southern Spain in the 19th century. A great battle was fought to intervene against Spanish liberals rebelling against Ferdinand VII, and this battle was instrumental in maintaining the reign of the Spanish Bourbon Ferdinand. It was a defining moment for the Restoration.
(Linguists will be interested to know the root of the word "Trocadéro" comes from the word meaning "trade place" or "emporium.")
In 1877, the event was commemorated with the "place de Trocadéro" (or Trocadéro Plaza) formerly known as the "place du Roi de Rome" (Plaza of the King of Rome). The official, full modern name is "du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre."
The former Palais du Trocadéro was located here, created for World Exposition of 1867. It had a large, double-winged concert hall, two towers, and was in what might be termed a Moorish style. Designed by architect Gabriel Davioud, it featured a large organ created by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, which has since been relocated to Lyon, where is sits in the Maurice Ravel Auditorium (and is still used).
Unfortunately, the Palais du Trocadéro proved unpopular, and for the 1937 World's Fair, it was torn down and replaced by the Palais de Chaillot, which still stands today. The new palace was designed in a more modern style by a triumvirate of architects: Jacques Carlu, Léon Azéma and Louis-Hippolyte Boileau.
nterestingly, the new palace maintains echoes of the older design, perhaps in an effort to pay tribute to the structure that came before. Two wings were created on the foundation that held the former wings. But unlike the older palace, the wings are independent structures, not interconnected. A large esplanade creates an open vista from the place du Trocadéro to the Eiffel Tower.
The Palais du Chaillot has had several important historical moments, including the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights here in 1948. As a result, the esplanade now bears the name "Esplanade of Human Rights" (esplanade des droits de l'homme).
Several museums can be found in the Palace itself or nearby. The Human Evolution and Ethnology Museum (Musée de l'Homme) and the Naval Museum (Musée national de la Marine) are located in the one wing, and in the other is the the Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine, which includes the Museum of French National Monuments (Musée national des Monuments Français), Below the esplanade itself is the National Theatre of Chaillot.
There are film screenings here that many may find interesting. And nearby there are several museums to enjoy, such as the Musee National des Arts Asiatiques – Guimet, located on the Place d'Ilena, featuring an exquisite collection of Asian arts, with a collection that spans India, Japan, China, Southeast Asia and Tibet. The Musee du Pantheon Bouddhique, at 19 Avenue d'Iéna, showcases the original core of the collection.
Also nearby, the Palais de Tokyo, built contemporaneously with the Palais de Chaillot, houses the Musee d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. This exceptional collection of 20th century art is another "must-see" when visiting the Trocadéro.
The 16th is a place that has to be experienced. Economical choices abound that put you in this quiet, residential, yet unmistakably glamorous neighborhood that feels "out of the way" while letting you experience all the sights, sounds, colors and tastes that central Paris apartments for rent has to offer!
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