Place du Trocadéro: a plaza overlooking the Eiffel Tower in Paris

The Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre is a prominent square in Paris’s 16th arrondissement, located across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower.

History and Origins

The square’s name commemorates the Battle of Trocadero (1823), when French forces captured Fort Trocadéro near Cádiz, Spain, during French intervention in the Spanish civil war. The original palace built for the 1878 Universal Exposition was also named after this battle.

Palais de Chaillot

For the 1878 World’s Fair, architect Gabriel Davioud designed the original Palais du Trocadéro, an exotic Moorish-Byzantine style building featuring:

Two large towers flanking a concert hall
Elaborate decorative elements inspired by Islamic architecture
Gardens cascading down the hillside toward the Seine

While impressive, the building’s eclectic style eventually fell out of favor.

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For the 1937 International Exposition, the old palace was demolished and replaced with the Palais de Chaillot, designed by architects Carlu, Boileau, and Azéma. This Art Deco masterpiece features:

Two curved wings embracing an open terrace
A much more streamlined, modernist aesthetic
The famous Trocadéro Gardens with fountains and sculptures

The palace now houses several museums, including the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine and the Musée de l’Homme.

Things to Do Around the Trocadéro Plaza

Today, the esplanade is one of Paris’s most photographed locations, offering spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower. It’s a popular gathering place for tourists, street performers, and Parisians.

The esplanade offers the most iconic view and photo opportunity of the Eiffel Tower. The Trocadéro Gardens feature impressive synchronized water fountains, especially beautiful at night! The plaza is a hub for musicians, dancers, and other entertainers.

Best Times to Visit: Early morning for fewer crowds, or evening to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle (hourly light show after dark).

The area has numerous cafés with terrace seating, though they tend to be touristy and pricier due to the location. For better value, venture a few streets back from the plaza.

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Museums in Palais de Chaillot

Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine – Fascinating museum of French architecture with full-scale casts of famous buildings
Musée de l’Homme – Anthropology museum exploring human evolution and cultures
Musée National de la Marine – Naval museum (check if reopened after renovations)

Nearby Attractions (Walking Distance)

Eiffel Tower – Just across the Seine via Pont d’Iéna (5-minute walk)
Trocadéro Gardens – Stroll down the terraced gardens between the plaza and river
Musée du Quai Branly – World cultures museum near the Eiffel Tower
Palais de Tokyo – Contemporary art museum (10-minute walk)
Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris – Modern art collection in the same building as Palais de Tokyo
Avenue des Champs-Élysées – About 20 minutes on foot northeast