France swung open its doors to the world for a grand exhibition not once, but five times from 1855 to 1900. The Exposition Universelles were meant to showcase the artistic and cultural grandeur of France. Many of Paris' structures were created expressly for these expositions, but they have grown into icons in their own right. The Eiffel Tower was unveiled for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, but many were strongly opposed to the monument at the time. Likewise, the public had harsh criticism for the Grand Palais when it was completed for the 1900 Exposition Universelle, favoring the Petit Palais instead. Ironically, these once highly controversial buildings have become some of the iconography of the city. The public interacted with these spaces and more during the fairs, including the Pont Alexandre III, Les Invalides, and the Trocadero Gardens.
Millions of people still flock to these locations, but the ways they interact with the spaces have changed over the years. As the physical spaces have evolved, so has tourism, technology, and the ways that people visit these monuments. The history of the Exposition Universelles remains tucked away in these spaces and monuments, but the remnants of the fairs, and the phenomenon of exhibitions, can still be found amongst the grandeur.