The French Pavilion – built by Quadri and Colombo Co. – is on two floors. The main forward wing, placed at in the middle of the facade of the building is connected to the forward lateral wings by two colonnaded recessed wings. The central part of the building includes a large hall, covered by a daring dome, measuring – at the peak of its cusp – a height of 50 meters from the ground, while all the risalits are a good 14 meters high. The different galleries, which constitute the exhibition, begin in the main central hall. The main facade of the building is 193 meters long. Between it and the bank of the Po, flowerbeds, richly decorated with large vases with harmonious balustrades, give the place an atmosphere of poetic and sumptuous elegance. This is a welcoming meeting place for visitors, also for the panorama of the opposite bank of the Po that one enjoys from this spot.

Part of the French Section. Separate building (left bank of the river Po) from the building

Gualtiero Castellini was a journalist, a writer and an Italian politician. He grew up in the legend of his grandfather, a Garibaldino sergeant: his story and personal life probably influenced Castellini's works and political opinions (in 1909 he published “Pagine Garibaldine (1848-1866)”). The author joined the Nationalistic party since its foundation (Firenze, 1910) where he played an influential role and was confirmed member of the General Committee during Rome meeting 1912 and Milan meeting 1914. Furthermore, as foreign correspondent of national newspapers he followed both the wars in Libya and Balkans’, and in 1914 he was in favor of interventionism. During these years abroad he wrote "Tunisi e Tripoli" (1911) and the diary "Tre anni di guerra" (post., 1919). Finally, he joined the Army, and gained several medals and military recognitions; in particular, he distinguished himself during the battle of Caporetto. He died few years later during a battle in France.