Palais Royal

The Palais Royal, originally known as the Palais Cardinal, is a historic city palace in Paris's 1st arrondissement, about 150 meters north of the Louvre. The complex was built between 1627 and 1629 by the architect Jacques Le Mercier for Cardinal Richelieu, chief minister to Louis XIII. After the cardinal's death in 1642, the building passed to the Crown and initially served as the residence of the queen mother, Anne of Austria, and the young kings Louis XIV and Philippe d'Orléans. This period was marked by the unrest of the Fronde, during which the royal family was forced to flee at times. One night in 1651, when rebellious citizens pushed their way into his bedchamber, left a particular mark on Louis XIV's later policies. That experience of powerlessness influenced his decision to move the seat of government to Versailles, since a location outside the city was considered easier to defend.

Today, the main wing of the Palais Royal houses the Council of State, while the west wing is home to the Comédie-Française and the Constitutional Council. The east wing is used by the Ministry of Culture. The site's theater tradition goes back to 1636, when a palace theater opened, where Molière later performed as well. After a devastating fire in the 18th century, the building was reconstructed, and it has served as the home of the Comédie-Française since 1786. In the 18th century, the Duke of Orléans had the so-called Galerie de Bois built, an extensive project with arcades, apartments, and entertainment venues that became the center of Parisian nightlife. These galleries also gave shelter to political movements of the Revolution, and it was here that Camille Desmoulins, among others, called for an uprising.

For visitors, the Palais Royal's courtyard of honor is a particular draw. Since 1986, it has been home to Les Deux Plateaux, a walk-through artwork by installation artist Daniel Buren. The surrounding galleries, some of which date from the 18th century, now house shops and restaurants. The complex, which was also home to well-known artists such as Jean Cocteau, thus combines government functions, cultural history, and modern art in one central spot in the French capital.