Description

Essentials about Palais Royal in brief

The Palais Royal is a Parisian city palace located in the heart of the city only about 150 meters north of the Louvre. Today, the Palais houses the Council of State in its main wing, the Comédie Française and the Constitutional Council in the west wing, and the Ministry of Culture in the east wing.

The history of Palais Royal

It was built at the beginning of the 17th century for the first minister of Louis XIII, Cardinal Richelieu. After his death in 1642, the palace became the property of the French crown and took its present name. Until 1870, it served as a residence for many members of the French royal family. In 1636, the palace theater was opened in an annex, where the acting troupe of the famous French playwright Molière performed from 1660 to 1673. Since 1786, the world-famous Comédie Française has been based here.

At the end of the 18th century, around the beautiful palace garden about 60 houses with arcades, which housed apartments, stores, catering establishments and entertainment facilities were built. This is where the nightlife of the capital was concentrated at that time. The arcades are still preserved today. In the courtyard of the Palais Royal (Cour d’Honneur), the walk-in artwork Les Deux Plateaux by the French installation artist Daniel Buren has been impressing since 1986.

Website

de.parisinfo.com/Palais-Royal

Opening hours

Opening hours Jan. – Mar. and Oct. – Dec.:

Admission fees

Free.

Address

Getting there

By public transport:

Métro lines 1 and 7: Stop Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre

Bus lines 21, 67, 69, 72, N11 and N24: Stop Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre

Bus lines 27, 39, 68 and 95: Stop Palais Royal – Comedie Francaise

By car:

The nearest parking garages are Louvre Samaritaine and Pyramides.