Palais Royal
Palais Royal (formerly Palais Cardinal) is one of the most striking sights in Paris. The palace was built for Cardinal Richelieu in the 17th century and became famous for its lavish interiors. The garden at the Palais Royal is always crowded. Not only foreign tourists come here. Parisians, familiar with the magnificent palace from childhood, throughout their lives never cease to admire the royal residence.
Video: Palais Royal
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Travelers will find it useful to know that several centuries ago, the land on which the modern Palais Royal is located was called the Angen estate. In the early 17th century, Cardinal Richelieu, also known by the nickname “Red Cardinal”, became interested in Angen. Active political activity did not allow him to settle outside the city, and the estate of Angen gave the opportunity to be in the heart of Paris and at the same time be away from the noise.
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After becoming the owner of the estate, Richelieu hired an architect, his friend Jacques Lemercier, to undertake the renovation and construction. In just a few years, a palace was erected, called the Palais Cardinal, that is, “the palace of the cardinal”. At the request of the new owner Anjen, the luxurious building was surrounded by a park. Inside the house of Richelieu appeared library, art gallery and theater. Inside the palace looked no less chic than outside. The cardinal decorated it with expensive antiques – paintings by famous European artists, sculptures and porcelain..The Palais Cardinal was the envy not only of the most influential people in France, but even of King Louis XIII. Known for his cunning, the “Red Cardinal” bequeathed the palace to the sovereign, thus escaping royal envy. Louis XIII was unable to enjoy life in the luxurious palace, as he outlived the first owner by only a year.
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One of the most beautiful sights in Paris received its current name in the mid-seventeenth century, when Anne of Austria became the mistress of the Palais Cardinal. Palais Royal means “royal palace.” During the following decades, the building was repeatedly rebuilt. The next owner chose not only the look of his house, he also determined the extent to which the Palais Royal was accessible to the common people. The Duke of Orleans opened the doors of his residence to Parisians, surrounding it with cafes and shops, organizing near the palace circus shapito. On the territory of the Palais-Royal police had no right to monitor order. Under Louis XVIII, the residence was no longer accessible to ordinary people. Balls and literary evenings were organized here, which could only be attended by members of the French elite.
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During the Paris Commune, the royal residence was burned down. However, it was rebuilt a few years later. Since 1873, the palace has been home to the Ministry of Culture, the Constitutional Council and the Council of State. Over the last century, the Palais Royal has remained virtually unchanged: it has hardly been reconstructed or rebuilt. The beauty and luxury of the palace once delighted Russian historian N. Karamzin, who called the residence of the kings “the capital of Paris.”
.Sights
Unfortunately, there are no guided tours inside the palace, but it is free to enter the Palais Royal. Tourists should pay attention to several sights.
>The Columns of Buren
There are strange black and white columns of different lengths in front of the royal palace. They appeared here in 1986 as part of the Two Squares project. Each column is faced with plates of black and white marble. The protests of Parisians, caused by the appearance of the new landmark, were no less fierce than the discussions related to the construction of the Eiffel Tower in the XIX century. Nevertheless, artist Daniel Buren was able to realize his project and install 260 columns. Today, the black and white columns are considered an integral part of the palace complex.
.Paul Bury’s fountains
Two unusual fountains with metal balls are located in front of the entrance to the Palais-Royal palace just like the columns. The project of the attraction appeared in 1985. Its author was the Belgian artist Paul Bury. The water in this design does not rise upwards, as in conventional fountains, but flows on a flat base between the balls.
.Comédie Française
Travelers who speak French should visit the country’s only state theater, the Comédie Française. Today, its building is part of the palace complex. In the XVIII century, part of the Palais Royal was destroyed, and the theater was built in its place. One of the unofficial names of the Comédie Française is “The House of Molière”. The troupe of the great French comediographer performed in the palace even before the theater appeared.
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The charter of the cultural institution was created by Napoleon Bonaparte during his stay in Moscow in 1812. This document, with minor amendments, is still in force today. In 1954, the Comédie Française came on tour to the USSR for the first time, giving performances in both capitals. The touring program included the plays “A bourgeois in the nobility”, “The Cid” and “Tartuffe.”
.“Comédie Française” cherishes its history. Studying the program for the performance, you should pay attention to the serial number of the performance. The countdown goes back to the XVII century.
.The most beautiful attraction of the Palais-Royal palace complex is the park, which appeared under Cardinal Richelieu. For almost four centuries, the trees and shrubs were carefully tended. The park was decorated with sculptures.
.How to get there
The Palais Palais-Royal is located in the first arrondissement of Paris, in the heart of the French capital. It can be reached on foot. Tourists who are too far from the first arrondissement can use the metro by taking the metro to the station of the same name. The palace is located near the famous Louvre. You can enter the complex from Place Colette. The park’s opening hours are from 7.30 to 20.30 daily.
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