Domaine National du Palais Royal
Jardin du Palais Royal, 8 Rue Montpensier, 75001 Paris
Website – tel : 01 47 03 92 16
Open daily. Free entrance.
October through March : 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. ;
April through September : 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Free tour of the garden and courtyard. Guided tours available
Just steps from the Louvre, the Palais-Royal reveals itself as a haven of calm and elegance in the heart of Paris. Built in the 17th century for Cardinal Richelieu, it quickly became a place of power and influence, successively hosting the royal family, the young Louis XIV, and later the House of Orléans.
Its harmonious and classical architecture reflects the grandeur of the era. Behind its arcaded galleries lie the gardens of the Palais-Royal, designed as a green sanctuary at the center of the city. Long reserved for the court, they gradually opened to the public and, in the 18th century, became one of the liveliest centers of Parisian life.
Cafés, shops, theatres, and gaming houses attracted writers, artists, and the curious. It was here that political debates, intellectual movements, and fashionable encounters flourished, making the Palais-Royal a hub of effervescence and avant-garde spirit.
Today, visitors discover a place both historic and serene. The carefully maintained gardens offer a refined promenade among flowerbeds, linden-lined paths, and a central fountain. They are bordered by the famous Colonnes de Buren, a contemporary installation that has become iconic, creating a dialogue with the classical architecture of the surrounding galleries.
