Palais-Royal

Palais-Royal
Entrance front of the Palais-Royal
Map
General information
LocationParis, France
Address204 Rue Saint-Honoré, Place du Palais-Royal
Current tenantsConseil d'État, Ministry of Culture, Constitutional Council
Construction started1633
Completed1639
Renovated1698–1700; 1719–1729; 1753–1779; 1782–1783; 1791–1793; 1828–1830
ClientCardinal Richelieu
Design and construction
Architect(s)
Website
domaine-palais-royal.fr

The Palais-Royal (French: [pa.lɛ ʁwa.jal]) is a former French royal palace located on Rue Saint-Honoré in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. The screened entrance court faces the Place du Palais-Royal, opposite the Louvre. Originally called the Palais-Cardinal, it was built for Cardinal Richelieu from about 1633 to 1639 by architect Jacques Lemercier. Richelieu bequeathed it to Louis XIII, before Louis XIV gave it to his younger brother, Philippe I, Duke of Orléans. As the succeeding Dukes of Orléans made such extensive alterations over the years, almost nothing remains of Lemercier's original design.

The Palais-Royal is now the seat of the Ministry of Culture, the Conseil d'État and the Constitutional Council. The central Palais-Royal Garden (Jardin du Palais-Royal) serves as a public park; its arcade houses shops.