Palais Bourbon

Paris is home to over a dozen former royal palaces. Some are world-famous tourist destinations, like the Palais Royal where King Louis XIV lived as a young boy, while others remain more discreet. The Palais Bourbon is one such example, located on the Left Bank of the Seine, its façade facing Place de la Concorde—renowned for its obelisk and majestic fountains.

Across the river stands the Louvre, once a palace centuries ago, offering a striking contrast to the political heart housed within Palais Bourbon. In 1722 Louise Françoise de Bourbon, daughter of Louis XIV, commissioned its construction. Architect Lorenzo Giardini started the work, joined later by Jacques Gabriel and Pierre Cailleteau Lassurance. Completed in 1728, the palace blends Classical and Baroque styles.

Following the French Revolution, royal estates—including Palais Bourbon—passed to the state, and in 1830 the National Assembly relocated there. Today it serves as the venue for legislative sessions. Visits require official invitation—but if you’re lucky, you can glimpse grand halls, the Assembly chamber, and historic artwork. Picture yourself standing outside—can you sense the columns, feel the weight of history?