Can you visit the Palais-Royal?

The garden, arcades and main courtyard are open to the public, but the buildings housing the Council of State, the Constitutional Council and the Ministry of Culture are not open for general visits.

What are the striped columns in the courtyard?

They are Daniel Buren's work Les Deux Plateaux, installed in 1986 in the palace's main courtyard.

Is the Palais-Royal the same place as the Louvre?

No, they are two separate complexes, the Palais-Royal lies just north of the Louvre.

Who built the Palais-Royal?

It was built in the 17th century by Richelieu under architect Jacques Lemercier, later altered by Contant-d'Ivry and Pierre Fontaine.

Is the Comédie-Française located at the Palais-Royal?

Yes, the theatre built by Victor Louis between 1786 and 1790 occupies one wing of the complex and still hosts performances.

Domaine du Palais-Royal (ancien Palais Cardinal), comprenant Conseil d'Etat, Conseil Constitutionnel, Ministère de la Culture, théâtre de la Comédie Française

Paris 1er Arrondissement

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Paris 1er Arrondissement

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

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Domaine du Palais-Royal (ancien Palais Cardinal), comprenant Conseil d'Etat, Conseil Constitutionnel, Ministère de la Culture, théâtre de la Comédie Française stands in Paris 1er Arrondissement (Paris), in the Île-de-France region of France. The building is listed as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: 17th century, 18th century, 19th century). No visits are on record for this building.

North of the Louvre, the Palais-Royal grew out of the Palais-Cardinal built by Richelieu in the 17th century, who later bequeathed it to the crown. Once home to Anne of Austria and the young Louis XIV, then to the House of Orléans, the complex now houses the Council of State, the Constitutional Council, the Ministry of Culture and the Comédie-Française. Visitors mainly come for the arcades, the garden and Buren's striped columns in the main courtyard.

Written from Palais-Royal

What to know

The garden and arcades are freely accessible, but the administrative bodies housed there (Council of State, Constitutional Council, Ministry of Culture) are not open to visitors like an ordinary monument.
The main courtyard with Buren's columns can be walked through in a few minutes, with no particular effort required.
The Comédie-Française, located in one wing of the palace, operates as a working theatre rather than a heritage site open for touring.
The whole complex has been a listed historic monument since the 2021 decree establishing the Palais-Royal national estate.
The site is in central Paris, reachable by public transport, with no dedicated parking identified.

Where this château is

Paris 1er Arrondissement · Paris · Île-de-France

Map of the area around Domaine du Palais-Royal (ancien Palais Cardinal), comprenant Conseil d'Etat, Conseil Constitutionnel, Ministère de la Culture, théâtre de la Comédie Française

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Paris 1er Arrondissement, Paris

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Heritage status: Listed historic monument (classé); Mérimée record PA00085993
Period of construction: 17th century, 18th century, 19th century

In pictures

Frequently asked

Can you visit the Palais-Royal?: The garden, arcades and main courtyard are open to the public, but the buildings housing the Council of State, the Constitutional Council and the Ministry of Culture are not open for general visits.
What are the striped columns in the courtyard?: They are Daniel Buren's work Les Deux Plateaux, installed in 1986 in the palace's main courtyard.
Is the Palais-Royal the same place as the Louvre?: No, they are two separate complexes, the Palais-Royal lies just north of the Louvre.
Who built the Palais-Royal?: It was built in the 17th century by Richelieu under architect Jacques Lemercier, later altered by Contant-d'Ivry and Pierre Fontaine.
Is the Comédie-Française located at the Palais-Royal?: Yes, the theatre built by Victor Louis between 1786 and 1790 occupies one wing of the complex and still hosts performances.