The Royal Palace is a complex comprising gardens, galleries, theater and, of course, the palace itself. Its classical architecture blends perfectly with the Parisian landscape and its rich history. Built almost 400 years ago by French politician Richelieu, a simple list of its occupants through the ages would serve as a testament to much of the history of France and Paris.
Today, the palace is home to the Ministry of Culture and other government councils. Located in the heart of the capital’s 1st arrondissement, it stands alongside the famous Louvre Museum and its pyramids, the prestigious Comédie Française and the immense Tuileries Gardens.
Anecdotes and curiosities about the Palais Royal
1. The Palais Royal opera house
The Palais Royal Opera House is a meeting place for high society. Unfortunately, a terrible fire broke out in 1763, damaging part of the palace. It was the Duc d’Orléans who lobbied the king until he ordered it rebuilt on the same site. In 1770, the new opera house was inaugurated, only to burn down again on June 8, 1781. This marked the end of the Opera’s presence at the Palais-Royal.
2. Childhood home of Louis XIV
In 1636, Richelieu decided to donate his Palais Cardinal to the king. The only condition on the contract is that it must only be used by the king and his succession, no one else. Anne of Austria, wife of King Louis XIII of France, moved into the palace after his death. Her son Louis XIV grew up there from the age of 5 to 12, as she was too young to reign and had to take on the role of regent until he came of age. The Palais Cardinal became the Palais Royal.
3. A garden full of history
In 1781, new galleries housed cafés, theaters and boutiques, giving the garden a second life. Louis-Philippe Joseph d’Orléans, who owned the place at the time, offered writers and thinkers a haven where they could express themselves in complete freedom (away from the royal guards). You could meet Jean-Paul Marat, or Camille Desmoulins, whose pamphlets sparked the popular uprising that led to the storming of the Bastille. The Palais Royal garden continued to inspire writers such as Jean Cocteau and Colette well into the 20th century.
What can you do at the Palais Royal?
Today, the Domaine du Palais Royal is open to the public, and you can visit its gardens and galleries completely free of charge. From October 1 to March 31, it is open from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm, and from April 1 to September 30 from 8:30 am to 10:30 pm. You can also pass through the gardens on a sunny afternoon for a game of pétanque, bring along a book to devour, or simply stroll around.
By metro: Lines 1, 7 and 14
By bus: Lines 21, 27, 39, 48, 69, 72, 81, 95
For several years now, Candlelight has been selecting the finest sumptuous Parisian addresses to showcase the greatest musical works of all time and provide a unique sensory experience. The Palais Royal is one of the capital’ s most beautiful monuments, a symbol of Parisian royalty and wealth, and has played host to many of these magical concerts.
Concerts last 60 minutes and doors open 30 minutes before showtime.