The Palais Royal is just opposite to the Louvre; the metro station is called “Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre”, with a very special entry design which I posted about in June.
The Palais Royal was built in the beginning of the 17th century for Cardinal Richelieu and was first known as Palais Richelieu. After Richelieu, some other occupants have been Queen Anne of Austria, Cardinal Mazarin, the young Louis XIV, several dukes of Orléans (the cadet branch of the Bourbons) including the “Regent” and “Philippe Egalité”, some Napoleon relatives… Today it houses the Conseil d’Etat (the Constitutional Council), the Ministry of Culture etc…
"Philippe Egalité" (Louis Philippe II) who actively supported the French revolution – but anyhow was guillotined - was the one who opened the gardens to the public and also had the structures around the garden, the colonnades etc. built.
The gardens, with shops, cafés and restaurants under the colonnades became very popular and some events linked to the revolution took place here. Among the restaurants, “Le Grand Véfour” (3 Michelin stars) can be mentioned.
The place is also known for its theatres. In the palace you could e.g. find a theatre where Molière played regularly and made his last performance. (This theatre later burnt.) "Philippe Egalité" also integrated a new theatre (1790) which later was to become the National Theatre, “La Comédie Française”. In another corner you can find another, as old, smaller but beautiful theatre with the name “Palais Royal”.
The black and white columns you can see (with a black and white young lady sitting on of them) – “les Colonnes de Buren” - were put there in 1986; a piece of art which has been as much contested as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvres pyramid…
One more small detail: This little canon was placed in the garden in 1786. A magnifying glass was supposed to set fire to wick each (sunny) day at noon and to provoke a small “bang”. It is now supposed to work again (not the day I was there). 
Some of the photos in the patchwork can be found on my other blog “Peter – photos”.
The Palais Royal was built in the beginning of the 17th century for Cardinal Richelieu and was first known as Palais Richelieu. After Richelieu, some other occupants have been Queen Anne of Austria, Cardinal Mazarin, the young Louis XIV, several dukes of Orléans (the cadet branch of the Bourbons) including the “Regent” and “Philippe Egalité”, some Napoleon relatives… Today it houses the Conseil d’Etat (the Constitutional Council), the Ministry of Culture etc…
"Philippe Egalité" (Louis Philippe II) who actively supported the French revolution – but anyhow was guillotined - was the one who opened the gardens to the public and also had the structures around the garden, the colonnades etc. built.
The gardens, with shops, cafés and restaurants under the colonnades became very popular and some events linked to the revolution took place here. Among the restaurants, “Le Grand Véfour” (3 Michelin stars) can be mentioned.
The place is also known for its theatres. In the palace you could e.g. find a theatre where Molière played regularly and made his last performance. (This theatre later burnt.) "Philippe Egalité" also integrated a new theatre (1790) which later was to become the National Theatre, “La Comédie Française”. In another corner you can find another, as old, smaller but beautiful theatre with the name “Palais Royal”.
The black and white columns you can see (with a black and white young lady sitting on of them) – “les Colonnes de Buren” - were put there in 1986; a piece of art which has been as much contested as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvres pyramid…
One more small detail: This little canon was placed in the garden in 1786. A magnifying glass was supposed to set fire to wick each (sunny) day at noon and to provoke a small “bang”. It is now supposed to work again (not the day I was there). Some of the photos in the patchwork can be found on my other blog “Peter – photos”.
Those are lovely photos, Peter - I feel like I'm strolling around the Palais with you! But the lack of customers at the Glace stand tells me it's a bit chilly in Paris today ;-)
ReplyDeleteI am also not impressed with “les Colonnes de Buren” - I thought the courtyard could be better utilized...
Heheh.....wonderful place I must say.....I never get tire of it :D
ReplyDeleteYou took me on a very informative historical tour today, Peter, and I enjoyed it every step of the way.
ReplyDeletehi Peter,
ReplyDeletei was in Paris once while transiting to Conakry, Guinea. What a place to be :-)
I just googled two words 'fractal' and 'software' and found plenty of them which can be downloaded to make the art of mathematical patterns.
try them :-)
ty for the details of it..WOW very interesting...in 1700s n all!
ReplyDeleteKeshi.
c'est un tres bel endroit pour se promener, et bravo pour la photo de la statue avec les pigeons ;o) on dirait qu'ils posent pour toi
ReplyDeleteyour photos are so wonderful to see, and you have taken me on a wonderful tour of a place i will never be able to go too. Thank you
ReplyDeletewhy you didnt took any of Eva Longoria and Tony Parker last sat?
ReplyDeleteOh Peter,
ReplyDeleteHow many times do I have to tell you that you are a master in telling details about Paris. I just love it !
I missed this museum on my visit there. I know I'll have to go there once more. :(
Oh what beautiful photos! I will be visiting my friend in Trier on Monday and the week after we are going to drive down to Paris hopefully!!.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question the people on the beach are mostly local.
azer m:
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot! I will have a look!
drama div@:
Even if I would have wished to, it would not have been possible. Exclusive contract with UK magazine; nobody could see or photograph anything - all fans angry and frustrated!
dina:
If you wish and have the time, I would be happy to meet you and your family!
... everybody:
Hope to see you around one day!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJ'aime beaucoup cet endroit et tes photos lui rendent un bel hommage. As-tu déjà assisté à une représentation à la Comédie française? Encore une chose que je voudrais bien faire un jour...Bonne journée, Peter.
ReplyDeletealice:
ReplyDeleteOui, mais il y a très longtemps! Oui, à faire ou à refaire!
Tu as ici encore de très belles photos
ReplyDeleteC'est dur de choisir n'est ce pas ?
Paris est si belle !
J'aime particulièrement la perspective que tu as mise sur le montage du haut, celle du coin en bas à gauche
J'aime aussi celle qui est juste en dessous
De très belles perspectives qui rendent bien la magnificences des lieux
Il y en a d'autres très belles bien sûr
J'aime bien les roses aussi, cela donne un coté éphémère et périssable à toute cette beauté éternelle...
Another nice set of photos and the narrative is good to read too.
ReplyDeleteAbraham Lincoln
Brookville Daily Photo
Tu auras peut-être l'occasion de voir nos commentaires pendant tes vacances dans le Midi. Je n'ai pas eu le temps de répondre avant (journée chargée) mais j'ai déjà commencé à essayer de convaincre Cergie de nous rejoindre. Nous sommes en pourparlers. As-tu une préférence pour le lieu et/ou le restaurant?
ReplyDeletehpy:
ReplyDeleteJ'espère bien de voir Cergie (et d'autres) se joindre à nous!!
Beautiful photos and great reportage, Peter! I enjoy so much to know Paris through your eyes and words!
ReplyDeletei think it will take 100 yrs and lots of money to discover all the wonderul places in France...thanks for shortening the time and absolutely free here...lol
ReplyDeleteJag snodde just bilden av P Royal av dig o den ståtar nu på mitt "skrivbord"! Läcker bild på alla sätt! Ha de fint !
ReplyDeletethose are rose bushes?
ReplyDeleteThat is so beautiful!!
The photos are really very nice..Am so happy to see this nice pics presented by you....Glad to see your post...
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for making the truthful effort to explain this. I feel very strong about it and would like to read more. If you can, as you find out more in depth knowledge, would you mind posting more posts similar to this one with more information.
ReplyDeleteThis one is very nicely written and it contains many useful facts. I am happy to find your distinguished way of writing the post. Now you make it easy for me to understand and implement expressed.
ReplyDelete