Seat of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Parliament building in Wacken district, Strasbourg, France
The Seat of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, known as the Louise Weiss building, is a modern complex in the Wacken district with a circular glass tower rising to 72 meters (236 feet). The structure combines this tower with a curved wing along the Ill River and a broad domed section housing the debating chamber.
Construction began in 1993 and finished in 1999, creating a permanent home for sessions previously held at the Council of Europe's Palace of Europe. The completion marked the shift to a dedicated facility for the European Union's parliamentary work in Strasbourg.
The building's official name honors Louise Weiss, a French journalist and feminist who campaigned for women's suffrage before becoming a member of the European Parliament. Her life and work connect the institution with the early struggle for democratic representation across Europe.
Visitors can enter the building during plenary sessions, but advance registration is required to pass security checks. The location in Wacken provides good connections to public transit and walking paths along the river.
The top of the glass tower remains deliberately unfinished, symbolizing the ongoing construction of the European project. This architectural choice expresses the idea that European integration continues to develop and remains a work in progress.
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