Palais-Royal, Royal palace in 1st arrondissement, France.
Palais-Royal is a classical palace in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, encompassing a rectangular courtyard and gardens with fountains. The stone arcades form an enclosed frame on all four sides, while rows of trees line the pathways through the garden.
Cardinal Richelieu had the palace built between 1633 and 1639 by Jacques Lemercier, later bequeathing it to King Louis XIII. After the Revolution, the estate became publicly accessible and evolved into a commercial hub with cafés and shops.
The name recalls its origin as a royal residence, though today the complex houses government offices and shops beneath the arcades. Visitors can walk through the galleries and see where Parisians have been drinking coffee and buying books for centuries.
The garden opens daily in the morning and closes in the evening depending on the season, with free admission. The arcades are accessible during the day, though some shops and cafés follow their own hours.
The main courtyard displays 260 black and white striped columns of varying heights, installed by artist Daniel Buren in 1986. The columns form a geometric pattern and have become one of the most photographed sights in central Paris.
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