Palace of Europe

The Palace of Europe is the headquarters of the Council of Europe, a governmental body in Strasbourg's European Quarter. The imposing structure spans multiple floors with distinctive architecture featuring red, silver, and brown surfaces alongside large window facades.

The building opened in 1977, replacing the earlier House of Europe as the new seat of the Council of Europe. The European Parliament used the palace until 1999 as one of its working locations before relocating to other venues.

The building serves as a visible symbol of European cooperation, where people from different countries gather to work on shared concerns. The spaces are designed to facilitate discussion and exchange between nations.

The building can be visited but requires advance booking and operates on weekdays. Visitors should register ahead of time and check opening hours, as these may vary depending on visitor demand.

Flags of all Council of Europe member states hang from the façade, displaying the broad composition of the organization. The central Hemicycle chamber is known for its architecture that enables discussion and collaboration among delegated countries.

Location: Strasbourg

Inception: 1970

Architects: Henry Bernard

Operator: Conseil de l'Europe

Address: Avenue de l'Europe

Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 09:00-12:00; 14:00-18:00

Phone: +33388412000

Website: https://coe.int/fr/web/portal

GPS coordinates: 48.59500,7.77194

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:44