Palais Bourbon, Parliament building in 7th arrondissement, France.
Palais Bourbon is a parliament building in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, standing on the left bank of the Seine and displaying a grand neoclassical colonnade with twelve columns along its northern facade. Inside, conference rooms, administrative offices and the central assembly chamber spread across the complex, while several interior courtyards bring natural light into the corridors.
Construction began in 1722 under commission by Louise-Françoise de Bourbon, with Pierre Cailleteau, Lorenzo Giardini and Robert de Cotte working on the design. After the Revolution the building became the seat of the National Assembly, and architects later added the colonnade facade to align the structure with the Madeleine church across the river.
The name recalls the noble Bourbon family whose member commissioned the building, though today the assembly chamber serves as the center of French democracy. Representatives sit in semicircular rows that encourage dialogue across political groups, and visitors watching from the gallery can see how the seating arrangement shapes debate.
Guided tours through the building are available on days when no sessions take place, and advance booking through the National Assembly website is recommended. Visitors should bring valid identification and allow time for security checks at the entrance before entering the public areas.
The library holds volumes and manuscripts seized from aristocratic collections during the French Revolution. Some of the original interior decoration dates from the 18th century and displays paintings showing mythological and allegorical scenes.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
