Les Journées Européennes du Patrimoine: Palais Royal (Part 4 of 4)

Our visit to the Palais Royal continues. 

Final stop, the Conseil Constitutionnel (Constitutional Council).  France's Conseil Constitutionnel is another arm of the national government.  The council reviews the constitutionality of proposed legislation before adoption as well as any adopted legislation that is challenged in a judicial proceeding by a citizen impacted by the legislation.  The council was created in 1958 by the constitution of France's Fifth Republic.

Like the other governmental bodies housed in the Palais Royal, the Constitutional Council has ornate offices.  For example, below is a long, beautifully decorated hall that today serves as an office filled with many desks and computers.  Can you imagine going to work every day in an office with gilded, carved woodwork, chandeliers and a painted ceiling?

Another Constitutional Council chamber is equally ornate.  Below is a large room that functions as a reception hall called the Grand Salon.  

Next to the Grand Salon is la salle à manger, or dining room (pictured below).  The room once served as the private dining room of the family of Napoleon III's cousin, who had apartments in the Palais Royal.

Below is the lavish office of the president of the Constitutional Council.

The office is so lavish that even the tassels have tassels.  Check it out.

We admired the modern artwork, in the president's office.

We enjoyed our visit to the Palais Royal and felt fortunate to be in Paris during the European Heritage Days when the Palais Royal was opened to the public.

At the end of the visit, Marie-Chantal made her grand exit. 

Marie-Chantal descends the Escalier Montpensier.

Marie-Chantal was especially pleased with her free tote bag.

Thanks for visiting the Palais Royal with us.