Next stop, the Conseil d'État (Council of State). France's Council of State is an arm of the national government that serves as legal advisor to the executive branch and the final court for administrative justice. The Conseil d'État, created in 1799, succeeded the Conseil du Roi (Council of the King).
The Conseil d'État has magnificent offices in the Palais Royal, including a monumental staircase at one of the entrances, the Escalier d'Honneur.
Below is a painting depicting Emperor Napoleon I after descending the Escalier d'Honneur.
Below is another dude descending the Escalier d'Honneur.
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| Jean-Claude descends the Escalier d'Honneur |
Apparently, the Conseil d'État is a large, active government agency with a large staff, many offices and several hearing rooms. The decor throughout is old and ornate, except for some modern furnishings like desks.
Below, in one of the ornate hearing rooms, we listened to a robed official explain the importance of the Conseil d'État. Because Marie-Chantal loves all things legal--hearing rooms, judicial robes, law books, etc.--she was as happy as could be touring the Conseil d'État,
Below, in one of the ornate hearing rooms, we listened to a robed official explain the importance of the Conseil d'État. Because Marie-Chantal loves all things legal--hearing rooms, judicial robes, law books, etc.--she was as happy as could be touring the Conseil d'État,
Because the Palais Royal was once a royal palace, it is decorated with marble and gold and some of the ceilings are painted.
Below is one of the Conseil d'État hearing rooms.
The Conseil d'État has a traditional law library, with carved wood.
While visiting the Conseil d'État, a happy discovery was seeing original paintings on the walls of the largest chamber, the Salle de l'Assemblée Générale. (pictured below).
The paintings are by French Impressionist painter Henri Martin (1860-1943). Commissioned in 1914, the paintings represent different types of work.
Commerce, the Old Port of Marseille
Industry or Public Works, works on the Place de la Concorde
Industry or Public Works, works on the Place de la Concorde
Intellectual Work, with a man walking in a forest
Agriculture, a harvest in the Lauragais
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