Assemblée Nationale, Paris

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The French parliament building, l'Assemblée Nationale, was built in the 18th century by the royal family, the Bourbons. The building was seized by the government after the French Revolution and turned into the parliament building. So it is somewhat of an irony that the name of the building, Palais Bourbon, refers to the royal family which was ousted by the revolution. The façade's Roman peristyle strategically faces place de la Concorde, with the matching façade of Eglise de la Madeleine at the other end.

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For a city like Paris and a country like France, the National Assembly house seemed a bit too ordinary to me. I was disappointed not only at the unimpressive building but also at the traffic in front of it. Quite unusual for an important place like that. It is close to the place de la Concorde.

Built for the Duchess of Bourbon, daughter of the ultimate autocrat Louis XIV.

It is now home to the French Parliament. Guided visits are available but be prepared to present your passport or national identity card for entrance.

The Assemblee Nationale is the first chamber of the French Parliament (5th Republic) and has little power. The Senate meets in the Palais-Luxembourg. Originally the Palais-Bourbon, it became a Parliament in 1792. The 577 members sit in a semicircular chamber (redone in 1828) facing the speaker who recognizes them thus as parties of the left or right. There are some rooms and a library that have fine art. The facade is off center and was created by Poyet (1806) for Napoleon who wanted a linear axis through the bridge and Place de la Concorde to the Madelaine. To enhance this, the facade mimics that church with a portico and a pediment which bears sculptures of Cortot (1842). Entry to the debates requires special application (as in most countries). There are sometimes special exhibits. Regular tours are given on Saturdays when the Parliament is not in session 10-1500, starting at 33 Quai d’Orsay. We have only walked or driven by.

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Palais Bourbon is in front of the bridge of the Consent - Pont de la Concorde. Its facade in accuracy repeats a facade of the church of Sacred Maria Madeleine at another beach of Sena. The building was constructed in 1728 for the daughter of Lui XIV duchess Burbon who gave the palace the same name. In 1764 it became the property of prince Konde. He reconstructed the palace and gave it the today's view. Within revolution the palace was confiscated. Now the residence of the National assembly of France is situated in the palace.

The official seat of the French National Assembly is housed in the Palais Bourbon at the southbank of the Seine, just south of the Place and the Pont de la Concorde. The French National Assembly is one of the two houses of the bicameral Parliament of France. The other is the French Senate, housed in the Palais de Luxembourg.

The Palais Bourbon was originally built for Louis XIV's daughter the duchesse de Bourbon. It is designed by the Italian architect Giardini. Its construction started in 1722 and is completed in 1728. At the start it was a principal block with simple wings ending in pavilions. The grand pedimented Roman portico facing the Place de la Concorde is added to the Palais Bourbon in 1806-08 by the architect Poyet. This portico mirrors the similar classicizing portico of the Madeleine, at the northern end of the rue Royale.

The Bourbon Palace (Palais Bourbon) houses the French National Assembly. There you could "meet" the French deputies (when they sit at their benches). The Lassay townhouse (Hôtel de Lassay) -next to the Bourbon Palace (Palais Bourbon)- is reserved to the President of the French National Assembly. You could visit this Greek style building for its beautiful library decorated by Delacroix

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The palace was built in 1728 for the daughter of Louis XIV, Duchess de Bourbon. In 1803-1807, in order of Napoleon, the palace was renovated, especially façade and since then there are no changes in the palace's look. Nowadays the Bourbon Palace is the place for the meeting of National Assembly.