Palais Bourbon / National Assembly

Bourbon was the royal family line that ruled France for two centuries from 1589 to the French Revolution and briefly after. Is it not ironic that France’s National Assembly seats in a place called the Bourbon Palace?

This palace was originally built for Louise Françoise de Bourbon, daughter of Louis XIV and Madame de Montespan (one of the sun King’s favorite). Though Madame de Montespan was a mistress, the King recognized the children he had with her and gave them his name.

The façade of the Bourbon Palace was greatly modified by Napoleon’s architects. By adding an additional façade to the building with Corinthian columns and pediment, their goal was to mirror the Madeleine church they had built on the opposite side of the river.

Standing right in the middle, on the Place de la Concorde, you will have a perfect view of both National Assembly and Madeleine church and their twin looking façades. Enjoy!