Palais Cambon / The Court of Accounts

During the French Revolution, the country suffered from widespread corruption inclusive of the successive revolutionary governments: the “Convention” and the “Directory”. When Napoleon rose to power, he created the Court of Accounts in 1807 as an audit institution ensuring public funds were well spent, among other missions.

The current building dates back to 1898. This is where the former convent adjacent to Notre-Dame de l’Assomption church used to be (see yesterday’s post). The original Court of Accounts building is long gone, it was located on the other side of the Seine, exactly where the Orsay Museum is now located.