Paris - Palais-Bourbon (Assemblee Nationale)

On the west side of the Palais is the Hôtel de Lassay, built by the Prince de Condé in 1722-24 and now the official residence of the President of the National Assembly. A short distance away, on the Quai d'Orsay, is the French Foreign Ministry (Ministère des Affaires Etrangères).

The imposing colonnaded front added in the Napoleonic period was designed to be a counterpart to the Madeleine on the opposite side of the Seine, which is also in classical style, with columns and a triangular pediment. The monumental figures in front of the 10-column portico of the Palais are of ministers of various French kings: from left to right Sully (Henri IV's minister), Michel de l'Hospital (François I), Henri II d'Agnesseau (Louis XV) and Colbert (Louis XIV). The allegorical figures in the pediment, representing France flanked by Freedom and Order, are by Cortot. To left and right of the steps in front of the building are Minerva, symbolizing Wisdom, and Themis, symbolizing Justice.

The semicircular chamber of the National Assembly, constructed in the time of the Directoire (1796-99) and remodelled by Jules de Joly in 1826, can be seen by prior application even when the Assembly is sitting. The decoration of the Library, with ceiling paintings depicting the history of civilization, was the work of Delacroix (1838-47); it contains more than 350,000 volumes, including the original records of the trial of Joan of Arc.

To the rear of the Palais-Bourbon is Place du Palais-Bourbon, which gives an excellent impression of a an 18th century square in the fashionable Faubourg Saint-Germain. The 18th century facade of the Palais on this side has been preserved. On this side too, is the entrance used by members of the National Assembly.