Journées du Patrimoine 2026 : step inside the Conseil d'État at the Palais-Royal

On the occasion of the European Heritage Days, September 19 and 20, 2026, the Conseil d'État will, exceptionally, open the doors to its headquarters housed in the Palais-Royal in Paris. A rare opportunity to discover this historic institution, its architectural heritage, and the workings behind France's highest administrative court. Reservations open on September 1, 2026.

Every September, the European Heritage Days invite the public to discover sites that aren’t usually open to visitors or are rarely accessible. On 19 and 20 September 2026, this major cultural event returns nationwide with thousands of exceptional openings, including several of the Republic’s institutions. In Paris, the Conseil d’État welcomes visitors to the Palais-Royal as part of a guided tour shared with the Conseil constitutionnel centered on the theme of the rule of law. It’s a relatively uncommon visit that brings you face-to-face with one of France’s oldest institutions and lets you step inside a monument rich with centuries of history. Ticket office openings are scheduled for September 1, 2026; you can also attend without a reservation, but only if there are seats left on the two visiting days.

The Conseil d'État was established in 1799 under Napoleon Bonaparte. Since 1875, it has sat in the Palais-Royal, the former residence of Cardinal Richelieu, then of the royal family, before becoming one of the great hubs of French administrative power. Its mission is twofold: to advise the Government on draft laws and decrees, and to dispense administrative justice as the highest court in this branch. The Journées du Patrimoine offer the chance to wander through the historic salons and work rooms, the balcony, the gardens, and several spaces normally closed to the public, while uncovering the key milestones in the Palais-Royal’s history and in this institution that has accompanied the State for more than two centuries.

Visiting the Conseil d'État is stepping into a place where heritage, architecture and republican institutions converge. Behind its discreet façades lie remarkable interiors, richly decorated rooms, and spaces where decisions shaping public life are made every day. Visitors also uncover the notable figures who left their mark on the Palais-Royal, from Richelieu to Napoleon, not to mention the anecdotes that thread through the history of this emblematic monument in the 1st arrondissement. Rarely open to the public outside these days, this tour offers a fresh perspective on a site thousands of Parisians pass by without ever stepping inside.

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