National Assembly: can you go into the hemicycle for tours? What you need to know

In Paris, the National Assembly and its famous hemicycle are not just for members of parliament. The public can also enter the Palais Bourbon, explore several rooms, and, on certain days, attend a session. Booking, access, and visiting rules: here’s how it works!

Behind the gates of the Palais Bourbon lies one of the most emblematic sites in French political life: the hemicycle of the National Assembly. Many imagine it reserved for deputies only, inaccessible to the public. Yet it is indeed possible to enter under certain conditions. Tours, access to debates, reservations... Here is what you need to know before stepping through the doors of this flagship site of French political life.

The Palais Bourbon, the beating heart of France’s parliamentary life

Set opposite the place de la Concorde, the Palais Bourbon has housed the Assemblée nationale since 1798. It is in its famed hemicycle that the 577 deputies debate, scrutinize bills and proposals, and vote on the texts that shape French political life. While the building is first and foremost a workplace, it also safeguards a remarkable architectural and artistic heritage, including historic salons, the library decorated by Eugène Delacroix, and the Galerie des Fêtes.

Can you tour the National Assembly's hemicycle?

Contrary to common belief, the hemicycle is open to the public. Since 2024, the National Assembly has offered free individual tours, by reservation, year-round in line with the parliamentary calendar. When deputies are not in session, the itinerary includes access to the ceremonial rooms, the library, and the hemicycle. If a public sitting is in progress, the visit is adjusted: visitors are allowed into the galleries to observe the debates, without entering the chamber where the deputies sit.

How can you book a visit?

Guided tours last about an hour and a half and are free, but registration is mandatory. Participants must provide their identity at the time of registration and present a valid ID on the day of the visit. As with any institutional building, security screening is in place at the entrance and certain items are prohibited. Groups may also visit the Palais Bourbon, but only on an invitation from a deputy.

A tour to see the Assembly in a new light

Beyond its political function, the Palais Bourbon opens a window onto a often overlooked facet of Parisian heritage. Blending architecture, historic interiors, and a glimpse into how the institutions operate, the tour offers a fresh perspective on a building many only know from televised sessions. Because access slots follow parliamentary business, it’s wise to check the official schedule before planning your visit.

This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.