Heritage Days 2023: the Ministry of Justice opens its doors to you

Like many places of power in Paris, the Ministry of Justice is open to the public during the Journées du Patrimoine, on Saturday and Sunday, September 16 and 17, 2023. Head for Place Vendôme to discover the workplace of the Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, currently Éric Dupond-Moretti. TheHôtel de Bourvallais (which houses the Ministry) is almost invisible to tourists: it has to be said that the main focus is on the Colonne Vendôme and theHôtel du Ritz.

Yet it's here that chancellors and later gardes des Sceaux have lived and worked for the past 250 years. The building is full of secrets. Hardened eyes will find the symbols of justice hidden everywhere. There are six of them: the scales, echoing the weighing of deeds; the sword, the weapon of decision; the shield, the passive weapon of strength and victory; the scepter, an extension of the arm and a sign of power and authority; the hand, the instrument of mastery; and the serpent, symbolizing prudence.

• To be read
• Journées du Patrimoine 2023: visit major institutions in Paris and the Ile-de-France region
• Journées du Patrimoine 2023 in Paris libraries and archives
• Heritage Days 2023 at museums and art foundations in Paris and the Île-de-France region

Here, we travel back in time through the various salons of the private mansion and into the Royal Library, the office of the Keeper of the Seals and Minister of Justice! Another magnificent decorative element is a Gobelins tapestry after Raphael, adorning the main staircase.

Program for Heritage Days 2023 at the Ministry of Justice :

Aucun événement annoncé à ce jour, le programme est mis à jour en fonction des annonces officielles.