Elysee Palace, Paris; A magnificent 300-year-old attraction

Today, in a virtual trip, we are going to travel together to a spectacular attraction that has seen many historical ups and downs; A magnificent place called the Elysee Palace, which is included in the list of places to visit in France.

From the very beginning, the classical architecture of the palace attracts your attention, and when you enter it, its golden reliefs, decorations and dreamy arrangement dazzle your eyes.

So, in this article from Alibaba Tourism Magazine, join us to introduce you to the history and different parts of the Elysee Palace in Paris.

Features of the Elysée Palace

The magnificent Elysée Palace occupies an area of ​​11,000 square meters in the heart of Paris. Completed in 1722, it was built for the nobleman and military officer Louis Henri de la Tour d’Auvergne, who was appointed governor of Ile-de-France in 1719.

Photo from: Wikipedia site

It is interesting to know that the Elysee Palace has 12 underground rooms that are used in times of need. Of course, the other floors of the palace consist of large halls, offices and rooms whose beauty dazzles your eyes.

Photo from: Google maps site

This beautiful palace is built in classical French style and has two wings, one of which faces the hall of honor. Apart from the hall of honor, the rest of the doors open to gardens covered with green trees, among which ponds with large fountains stand out.

Photo from: Radiofrance website

The history of the Elysee Palace is fascinating in its own way. In the following, we will introduce you to the historical ups and downs of the Elysee Palace.

Where is the Elysee Palace?

The Elysee Palace in Paris is the official residence of the President of France and is located in the Saint Honoré neighborhood. Also, the meetings of the Council of Ministers are held in this place.

Elysee Palace location on Google Map

Photo from: Radiofrance website

Access to the Elysee Palace

As we said before, the Elysee Palace is located in the Saint Honoré neighborhood and near the Champs Elysees. This route is well-known, there are important buildings in it, and there is a lot of traffic in it; Therefore, it is easy to access.

Photo from: Radiofrance website

If you plan to join the tourist tour, don’t worry; Because they know the ins and outs of work. If you want to go to the palace on your own, you can use public transportation and taxis for the Louvre Museum, which are located a short distance from the Elysee Palace in Paris.

Photo from: Google maps site

If you use the subway, you can take one of the following lines:

• Franklin D
• Roosevelt
• La Boétie
• Champs Elysees
• bassano
• Charles de Gaulle Athol
• Balzac

Distance from Elysee Palace to Eiffel Tower

The Elysee Palace is located at a distance of 3.5 km from the Eiffel Tower.

Photo from: Google maps site

Distance from the Elysee Palace to the Louvre Museum

The Elysee Palace is located 2.4 km from the Louvre Museum.

The best time to visit the Elysee Palace

The best time to visit is different for each tourist according to the criteria he has in mind, but in general, the Elysee Gardens are very spectacular in spring and autumn.

Photo from: Google maps site

In spring, when many tourists are in Paris, the garden is filled with greenery and freshness. Walking in the garden and sitting next to the large stone ponds is an indescribable pleasure. The weather is also cool and pleasant in this season.

Photo from: Actu site

The autumn season brings its beautiful colors wherever it is in the world. The weather of the Elysée Palace is mild in autumn and the trees in the garden are covered with beautiful yellow and orange leaves. Of course, rain is also normal in this season.

Photo from: Wikipedia site

The Elysee Palace in Paris is also full of green colors and freshness in the summer season; However, in this season, due to the closure of schools, the number of tourists is high. So if you don’t mind crowds, this season is not a good time to visit this palace.

Photo from: Google maps site

Winter in Paris is a cold season and may be covered with snow everywhere. For this reason, the number of tourists is less at this time and you can visit the palace more easily, if you can tolerate the cold.

History of the Elysee Palace

The Elysee Palace was designed in 1718 and took 4 years to build. This palace was built by order of the Count of Douro. After the death of Duror, the mistress of Louis XV chose this palace as her residence.

Photo from: Elysee website

It is interesting to know that the Elysee Palace in Paris even survived the French Revolution; Because it was used as an entertainment hall in the early 18th century.

Photo from: Radiofrance website

After the French Revolution, this palace was the residence of Napoleon Bonaparte until 1851, when the French coup d’état took place, and then it was given to Empress Eugenie. Eugenie along with Bonaparte added many decorations to the palace which are still remembered.

Photo from: Google maps site

In the following years, this palace became the residence of the President of France. Of course, after that, the residence of the French president changed many times and was uninhabited from 1940 to 1946 until it became the residence of the president again during the Valéry Giscard period.

Photo from: Google maps site

The reason for naming the Elysee Palace

This palace is named Elysée for two reasons: the first is its proximity to Champs-Elysées and the second reason goes back to a place called Elysée, which is the place of the blessed dead in ancient Greece.

Map and architecture of the Elysee Palace

As we said, the Elysee Palace in Paris is built in the classic French style. As you enter the palace, your attention is drawn to the striking golden carvings that cover the entire walls of the palace and look spectacular alongside the red velvet curtains, expensive chandeliers, precious furnishings and elegant furnishings.

Photo from: Wikipedia site

The Elysee Palace has a large garden; A garden that is the size of 4 football fields and has doubled the grandeur of the palace.

Photo from: Elysee website

In the following, we will introduce you to the different parts of the Elysee Palace in Paris.

Different parts of the Elysee Palace

Entering the Elysee Palace is like walking in the space of the 19th century; From the paintings on the wall to the expensive sofas and decorations and the library that was originally the living and bedroom of important people.

Photo from: Google maps site

– Elysee Palace Garden

The Elysee Garden is one of the most spectacular parts of this palace. These beautiful English gardens are similar to the gardens we read about in Victorian books.

Photo from: Google maps site

It might be interesting for you to know that there are plane trees in this garden that date back to before the French Revolution; Trees that make the garden look magnificent and lively.

Photo from: Google maps site

Every year, Bastille Day, or the national holiday of France, is also held in this garden.

– Art museums

Inside the Elysee Palace in Paris, there are art museums that display the works of great painters and sculptors from around the world. Tourists especially welcome these museums; Because they can get acquainted with the style and point of view of world artists.

Photo from: Wikipedia site

If you are a museum-goer, visit the Elysee Palace art museums. Undoubtedly, you will miss the hidden stories in the paintings in these museums.

– Rooms

As we mentioned, the Elysee Palace has 12 rooms with different uses in the basement, which are used in emergency situations.

Photo from: Google maps site

The residence of the French president is in the eastern part of the palace. The main hall of the Elysee Palace is used for holding parties and official meetings.

Photo from: Wikipedia site

Among the other rooms of the Elysee Palace is the Silver Room, which is located in the eastern wing of the palace and is known as the Silver Room because of the presence of walls with silver edges. This room has witnessed 3 important historical events: June 22, 1815, when Napoleon signed his abdication, December 2, 1851, when Napoleon’s coup d’état began, and 1899, when President Felix Faure and his mistress, Marguerite Steinhill, met

Photo from: Google maps site

The other rooms are the Pauline dining room, which was the private room of President Georges Pompidou and his wife Claude, and the portrait room, which is dedicated to the portraits of important Napoleonic rulers.

Photo from: Wikipedia site

All rooms, except for the hall of honor, open to the garden and have a wonderful view.

– Hall of honor

Another part of this palace is the hall of honor. When you enter from the main entrance of the palace, the first thing you see is the hall of honor. The French president meets world leaders and officials in this place.

Photo from: Google maps site

– Library

The library of the Elysee Palace in Paris has also seen stories in its heart. From the beginning, this place was not used as a library and was used as a bedroom; The bedroom where important people such as Napoleon I, Duke of Berry, Caroline Mora, Duchess of Beaubon and Napoleon III have stayed.

Photo from: Google maps site

The walls of the library are curved and double the beauty of the library space. These walls have remained intact since the time of Napoleon III.

Photo from: Wikipedia site

Places of interest near the Elysee Palace

In this section, we are going to introduce you to the attractions near the Elysee Palace, so that after visiting the palace, you can easily go to the nearby attractions and make a good memory of your day.

– Champs-Elysées Street

Whether you are a foreign traveler or not, you must have heard the name of Champs-Elysées Street. This long street, which is 1910 meters long, is one of the most beautiful streets in France. Around the street is full of magnificent and stunning buildings.

Photo from: Google maps site

Also, there are attractive historical buildings such as the famous Victory Arch, Charles de Gaulle Square, Grand Palace, Discovery Palace, etc., near this street.

• The distance between Elysee Palace and Champs Elysee Street is 2.6 km.

Photo from: Transilien site

– Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower, the most famous attraction in Paris, is a unique structure consisting of three floors. This tower, which is made entirely of steel, dazzles the eyes at night with its beautiful lighting.

Photo from: Wikipedia site

The Eiffel Tower is known as the architectural and cultural masterpiece of Paris and is a symbol of the ability of French engineers.

• The distance between the Elysee Palace and the Eiffel Tower is 3.3 km.

– Trocadero Square

The legendary Trocadéro Square is one of the most bustling places in Paris. This square, which is located on a hill on the east bank of the Seine, offers a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower. Many people and tourists go to this square to take pictures with its dreamy background. There is also an aquarium, beautiful fountains and a pleasant green garden in Trocadero Square.

Photo from: Wikipedia site

Tips for visiting the Elysee Palace

• To make your visit to the Elysée Palace enjoyable, travel to Paris during your free time. Of course, keep in mind that the quiet time in Paris is the cold seasons.
• To go to the Elysee Palace, you can use both public transportation and taxis for the Louvre Museum.
• Try to join a tourist tour during your visit that will show you all parts of the palace and tell you its history.
• Before going to the palace, check its opening hours.