Thursday, June 13, 2013

Philatelic Photograph: Palais Bourbon - Paris, France

Interesting Places I've Photographed
Palais Bourbon
Paris, France
Topic: Philatelic Photographs

GPS: N48° 51.742; E002° 19.130

Quick Description: 

The Palais Bourbon is located on the left bank of the Seine across from the Place de la Concorde in Paris, France

Long Description:

The Palais Bourbon was built between 1722 and 1728 to a design by the Italian architect Lorenzo Giardini and approved by Jules Hardouin-Mansart. Giardini oversaw construction until his death in 1724. Then Jacques Gabriel assumed control with the assistance of L'Assurance and other designers. The Palais was built for the daughter of Louis XIV and Françoise-Athénaïs, Marquise de Montespan - Louise-Françoise de Bourbon, Duchesse de Bourbon.

During the French Revolution the Palais Bourbon was nationalized, and the Council of the Five Hundred met in the palace from 1798. Fontanes, following wishes of Napoleon to create a grander Paris, commissioned the pedimented Roman portico, designed by architect Bernard Poyet, to be added to the front of the Palais facing the Place de la Concorde. The Roman portico was completed in 1808.

The Bourbon Restoration followed the reign of Napoleon. Prince de Condé returned from exile and took possession of the Palais. He a large portion of the Palais to the Chamber of Deputies. In 1827, The Palais was bought outright from his heir for 5,250,000 francs. The Chamber of Deputies was then able to further modify the Palais to better suit their work. Delacroix did some of the interior decorating and the pediment was re-sculpted by French artist Jean-Pierre Cortot.

Today the Palais Bourbon is the seat of the French National Assembly, the lower legislative chamber of the French government.

The stamp was issued on August 28, 1971 to commemorate the 59th Conference of the Interparliamentary Union.

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