- History and visit of the Palais de Justice in Paris
- Presentation of the New Palais de Justice in Paris
- Transfer to the Palais de Justice in Paris
History and visit of the Palais de Justice in Paris
The Palais de Justice, an emblematic historical monument, is located in the heart of Paris, on the Île de la Cité, in the first arrondissement. Its construction spans from the 13th to the 19th century, reflecting a long architectural and institutional history. This place, which has played a central role in the history of France, initially served as the residence of the Kings of France from the 10th to the 14th century, before becoming the seat of judicial power.
Over the centuries, the Palace has witnessed numerous devastating fires. The first of these, in 1601, destroyed the Salle des Pas Perdus and other major rooms symbolizing royal power. In 1618, the Grande Salle suffered limited damage from flames, and its restoration was entrusted to architect Salomon de Brosse. Another fire, in 1630, ravaged the spire of the Sainte-Chapelle. The disasters continued, notably in 1737 with the destruction of the Court of Accounts, and a final major fire under Louis XVI, which severely damaged the Palace.
The Cour de Mai, used for the parking of prisoners’ carts, was rebuilt between 1783 and 1786, with a renewed facade. In 1776, a grand main iron gate, adorned with gilding, was made by master locksmith Bigonnet. Despite the turmoil of the French Revolution, the Palace was not destroyed but transformed into the Revolutionary Tribunal in April 1793. After heated debates about its future, it was decided that the Palace would serve as a parliament. Renovation work began under the July Monarchy, initially entrusted to Jean-Nicolas Huyot, then to Joseph-Louis Duc and Honoré Daumet after Huyot’s death.
The Revolution of 1848 marked the Palace, becoming a target of revolutionaries, temporarily interrupting the works which later resumed. The majority of the statues decorating the Palace are the work of Philippe Joseph Henri Lemaire. A fire in 1870 once again damaged the Palace, requiring significant renovation led by Daumet. The work resumed in 1883, constituting one of the most significant restructurings in the building’s history. Today, the traces of bullet impacts on the south facade bear witness to the liberation demonstrations of 1944. The Palais de Justice retains its splendor and houses the highest court of French justice, the Cour de Cassation.
Presentation of the New Palais de Justice in Paris
Facing the dispersion of its services across more than 25 sites, the Parisian jurisdiction required a transformation to meet the modern demands of justice. The unification of its services emerged as a key solution to ensure optimal reception for citizens and to optimize judicial functioning.
The new Palais de Justice, designed with bold architecture, stands proudly in the Parisian sky. Its structure, consisting of three stacked segments with gradually reduced dimensions, rises to a height of 160 meters above the Batignolles district, located in the 17th arrondissement, near the Porte de Clichy and adjacent to the ring road.
The visit begins on a spacious esplanade of 6,000 m², accessible from Avenue de la Porte-de-Clichy. The grand and light-filled entrance hall is directly visible from the outside through an imposing glass facade. Inside, about fifty reception desks facilitate visitor access, thus reducing waiting times. Looking up from the ground floor, one can admire the glass balustrades and the open architecture of the building, which houses a series of bright galleries. The upper levels accommodate 90 courtrooms, almost all lit by natural light, as well as offices and meeting rooms. Magistrates occupy the second floor, while the public prosecutor’s offices are on the third and the presiding judges on the fourth and final floor.
Transfer to the Palais de Justice in Paris
The Palais de Justice in Paris is located 19 km from Orly Airport, 33.1 km from Charles de Gaulle Airport, and 96.6 km from Beauvais Airport. Upon your arrival at Charles de Gaulle or other Parisian airports, you can choose between a collective shuttle transfer to the Palais de Justice or a luxury car.