Palais Rohan, Strasbourg

Palais Rohan, Strasbourg

Built in 1732-'42 and1742 as the residence of the prince-bishops and cardinals of the House of Rohan, the Palais Rohan de Strasbourg is a cultural landmark that now houses 3 museums - the Museum of Decorative Arts, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Archaeological Museum.

Built in 1732-'42 and1742 as the residence of the prince-bishops and cardinals of the House of Rohan, the Palais Rohan de Strasbourg is a cultural landmark that now houses 3 museums - the Museum of Decorative Arts, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Archaeological Museum. Built to plans by Robert de Cotte, it is considered a masterpiece of French Baroque architecture.The palace has hosted French monarchs such as Louis XV, Marie Antoinette, Napoleon and Joséphine, and Charles X.

The façade on Place du Château is concave and centers around a monumental gate that resembles a triumphal arch. It is surmounted by allegorical statues representing 'Religion' and 'Mercy', while the roof balustrade features other statues of 'Eucharist' and 'Penance'. It leads into the main courtyard around which the different wings of the Episcopal Palace are laid out.

The main façade facing Ill River has 17 vertical sections, with a triangular pediment at the center supported by 4 columns. The rooms of the prince-bishops and cardinals of the House of Rohan are divided into –

• Grand Appartement which is river-facing, and has the Salle des évêques (Bishops' Hall), Cabinet du roi (Cabinet of the King) also known as the Salon d'assemblée (Assembly Room), and the Garde-robe du roi (Cloakroom of the King).
• Petit Appartement which faces otherwise, and has the Antichambre du prince-évêque, the Chambre du prince-évêque, the Cabinet du prince-évêque, and the Garde-robe du prince-évêque.

The side wings have the Synod Hall with the dining hall and the guards' hall separated by a row of arches, and the library, which has 4 tapestries illustrating the life of Constantine, depicting 'The Marriage of Constantine', 'The Apparition of Chrism', 'Saint Helena and the True Cross', and 'The Baptism of Constantine'.

Explore the grandly furnished interiors, and discover the fine collections on display at the museums. The Archaeological Museum traces the history of the Alsace region since the very first Paleolithic settlements through Argentoratum during the Roman era to the Merovingian period. The Museum of Decorative Arts is divided into two parts - late Baroque, Rococo and Empire style rooms form one half, and works of Alsatian craftsmanship are exhibited in the other part. It displays Gobelins tapestries, chinoiserie, wood carvings, murals, stucco décor, porcelain works, vermeil work, silverware, and original parts of the Strasbourg astronomical clock. The Museum of Fine Arts has a collection of European art from the 13th century to 1871, with a focus on Italian, Dutch and Flemish works.

Admission to individual museums is €6.50 for adults, and €3.50 for students and senior citizens over 60 years.