This
monumental building, known as the Palais Bourbon or Bourbon Palace, is home
to the Assemblée Nationale, the French parliament's lower house.
Ironically, the name of this republican symbol refers to the
Royal Bourbon family, who

were ousted by the republicans during the French Revolution.
The Palais Bourbon was built by the Duchess of Bourbon, daughter of King Louis
XIV and Madame de Montespan.
Construction of the main building started in 1722 under the
supervision of the Italian architect Giardini after plans by Giardini and Hardouin
Mansart. After his death in 1924 Giardini was replaced by Jacques Gabriel, who
finished the palace in 1728.
The Palais Bourbon was enlarged in 1765 and in
1768 the adjoining Hôtel de Lassay was annexed to the palace. Like many
other palaces, the

Palais
Bourbon was confiscated during the French Revolution and declared national property.
During the revolution, from 1795 on, the building was used by the Council of
the Five Hundreds (At the time the larger chamber of the French Legislature).
Between 1804 and 1807 the colonnaded front was added on Napoleon's
request, who wanted the building to mirror the
Madeleine
temple at the other side of the Seine river.
Since 1830 the Palais Bourbon is the seat of the Assemblée
Nationale. The building can be visited if you make reservations in advance.