Located in the heart of Rennes, Ille-et-Vilaine, the Palace of the Parliament of Brittany is a major work of the seventeenth century. Classified as a Historical Monument, it is also one of the main tourist sites of the city which unfortunately almost disappeared during a great fire in 1994. Today beautifully restored, it is open every day to the public.
The Parliament of Brittany, created in 1554, owes its origin to the attachment of the duchy to France in 1532, with the marriage of Anne with Charles VIII and Louis XII. The construction of the palace began in 1615 and ended in 1655 on the orders of Salomon de Brosse, also architect of the Palais du Luxembourg in Paris. A royal place will be added a century later by the architecture of the king, Jacques Gabriel, and will come to wrap the statue of the Sun King then installed in front of the Palace. It has served as the seat of the Court of Appeal since the late nineteenth century.
The entrance is elegantly surmounted by a balcony flanked by geminate columns and an attic sundial with geminated pilasters. The roof, with its lead ridge gallery, presents alternating French and Breton emblems to symbolize the union of the two territories. Four golden statues of nearly two meters are also present, representing the Law, the Force, the Eloquence, and the Justice.
Once past the beautiful interior courtyard, we discover with pleasure the rooms of the Palace of the Parliament of Brittany, including the Grand'Chamber with its painted canvases adorning the ceiling boxes and made by Charles Errard, artist at the origin of the decorations of the first Versailles. Difficult to miss the Salle des pas-perdus, the Grand'Chambre Council Chamber, the Salle des Investigations, the Assize Court Room, or the Félix-Armand Jobbé Hall. Duval formerly served as Chancery and Presentations. During the visit, it is possible to admire several objects classified as Historical Monuments, such as swords of justice, clocks or a Christ on the cross.
