Ancien Palais du Parlement (Old Parliament Palace), Grenoble
The Old Parliament Palace is a major landmark of Grenoble鈥檚 architectural and judicial heritage. Built between the late 15th and early 16th centuries, it served as the highest court in the Dauphin茅 region for over 500 years. Initially laid out in a right-angled plan, it gradually expanded to include the Parliament of Dauphin茅, the Chamber of Accounts, and a prison. Closely integrated into the city鈥檚 fabric, the building featured public passageways and surrounding shops, and remained in legal use until 2002.
Beyond its judicial function, the palace played a key role in regional governance. With around 70 magistrates, it registered royal edicts and could oppose them through cahiers de remontrances. This power became increasingly assertive in the 18th century, leading to the parliament鈥檚 closure by Louis XVI in 1788鈥攁 move that sparked the famous Day of the Tiles, a key prelude to the French Revolution.
The structure evolved architecturally over centuries. The oldest sections, built under Louis XII, feature Flamboyant Gothic design in Echaillon stone. In the 16th century, a Renaissance-style wing in blue-grey stone was added. Major 19th-century restorations by Riondel and Daumet reconstructed large parts of the central wing, carefully replicating historical details such as the solemn audience hall and the 鈥渂lue room.鈥� Inside, visitors can see Gothic and Renaissance vaulted passageways and the richly carved wood paneling created by Paul Jude in the early 16th century.
Declared a Historic Monument in 1992, the Old Parliament Palace remains a remarkable cultural landmark in Grenoble. Its historical resonance is further enriched by its connection to Stendhal, who drew inspiration from a trial held here for his novel The Red and the Black.
Beyond its judicial function, the palace played a key role in regional governance. With around 70 magistrates, it registered royal edicts and could oppose them through cahiers de remontrances. This power became increasingly assertive in the 18th century, leading to the parliament鈥檚 closure by Louis XVI in 1788鈥攁 move that sparked the famous Day of the Tiles, a key prelude to the French Revolution.
The structure evolved architecturally over centuries. The oldest sections, built under Louis XII, feature Flamboyant Gothic design in Echaillon stone. In the 16th century, a Renaissance-style wing in blue-grey stone was added. Major 19th-century restorations by Riondel and Daumet reconstructed large parts of the central wing, carefully replicating historical details such as the solemn audience hall and the 鈥渂lue room.鈥� Inside, visitors can see Gothic and Renaissance vaulted passageways and the richly carved wood paneling created by Paul Jude in the early 16th century.
Declared a Historic Monument in 1992, the Old Parliament Palace remains a remarkable cultural landmark in Grenoble. Its historical resonance is further enriched by its connection to Stendhal, who drew inspiration from a trial held here for his novel The Red and the Black.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Grenoble. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 黑料吃瓜网 App
Ancien Palais du Parlement (Old Parliament Palace) on Map
Sight Name: Ancien Palais du Parlement (Old Parliament Palace)
Sight Location: Grenoble, France (See walking tours in Grenoble)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Grenoble, France (See walking tours in Grenoble)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Grenoble, France
Create Your Own Walk in Grenoble
Creating your own self-guided walk in Grenoble is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Grenoble Introduction Walking Tour
Grenoble, nestled at the foot of the French Alps, offers a unique blend of natural beauty, history, and innovation that appeals to a wide range of visitors. The city is surrounded by dramatic mountain landscapes and crisscrossed by rivers, making it a gateway for outdoor adventures like hiking, skiing, and paragliding. At the same time, its compact center is filled with lively squares, pedestrian... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles