Facing the Louvre, the Palais Royal is a compact but enchanting park tucked behind the Council of State and the Comédie Française. Its tranquil gardens, classical façades and modern sculptures provide a welcome contrast to the bustle of central Paris. Strolling here reveals layered histories and secret corners that reward a thoughtful wander.
In the late 18th century, the Palais Royal arcades pioneered an early form of the shopping mall. Under those covered passages, Parisians met to shop, dine in refined restaurants, linger in cafés, attend theatres and enjoy comfortable public life. The arcades themselves are an architectural story: elegant vaults, decorative shopfronts and intimate courtyards that capture the spirit of Parisian urban life.
Not all of the Palais Royal's past was genteel. By the early 19th century, parts of the gardens and surrounding arcades became associated with gambling and prostitution, developing a raucous nightlife that lasted until the middle of the century. That colourful past contrasts sharply with today’s calmer atmosphere.
Modern visitors find a place for boutique shopping, relaxed reading on a bench, people‑watching and discovering discreet sculptures and manicured flowerbeds. Nearby, a beautifully decorated covered gallery continues the tradition of sheltered shopping: an atmospheric sequence of boutiques, antiques and cafés preserved for contemporary exploration.
This self‑guided walking audio tour allows you to explore at your own pace, to pause for photographs, to browse charming shops and to savour both the public spaces and the intimate architectural details of one of Paris’s most delightful corners.
Read moreWear comfortable shoes for walking
Make sure that your smartphone is charged
Why take this self‑guided walking tour?
