When you visit Bordeaux, France, you cannot miss the Palais Rohan, a grand 18th-century landmark that serves as the city’s Hôtel de Ville, or City Hall. Originally commissioned in 1771 by Archbishop Ferdinand Maximilien Mériadec de Rohan to replace a medieval residence, this monument historique was completed in 1778 in the neoclassical style. Built from ashlar stone, the hôtel particulier layout features a grand portal, an arcaded screen, a grand courtyard, and two ornate façades flanked by Ionic order pilasters.
Inside, you can see principal reception rooms adorned with delicate motifs by sculptor Barthélemy Cabirol, along with an impressive staircase celebrated for its stereotomy. Throughout its storied history, the palace hosted Napoleon as an imperial palace in 1808 and Louis XVIII as a royal residence in 1815 before converting to municipal use in 1835. Following a devastating fire in 1862, architect Charles Burguet designed two rear wings in the late 1870s to accommodate the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux, and a new council chamber was added in 1889.
From surviving World War II history to a 1996 bombing and recent 2023 protest damage, this magnificent seat of local government offers you a deep look into French architectural beauty and local resilience.
What to see at Palais Rohan, Bordeaux
- Neoclassical ashlar stone architecture designed by Joseph Étienne and Richard-François Bonfin.
- Principal reception rooms decorated with motifs by sculptor Barthélemy Cabirol.
- Grand central staircase recognized as a significant historic example of stereotomy.
- Late 1870s rear wings constructed for the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux.
- Official Third Republic council chamber completed in 1889 after the 1862 fire.
Visiting tips
Take time to examine the building's exterior arcaded screen and grand portal, which remain standing despite historical fires and a 1996 bombing.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
Palais Rohan, Bordeaux is easy to reach on Bordeaux’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Basilica of St. Michael, Bordeaux and Synagogue. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Bordeaux travel guide.
See the full Bordeaux travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.