Palais Rohan
Palais Rohan features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Strasbourg. Give it roughly ~90 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type palace
- Suggested visit ~90 min
- Strasbourg Strasbourg guide
About Palais Rohan
An 18th-century episcopal palace of extraordinary grandeur housing three museums, archaeology, decorative arts, and fine arts, once hosting Louis XV and Marie Antoinette.
The Palais Rohan, built between 1731 and 1742, was the episcopal palace of the Prince-Bishops of Strasbourg from the powerful Rohan family, one of the grandest aristocratic dynasties of 18th-century France. The architect was Robert de Cotte, chief architect to Louis XIV, and the result is one of the finest examples of French Baroque palatial architecture outside Versailles. The building's façade facing the cathedral is a magnificent composition of ashlar stone with giant Corinthian columns and a rusticated basement. The state apartments, the King's Chamber, the Library, the Assembly Room, the great Dining Room, are among the finest Baroque interiors in Alsace. The building was used as lodgings by visiting royalty including Louis XV in 1744 and the young Marie Antoinette on her journey from Vienna to Versailles in 1770. Today it houses three museums: the Musée Archéologique (pre-Roman and Gallo-Roman finds from Alsace), the Musée des Arts Décoratifs (Sèvres porcelain, Strasbourg faïence, royal furniture), and the Musée des Beaux-Arts (European painting from the 14th to 19th centuries).
Did you know? The 15-year-old Marie Antoinette slept at Palais Rohan in 1770 on her way from Vienna to marry the French Dauphin, the last time she ever set foot in the Holy Roman Empire.
How long is a visit to Palais Rohan?
Set aside roughly ~90 min for Palais Rohan. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Palais Rohan worth your time?
Palais Rohan is among the 18 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Strasbourg, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Strasbourg
Hear the story of Palais Rohan
Preview the Strasbourg tour free in the Gingerguide app.