Bourbon Castle

Delacroix.

Bourbon Building is the product of at least four famous architects: Giardini started to build it in 1722, Lassurance continued this work and Aubert and Gabriel completed it in 1728.

The original building was for the daughter of King Louis XIV, the Duchess of Bourbon, and she gave her name. In 1764, it belonged to the ownership of Prince Condé, he expanded to the present scale, a magnificent building, a prominent pedestal on the Square with the same name.

Between 1803 and 1807 Napoleon invited Poyet to build a facade toward the Madeleine church, facing it for a while and at the end of Royale. On the gate roof of the façade there is a wall of alchemist sculpted by Cortot in 1842. On the wings of the facade there are also reliefs in that way, they are the works of Rude and Pradier. Inside, this building is very rich in art works. Between 1838 and 1845 Delacroix decorated a "History of Civilization" for this castle's library. Also in the room are many busters about Diderot and Voltaire carved by Houdon.