19. Palace and Galleries of the Luxembourg.

The Luxembourg Gallery is open daily, except Mondays and the chief
holidays (p. 56), in summer 9-5 o'clock; in winter (Oct. lst-March 31st)
and on Sundays and ordinary holidays 10-4 only. It is some-times closed
about the end or beginning of the year for cleaning and re-arrangement.

Marie de Médicis, widow of Henri IV., having purchased in 1612
the château and grounds of the Duc de Piney-Luxembourg, com-
missioned three years later the architect Salomon de Brosse to build
her a large new palace. This was called the Palais du Luxembourg
(Pl. R, 19; IV), the name of the original owner being retained. In
the employment of rustica pilasters and in the treatment of the
court it bears some resemblance to the Pitti Palace at Florence.
Marie's ancestral home, but at the same time it preserves an un-
mistakably French character, especially in the corner-pavilions with
their lofty roofs. The principal façade, nearly 100 yds. long, which
notwithstanding many restorations still reveals the original design,
looks towards the Rue Vaugirard on the N. side, opposite the Rue
de Tournon. Important alterations were made by Chalgrin in 1804,
by order of Napoleon I., who installed his Senate in this palace. The
façade towards the garden, formerly similar to the principal front,
was restored in 1831-34 by A. de Gisors. who adhered as far as
possible to the style of the original building. After 1815 the palace
was occupied by the Chamber of Peers, then, under Napoleon III.,
by the Senate. Since 1879 it has been the seat of the latter body,
and is known as the Palais du Sénat.

Prior to the Revolution the palace was inhabited by various princes
and princesses. Converted into a prison under the Convention, it harboured
many distinguished victims, including Marshal de Noailles, who was be-
headed, together with his wife, at the age of 79, the Vicomte de Beau-
harnais and his wife Joséphine (afterwards Empress of the French), Hébert,
David. Danton, Camille Desmoulins, and the poet Fabre d'Eglantine. In
1795 it became the Palais Directorial; then, in 1799, the Palais du Consulat,
until Bonaparte made the Tuileries his residence, in 1S00.

The palace, or at least a portion of it, is open daily from 9 a.m. till
dusk except during the sittings of the senate, for which special tickets
must be procured. — Visitors cross the court to the foot of the staircase
in the corner to the left, where one of the custodians is to be found
(gratuity).

On the right and left of the Cour d'Honneur are statues of Montes-
quieu and Pasquier by Foyatier and Nanteuil. — In the Vestibule, on the
right, the Guardian Angel, by Husson.

First Floor. The dome of the Library is adorned with Paintings by
Eugène Delacroix (1847), representing the infernal regions according to Dante
(strong light necessary). — Salle des Séances. The colonnade behind the
president's seat is adorned with statues of Turgot (d. 1781). d'Aguesseau
(d. 1751). l'Hôpital (d. 1573), Colbert (d. 1683), Molé (d. 1855)., Malesherbes
(d. 1794), and Portalis (d. 1855). On each side of the president's seat is
a painting by Blondel: the Peers offering the crown to Philippe le Long, and
the Estates of Tours conferring on Louis XII. the title of 'father of the
people'. At the beginning of the larger semicircle is a statue of Charle-
magne, by Etex, and one of St. Louis, by Dumont. — The Galerie des
Bustes contains busts of former peers and senators. — Bovette (refresh-
ment-room; formerly the Salon de Napoléon Premier). Paintings: Caminade,