A new description of Paris containing a particular account of all the churches, palaces, monasteries ... with all other remarkable matters in that great and famous city / translated out of French.

THE PALAIS.

IF I had obliged my self in this Collection, to speak of the Antiquities of those things which I treat of in Paris, I should have had occasion here to mention many particulars; but after all it had been only a repetition of what many Authors have already said. Those who have the curiosity to be informed in these Affairs, let them consult du Tillet, Giles Corrozet, Father du Breäil, in his Theater of Antiquities at Paris, M. du Chesne in his Antiquities of Towns, and several others who have writ on the French Histo∣ry,

I will only say to the honour of those who compose this great Body, that Pepin Father of Charlemagne did first Institute it; and that it was ambulatory till the Reign of Philip the Fair, who, as Belforest reports, was the first who made it Sedentary, in quitting his own proper Palace to the Officers of Justice. To make it the more spacious, he caused to be built the greatest part of the Chambers, and the whole work was fi∣nisht in the year 1313. Notwithstanding it is certain that there were in this place several great Buildings before that time, in regard several Kings made this place their usual abode. Clovis himself kept his Court here; but St. Lewis dwelt here longer than any, for finding the Situation commodious in the middle of Paris, he made here several great Works, especially the Holy Chapel, of which more by and by.

The chief remarks in this great building is, first, the great Hall, admired by the Cavalier Bernin, as one of the handsomest things in France. It is built upon the same Plan, with another very old which was burnt down in the beginning of this Age, in which the Statues of all our Kings were placed round about the Walls, as big as the Life. In this Hall the Kings did use to receive Embassa∣dors, and made publick Feasts on certain days in the year, and also here they celebrated the Nup∣tials of the Sons and Daughters of France. At the Marriage of Isabel of France with Richard the Second, King of England, there was in this place so great a Croud of People, that many persons were stifled. Charles the Sixth who Reign'd at that time, was himself in danger of his Life.

This Hall is all Vaulted with Freestone, with a row of Arches in the middle, supported with

great Pillars, round which are several Shops employed by divers Tradesmen; the Dorick Or∣der of Pilasters run round the Hall. At one end is a Chapel where Mass is said every day; the Procureurs (or Attorneys) to whom this Chapel belongs, have about a year since laid out 40000. Francs to beautifie it as we now see.

Above this is the Clock, according to which the Hearings or Audiences in the several Courts are regulated. At the bottom of the Dial, you may read this neat Verse made by M. de Montmort, one of the French Academicians.

SACRA THEMIS MORES UT PENDULA DIRIGIT HORAS.

Justice does guide us, as the Ballance this.

The inside round about this Chapel is adorn'd with Gilding, and painted like Marble of vari∣ous Colours, which makes the place very hand∣som.

You must not neglect to see the several Cham∣bers where they plead. The great Chamber is on one side of the great Hall; it was built in the time of St. Lewis, who used here to give his Publick Au∣diences, in which, with the kindness of a Father, and the Majesty of a great King, he endeavoured to pacifie the disorders that rise among his Subjects, or received the Embassadors sent from the Neigh∣bouring Princes. Lewis the XII. repair'd it as it is at present. The Plafon composed of Culs de Lampe (Work in the Ceiling swelling down with knobs) was heret fore esteemed as an excellent piece of Work; but time has decayed a great part of that which made it esteem'd. This is the Room

where all the Parliament assemble when the King comes hither to sit on his Tribunal of Ju∣stice, or at such times when there is any great Affair for them to deliberate upon. In this place also the Dukes and Peers of France come and demand to have their Patents Register'd, which they obtain'd of the King, for the Erection of their Dignities. The other Chambers are much handsomer than this, and in some of them the Pla∣fons (or Ceilings) are gilt and painted very richly. The 2d. and 3d. Chambers of Inquests, and the Chambers of Requests are the best adorn'd.