VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
The residence of the French President is located not far from the Champs Elysees on one of the most fashionable streets in the capital. The building was constructed for the Comte d'Evreux by architect Armand-Claude Mollet between 1718 and 1722. The Palace became state property during the French Revolution. The popular entertainments, dances, festivals, etc. were carried out there.
At the time of Napoleon I the palace was at first given to Marshal Murat, and later became the emperor's retreat. The Russian Emperor Alexander I stayed there when Paris was occupied by allied forces in 1814. Napoleon signed his second and last abdication in the Silver Room of the Elysee Palace on June 22, 1815.
The palace continually changed hands after the restoration of the Bourbons. The last of those was the nephew of Napoleon I, Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte.
The Palace has been the residence of the President of the French Republic since 1873.
The Palace was built according to the classical model of city residences of the French aristocracy. There is the so-called ceremonial courtyard for entrance of coaches at the front, and the garden (the English garden) with rare, often exotic plants is located in the back. Access for visitors is usually closed there. The central building, constructed in classical style, has three floors. The palace is mostly furnished in the imperial style, but in some rooms there is more ancient furniture. Working premises are situated on the first floor, including the offices of the President of the Republic, the Secretary General of the Elysee Palace, the director of the cabinet and special advisor of the President, sessions of the Cabinet Council and others. The officers of advisors, consultants and reference staff (about 40 persons) are situated in two side wings. Administrative and technical services and security are provided by a special unit of the National Guard.
Besides the central entrance on Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honore there is the ceremonial "cockerel gate", leading from the garden to the Champs Elysees. That gate is opened on the President's inauguration once in every seven years.
As a rule, the President of the French Republic lives in the palace together with his family. Jacques Chirac was no exception.
Unlike many of his predecessors, François Mitterrand lived not in the Elysee Palace, but in his own house in Bievre Street, not far from the Notre-Dame Cathedral.
