Ancien Palais de Justice

The old Palais de Justice (the new one is located in the Part Dieu district) was built on the banks of the Saone by L.P. Baltard between 1835 and 1845, at a time when classical antiquity was in vogue for art and architecture. The facade that overlooks the Saone river is neo-classical and resembles a Greco-Roman temple with 24 fluted columns and Corinthian capitals, Attic entablature and a monumental staircase. The effect is striking. The palace is organised around "la salle des pas perdus" where the accused, lawyers and private parties would wait their turn to appear before the judge. This extraordinary room covered by three cupolas illustrates themes close to the heart of justice. Take a close look at two frescoes by G.Bonnet one of which is called "la Justice punissant le crime (Justices metes out punishment for a crime)".

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• Attraction Type: Historical Buildings
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