The Hôtel de Salm has housed the seat of the Legion of Honor since 1804, when it was acquired by the Count de Lacépède, the first Grand Chancellor of the Order.

History 

1787

Built by architect Pierre Rousseau for the German Prince Frederick III, Prince of Salm-Kyrburg, the Hôtel de Salm is found in the heart of Paris, facing the Tuileries Garden. Its early history was tumultuous. 

1794

Upon the death of Prince of Salm at the guillotine, the hôtel particulier (private mansion) was removed from the list of national assets, under pressure from creditors. There followed a long list of successive tenants and as many solutions to try and secure the financial stability of the monument. 

1804

The Hôtel de Salm finally found a purpose that was fit for its elegance. It was acquired for the Legion of Honor by order of Napoleon Bonaparte. The building was then renamed Palais de la Légion d’Honneur (Palace of the Legion of Honor). 

1871

Devastated by a gigantic fire in the last days of the Paris Commune at the same time as the Tuileries Palace, as were the Cour des Comptes and the Hôtel de Ville, the palace rose from the ashes thanks to a public subscription launched among all recipients of the Legion of Honor and Military Medal. 

1871-1878

The Grand Chancellor, General Vinoy, entrusted architect Anastase Mortier with the mission of reconstructing the palace. The elegant façades had withstood the fire and were kept. The interior decoration was redesigned with the glory of the Legion of Honor in mind. 

1925

The National Museum of the Legion of Honor and the Orders of Chivalry was founded in the wing of the former stables of the palace, entirely reworked for their new purpose. 

1935

First restoration campaign launched by General Nollet. 

1962

Restoration of the cour d’honneur (court of honor).

1985

The palace was listed as a historical monument. 

2011-2024

The palace achieves several major restoration campaigns of the staterooms, facades and gardens

Architecture 

The Palace of the Legion of Honor offers visitors two facets: on one side, a refined rotunda façade with terraces opening onto the Seine across from the Tuileries Garden; on the other, a monumental triumphal arch in the classical style, and a double colonnade looking out onto the rue de Lille.

Visit the Palace of the Legion of Honor 

The Palace of the Legion of Honor is open to the public during the European Heritage Days (3rd week-end of September).