EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS

WELCOME TO THE

HERITAGE AND CITIZENSHIP

17TH-18TH SEPTEMBER 2016 9.30 am - 6.00 pm

JOURNEESDUPATRIMOINE.FR #JEP2016

MORE INFORMATION ON PALAIS DU LUXEMBOURG www.senat.fr/evenement/patrimoine/2016 15 et 15 ter rue de Vaugirard Contact: [email protected] 75006 Phone: +33 (0)1 42 34 45 45 02 I WELCOME TO THE SENATE

ocusing on the theme of “Heritage and Citizenship”, these 33rd European Heritage Days will offer an opportunity to discover Fthe emblematic places and monuments where the concept of citizenship was built and continues to be. As President of the Senate, I am particularly pleased to announce that this year’s events will thus honour the Senate and the Parliament at large.

Visitors from France and from the whole world, including future citizens, will have access to those symbols of heritage and democracy that are the and the Petit Luxembourg. For GÉRARD LARCHER, the second year in a row, digital innovation will be at the heart of PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE the proposed tour. Past, present and future will merge during these two highly popular days.

On behalf of all my senator colleagues, I invite you to discover the estate chosen by Marie de Medicis in the early 17th century for her royal residence. The layout of the Luxembourg Palace, now home of the Senate, was modifi ed several times to adapt to the evolution of French institutions and suit the needs of a modern parliamentary assembly, all the while respecting the exceptional architectural details which make up the splendour of this emblem of our heritage. This tour will take you through the history of France and its legislative process.

Here, 348 men and women senators represent every territory of the French Republic as well as the French population living abroad. Elected for a period of six years, senators are responsible for designing and voting the laws of the Republic, controlling the government’s actions and assessing public policies. The Senate ensures the stability of French institutions and refl ects on important topics and issues at stake in society. The Senate’s latest news and activities can be followed on its website and on social media.

Please also take this opportunity to visit the Luxembourg Garden, managed by the Senate, and discover the exhibition devoted to its orange trees, fruit orchards and fl oral ornaments held in the orangery. If you happen to walk all the way to the Observatory, make sure you visit the greenhouses which will exceptionally be open to the public on that occasion.

From 17th September 2016 to 15th January 2017, the railings of the Luxembourg Garden will showcase a photographic exhibition entitled “Le Patrimoine, une passion, des hommes” (“Heritage, a history of passion and men”) for the 20 years of the Fondation du Patrimoine, an organisation largely created thanks to the Senate’s involvement. These photos of art and craft and territories will illustrate the efforts deployed in terms of economic development and conservation of France’s unprotected heritage.

Do not hesitate to ask as many questions as you wish to the men and women who will welcome you on these European Heritage Days. They will satisfy your curiosity about the Palace’s history and the inner workings of this parliamentary assembly.

I wish you an excellent tour of the Senate and pleasant Heritage Days. EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS 17TH-18TH SEPTEMBER 2016 I 03

THE PETIT LUXEMBOURG (RESIDENCE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE)

Built toward the middle of the 16th century, his wife Josephine after the coup and this this mansion was purchased in 1570 by is where the Constitution of the Year VIII was François de Luxembourg, Duke of Piney and drafted. The Conservative Senate subsequently Peer of France, before it was sold in 1612 to held its meetings there from 1800 to 1804 Queen Marie de Medicis, who had her Palace before moving into the Luxembourg Palace. In built nearby. Both buildings were named af- 1825, the Petit Luxembourg was given to King ter the Duke François de Luxembourg. Since Charles X and used to accommodate the Pre- then, the former mansion has been called sident of the Chamber of Peers, a lower house the Petit Luxembourg to avoid any confusion of Parliament, set up in 1814. It has kept its with the larger Palace. It was given in 1627 to parliamentary function up to this day, except the Cardinal de Richelieu, who bequeathed it for three historical periods: in 1848, when it to his niece in 1639. served as the residence of the Vice-President After it was inherited by the Condé family in of the Republic and accommodated the Tri- 1674, the Petit Luxembourg was enlarged and bunal des Confl its (“Court of Confl icts”); from redecorated by between 1871 to 1879, when it was lived in by the pre- 1709 and 1713. Louis XVI’s brother, the Count of fect of the Seine after the fi re of the Hôtel de Provence, who would later become King Louis Ville (town hall); and from 1940 to 1944, when XVIII, set up house there for a time. During the it was occupied by the Luftwaffe command Directoire, it was occupied by four Directeurs staff for Western Europe. After the War, the among whom Sieyès, who hosted the group Petit Luxembourg went back to being the resi- who planned the coup of the 9th November 1799 dence of the President of the upper house, of (known as “18th Brumaire Year 8” in the French the Council of the Republic from 1946 to 1958 Revolutionary Calendar). and of the Senate under the Fifth Republic from Napoleon Bonaparte settled down there with 1958 onward. 04 I WELCOME TO THE SENATE 0 10 20 m G I H COURTYARD PRESIDENT’S Rue de Vaugirard Elevator A PLAN OF THE GROUND FLOOR B C D Entrance, Entrance, To the To 15 ter rue de Vaugirard E Start of the visit Petit Luxembourg Petit PLAN OF THE FIRST FLOOR F JUNCTION COURTYARD To floor st PETIT LUXEMBOURG (RESIDENCE OF THE PRESIDENT SENATE) PETIT LUXEMBOURG 1 EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS 17TH-18TH SEPTEMBER 2016 I 05 0 10 20 m I H COURTYARD PRESIDENT’S Rue de Vaugirard Elevator A PLAN OF THE GROUND FLOOR Route for people with reduced mobility with reduced people for Route C B D Entrance, Entrance, To the To 15 ter rue de Vaugirard Start of the visit Petit Luxembourg Petit E PLAN OF THE FIRST FLOOR JUNCTION COURTYARD F To floor st PETIT LUXEMBOURG (RESIDENCE OF THE PRESIDENT SENATE) PETIT LUXEMBOURG 1 06 I WELCOME TO THE SENATE

RIGHT WING (EAST)

THIS MANSION, PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY DUKE FRANÇOIS DE LUXEMBOURG. WAS REFURBISHED BY BOFFRAND (1667-1754). NOWADAYS, IT IS USED FOR OFFICIAL RECEPTIONS.

ROOM A STAIRWAY BY BOFFRAND A monumental stairway with a stone balustrade, the pattern of which is echoed in the mirror-covered archways above.

ROOM B USHERS’ LOUNGE The decor, restored in the 19th century, contains tapestries from Beauvais with cartoons by Saint-Ange (1814-1818) symbolising the Arts, Sciences, Trade and the Navy.

ROOM C TAPESTRIES’ LOUNGE The name of this room stems from the various tapestries that used to hang on its walls, including a tapestry of the Triomphes des Dieux (“Triumphs of the Gods”) of which one copy remains. Three paintings by Jean-François Hue (1751-1823) represent the harbours of Lorient and Brest.

ROOM D GRAND SALON Decor by Boffrand restored in the 19th century. The lower part of the vaulted ceiling is surrounded by a cornice ornamented with a frieze of arabesques. Above the doors, representations of the Four Seasons painted by Louis de Boullogne (1654-1733). 19th century furniture and chandeliers.

ROOM E PURPLE LOUNGE Former bedroom of the Bourbon-Condé and of the Countess of Provence.

ROOM F NAPOLEON LOUNGE Decor by Boffrand revived under the Second Empire. Portrait of Napoleon wearing his coronation cos- tume. Against the wall, a letter written by Napoleon to the senators is reproduced on a marble table. EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS 17TH-18TH SEPTEMBER 2016 I 07

LEFT WING (WEST)

BUILT AND DESIGNED BY BOFFRAND IN PLACE OF 16TH CENTURY OUTBUILDINGS, IT NOW HOUSES THE PRESIDENT’S OFFICES.

ROOM G QUEEN’S CHAPEL In 1625, Marie de Medicis set up the congre- gation of the “Daughters of the Calvary” next to the Luxembourg Palace. Some of these buildings were destroyed in 1844. From 1845 to 1854, architect Alphonse de Gisors recreated a baroque style chapel in one of the aisles of the former church.

ROOM H OFFICE OF MR GÉRARD LARCHER, PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE This is probably where Napoleon Bonaparte, then First Consul, had his study between 10th November 1799 and 19th February 1800.

• The decor dates back from the beginning of the 19th century.“Empire” style furniture. • Paintings: Un prédicateur dans les ruines (“A preacher in the ruins”) (1743) by Giovanni Paolo Pannini (1691-1765). Le Champignon (“The Mushroom”, nickname formerly given to the Luxembourg Garden’s guardroom) (1902) by Albert Marquet (1875-1947).

ROOM I OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE CABINET Naval battle of Augusta by Ambroise-Louis Garneray (1834). Contemporary paintings from the Fonds national d’art contemporain (National contemporary art fund). 08 I WELCOME TO THE SENATE

THE LUXEMBOURG PALACE

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LUXEMBOURG PALACE BEGAN IN 1615 AT THE BEHEST OF MARIE DE MEDICIS AND WAS COMPLETED AROUND 1630. MARIE DE MEDICIS TOOK UP RESIDENCE IN THE WEST WING OF THE PALACE AS OF 1625. SHE STAYED THERE UNTIL SHE HAD TO LEAVE FRANCE IN 1631, FORCED TO EXILE BY HER SON LOUIS XIII AFTER THE EVENTS KNOWN AS THE “DAY OF THE DUPES”.

The Palace remained a princely estate lived ate Chamber) and Library. In 1852, he made in successively by Louis XIII’s brother, Gas- the most of this enlargement by building the ton of Orleans (1642), then by his widow and main gallery, then known as the Salle du Trône his daughters among whom the Duchess of (“Room of the Throne”) and currently referred Montpensier known as the Grande Mademoi- to as the Salle des Conférences (Conference selle and the Duchess of Guise (1660), who Hall). The Palace was then allocated to the offered it to Louis XIV in 1694. Senate of the Second Empire, after hosting In 1715, the Regent Philippe of Orleans in- the short-lived Commission du gouvernement herited it before giving it up to his daughters, pour les travailleurs (“Workers’ governmental the Duchess of Berry and Louise Elisabeth of committee”) of the Second Republic, in 1848. Orleans, former Queen of Spain. In 1778, Louis XVI gave the Palace to his brother the Count of Following the demise of the Second Empire, Provence, who would later become King Louis the Palace housed the Seine Préfecture and the XVIII. He fled the Revolution. The Luxembourg meetings of the town council, after the Paris Palace became a prison before being assigned town hall had been set on fire during the Com- to the Directoire in 1795 and to the Conservative mune. In 1879, all seats of public offices were Senate at the end of 1799. It then underwent transferred from Versailles to Paris and the profound architectural changes under the di- Luxembourg Palace was allocated to the Sen- rection of Jean-François-Thérèse Chalgrin ate of the Third Republic until 1940, when it was (1739-1811) to better suit its new parliamentary then occupied by the Luftwaffe command staff function. for Western Europe.

In 1814, under the Restauration, the Luxem- In 1944, it became the seat of the provisional bourg Palace was allocated to the Chamber of Consultative Assembly. The Higher Court of Peers. During the July Monarchy, the increas- Justice held its meetings there in 1945 as well ing number of Peers of France led architect as the 1946 Peace Conference. Alphonse de Gisors (1796-1866) to push the Palace’s South-facing wall 30 meters forward The Palace was allocated to the Council of the into the Garden to allow for the construc- Republic at the end of 1946 before becoming tion of the current Salle des Séances (Sen- home to the Senate of the Fifth Republic in 1958. EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS 17TH-18TH SEPTEMBER 2016 I 09 16 15 16 0 10 20 m 15 Coming from Coming from Luxembourg the Petit To the To Luxembourg Petit 0 10 20 m 1 Coming from Coming from Luxembourg the Petit To the To Luxembourg Petit To floor st 1 1 To floor st 1 14 17 COURT COURT Entrance, Entrance, OF HONOUR 15 ter rue de Vaugirard 14 17 COURT COURT Entrance, Entrance, OF HONOUR 15 ter rue de Vaugirard 10 13 11 12 10 13 PLAN OF THE GROUND FLOOR 11 12 End of the visit To the To To the Garden To End of the visit rue de Vaugirard and the greenhouses To the To To the Garden To rue de Vaugirard LUXEMBOURG PALACE LUXEMBOURG and the greenhouses 5 4 2 1 3 5 4 2 1 3 FLOOR ST 7 6 8 7 6 8 PLAN OF 1 To the To floor Ground 9 9b To the To floor Ground 9 9b 10 I WELCOME TO THE SENATE l'hôtel de arrivée de la Présidence Coming from Coming from Entrée du the Petit Luxembourg the Petit Entrance, Car access Accès voitures 15 rue de Vaugirard 15bis, rue de Vaugirard étage er Vers le Vers 1 To floor st 1 lève-personne device (hoist) device Ascenseur Personal lifting Personal Elevator 14 17 14 17 COUR Entrée du D’HONNEUR COURT Entrance, Entrance, OF HONOUR 15, rue de Vaugirard 15 rue de Vaugirard 10 13 PLAN OF THE GROUND FLOOR 10 12 11 13 12 11 la visite du Palais Fin de Fin End of the visit vers et les serres vers le Jardin vers To the To To the Garden To la rue de Vaugirard rue de Vaugirard and the greenhouses LUXEMBOURG PALACE LUXEMBOURG Route for people with reduced mobility with reduced people for Route 5 4 2 5 4 2 1 3 1 3 sanitaires Toilets Elevator Ascenseur FLOOR ST 7 6 8 7 6 8 PLAN OF 1 9 9b 9 9b 0 10 20 m 0 10 20 m EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS 17TH-18TH SEPTEMBER 2016 I 11

ROOM 1 MAIN STAIRCASE It was built by Chalgrin (between 1800 and 1803) at the expense of the gallery of Rubens whose 24 paintings on the life of Marie de Medicis are now exhibited at the . The vaulted ceiling is ornamented with roses and coffers. Above the doors, various Victories are represented on stone bas-reliefs, while the side walls are decorated with ten ver- dure tapestries.

ROOM 2 QUEEN’S BEDROOM This was Marie de Medicis’s ceremonial bedroom and may have been the room where the first act of the “Day of the Dupes” unfolded. PLAN OF THE GROUND FLOOR

THE “DAY OF THE DUPES”

This is the room where one of the most crucial days of French history, the “Day of the Dupes”, may well have taken place. On 10th or 11th November 1630, two influential characters confronted each other under the arbitration of the young King Louis XIII: on the one hand, his mother the Queen, Regent until 1615, who wished to maintain peaceful relations with catholic powers; on the other hand, the who encouraged the King to support France’s protestant adversaries regardless of family ties by waging a war against his father-in-law the King of Spain and his brother-in-law the Duke of Savoie.

Marie de Medicis summoned the King, asking him to dismiss Richelieu. However, the latter, informed by his agents, wormed his way into the Palace through a hidden door and managed to enter the room. The Queen reacted vividly but the Cardinal threw himself at her feet, assuring her of his loyalty. Louis XIII asked the Cardinal to leave and wait for his orders. FLOOR ST Marie had openly triumphed. Convinced he had lost, the Cardinal burnt his documents and had his most precious belongings sent over to The Havre. Meanwhile, Louis XIII went back to Versailles where he called in Richelieu and declared: “Sir, you have my entire trust. I am

PLAN OF 1 more obliged to my State than to my mother.” The Queen’s partisans only realized what had just happened on the following day. They were moved away from power. Some of them, such as Louis de Marillac, were even executed. As to the Queen Marie, she was forced to exile. 12 I WELCOME TO THE SENATE

ROOM 3 MESSENGERS OF STATE LOUNGE A former antechamber at the time of Marie de Medicis, this room was turned by Chalgrin into a lounge for the Empire’s Messengers of State, who acted as intermediaries between the authorities, carrying bills and official documents.

ROOM 4 “DEPARTURE CABINET” The former “Gilded Cabinet” or “Cabinet of Medicis weddings”, this is now the room the chairman of parliamentary sessions departs from in order to go to the Salle des Séances (Senate Chamber).

ROOM 5 QUESTEUR’S OFFICE This room, decorated by Alphonse de Gisors at the same period as the Library, used to be a study. It is now used for the weekly meetings of the Conseil de Questure, which comprises of three Questeurs elected by their colleagues to manage the Senate’s administrative mat- ters and run its budget.

ROOM 6 LIBRARY Completed by Alphonse de Gisors, with ceilings by Louis Antoine Riesener (1808-1878) and Camille Roqueplan (1802-1855). The dome features a painting by Delacroix (from 1841 to 1846) of the Limbo described in the Fourth Canto of Dante’s Inferno, representing the Great Men of ancient times. Still in the dome, four hexagonal medallions by the same artist evoke Theology (St Jerome), Philosophy (Aristotle’s Muse), Poetry (Orpheus) and Eloquence (Cicero). Between the dome and the window, on the ceiling’s coving, Delacroix painted Alexander after the Battle of Arbeles, asking for Homer’s poems to be deposited in Darius’ golden chest. A piece of furniture was specifically designed by cabinetmaker Charles Morel to store Napoleon Bonaparte’s account of his Egyptian Campaign. EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS 17TH-18TH SEPTEMBER 2016 I 13

ROOM 7 SENATE CHAMBER

Made up of two facing semicircles, it was built from 1836 to 1841 following the plans of Alphonse de Gisors. The smaller semicircle’s semi-dome < is supported by eight stucco columns separated by seven statues of prestigious legislators. The paintings on the left and right sides of the smaller semicircle’s vault, by Merry-Joseph Blondel (1781-1853), depict the crowning of Philippe le Long and Louis XII at the États de Tours in 1506. The alcoves contain statues of Charlemagne by Antoine Etex (1808-1888) and of Saint-Louis by Augustin Dumont (1801-1884).

The busts of four Marshals of the Empire (Masséna, Lannes, Mortier and Gouvion-Saint-Cyr) are located between the benches.

The vaulted ceiling in front of the benches is painted with allegories of Prudence (Caution), Truth and Protection by Théophile Vauchelet dating back to the middle of the 19th century. The room also features beautiful sculpted oak panelling by J.B. Klagmann, J.-J. Elshoëcht and H. de Triqueti. There are 348 seats, allocated in proportion to the number of members in every political group. Each senator has his or her own designated seat according to their party.

Fifteen desks display commemorative medallions of former senators Victor Hugo, Victor Schoelcher, Pierre Waldeck-Rousseau, Marcellin Berthelot, Émile Combes, Georges Clemenceau, Raymond Poincaré, René Coty, Gaston Monnerville, François Mitterrand, Michel Debré, Alain Poher, Edgar Faure, Maurice Schumann and Gaston Doumergue.

GALLERY OF BUSTS Built over the original terrace overlooking the Garden, this long corridor is named after the busts of statesmen it is lined with. 14 I WELCOME TO THE SENATE

ROOM 8 CONFERENCE HALL 57-meters long, 10.60-meters wide and 11-meters high (15 meters under the dome), this room designed by Alphonse de Gisors, completed in 1854, was created by assembling three separate rooms from the original building. Its decoration is a very fine example of Second Empire style. Opposite the fireplace is the throne Napoleon I sat on when attending the sessions of the Conservative Senate. At each end of the room, on the ceiling’s covings, one can admire depictions of the History of France from its origins until Charlemagne (at the west end) as well as a fresco by Henri Lehmann (1814-1882) of the period running from the first Crusade to Louis XIV (at the east end). The ceiling features L’Âge de la Paix (“The Age of Peace”) and L’Âge de la Victoire (“The Age of Victory”) by Adolphe Brune. Eight tapestries from the Gobelins illustrating Ovid’s Metamor- phoses complete the decor.

ROOM 9 VICTOR HUGO LOUNGE This room owes its name to the bust sculpted by Antonin Mercié in 1889 of illustrious writer and Parliamentarian Victor Hugo, who was a Peer of France from 1845 to 1848 and a senator during the Third Republic from 1876 until his death on 22nd May 1885. EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS 17TH-18TH SEPTEMBER 2016 I 15

ROOM 9B LIBRARY ANNEX The Great Gallery, now referred to as the Library Annex, was completed in 1630. Stretching along the whole length of the east wing of the building, it was originally designed to display 24 paintings of Rubens (1577-1640) in honour of Henri IV, but that project never came to fruition. This is where the first European painting museum open to the public was set up from 1750 to 1780. During the French Revolution, that part of the Palace was turned into a “national safety house”. Another museum for contemporary art was established there from 1803 to 1815 and from 1818 to 1886. In 1886, the Luxembourg Museum took up its new quarters, managed by the Senate, in the rue de Vaugirard, opposite rue Férou. The former gallery became the Library Annex in 1887. Prison cells were fitted there during the trials of Paul Déroulède and other members of the League of Patriots, judged in 1899 by the Senate turned High Court of Justice.

The vaulted ceiling, massively restored in 2010, features a series of paintings by Jacob Jordaens (1593-1678) representing the Twelve Signs of the Zodiac.

This room also contains a bronze bust by American sculptor Jo Davidson (1883-1952) of Literature Nobel Prize winner Anatole France, who worked in the Library for a time.

ROOM 10 OFFICE OF A VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE Former reading room of the Peers of France.

ROOM 11 ROOM OF THE GOLDEN BOOK Decorated in 1817 by architect Baraguey with painted wooden panels taken from the apartments of Queen Marie de Medicis at the Luxembourg Palace and wood panelling taken from the royal apartments of Queen Anne of Austria, at the Louvre. 16 I WELCOME TO THE SENATE

ROOM 12 AND 13 ROOM 16 OFFICES OF VICE-PRESIDENTS CLEMENCEAU ROOM OF THE SENATE

These offices are shown to the public for their patrimonial relevance. They are not, however, the current senators’ offices, which are for the most part located on 26 and 36 rue de Vaugirard and are much more functional and smaller in size.

ROOM 14 GALLERY OF QUESTEURS A large 262-seat multipurpose meeting Designed by Alphonse de Gisors, it opens onto room created in 1984 for hearings and the garden, on the south side of the building. meetings of committees, political groups and seminars.

ROOM 15 CLEMENCEAU HALL ROOM 17 Contains a collection of busts of “Marianne” RENÉ COTY ROOM acquired by the Senate from 2001 to This room is used at times for official recep- 2006 as well as a gallery on the history tions. of the lower house of Parliament, with artefacts and documents on the history of the Conservative Senate, the Chamber of VESTIBULE Peers, the Senate of the Second Empire, the This space was turned into a vestibule Senate of the Third Republic, the Council by Chalgrin in 1799-1805. A monu- of the Republic and the Senate of the Fifth mental stairway leading onto the first Republic. floor used to stand in its place. The alcoves contain 19th century busts of The hall is ornamented with a large mosaic the “Marianne” collection. fresco by Jean Bazaine (1904-2001).

An exhibition of watercolors by Mrs Noëlle HERRENSCHMIDT illustrating the various aspects of the Senate’s activities can be seen here. EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS 17TH-18TH SEPTEMBER 2016 I 17

THE SENATE

BY VIRTUE OF ARTICLE 24 OF THE CONSTITUTION, THE FRENCH PARLIAMENT IS COMPOSED OF TWO HOUSES: THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND THE SENATE.

THE PLACE OF THE SENATE • 336 senators elected by a departmental IN INSTITUTIONS body made up of deputies, senators, regional councilors, departmental According to that same article, the Senate councilors and representatives of town represents France’s various territories councils; (communes, departments, regions and • 12 senators elected by a special body overseas territories). composed of deputies and senators representing the French living abroad It is composed of 348 senators elected for and of consular councilors and 6 years by indirect universal suffrage: delegates. 18 I WELCOME TO THE SENATE

One must be 24 or over to be a candidate THE LEGISLATIVE FUNCTION: DEVELOPING in this election. PARLIAMENTARY INITIATIVE The Parliament’s two-chamber system The number of senators for each consti- allows for a dual examination of the law, tuency varies according to their popu- since bills of law have to be read and voted lation: from 1 in less populated depart- both by the National Assembly and by the ments and territories such as Ariège or Senate. Territoire de Belfort, to 12 in the Paris Legislative decisions therefore devolve as department. much on the Government as on parliamen- tarians. If a law is initiated by the govern- Senators are designated either on a majo- ment, it is called a government bill. If it is rity basis for constituencies electing only initiated by the Parliament, it is referred one or two senators, or by proportional to as a parliamentary bill. The debate in representation for constituencies elec- public sitting is carried out, as a rule, on ting three or more senators. the basis of the text adopted by the rele- vant committee. The Senate has seven per- Half of the senators are renewed every manent committees (the Economic Affairs three years with senators dispatched in Committee, the Foreign Affairs and Defence two groups. The last renewal of senators Committee, the Social Affairs Committee, occurred on 1st October 2014, following the Committee for Culture, the Commit- the elections of 28th September 2014. tee for Land Use Planning and Sustainable Development, the Finance Committee and The Senate thus ensures the institutions’ the Law Committee) as well as a European continuity. When necessary, its President Affairs Committee. can be called upon to replace the Pre- When a bill is read, senators may improve sident of the Republic. This is why he is it or change its content by voting “amend- sometimes referred to as “the Republic’s ments” within the relevant committee and second most important character”. in plenary sitting (in the 2015-2016 ordinary session, about 3,600 amendments were submitted in committees and 8,800 in ple- THE SENATE’S ROLE: VOTING LAWS nary sitting). AND MONITORING THE GOVERNMENT Each government bill or parliamentary bill is read successively first by the National Senators and deputies exercise the two Assembly then by the Senate1– through a roles of the Parliament as stated in article process called the navette parlementaire 24 of the Constitution: voting laws, on the (“parliamentary shuttle”) – in order for one hand; controlling the actions of the Government assessing public policies 1. Texts relating to the organization of territories are and submitted to the Senate first. Governmental bills on finance on the other hand. and social security funding are submitted to the National Assembly first. Other bills are submitted indifferently to either of the two houses. EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS 17TH-18TH SEPTEMBER 2016 I 19

them to reach a common version which will majority of 3/5ths of the votes cast at the then be promulgated by the President of the Parliament’s Congress in Versailles. Republic. Since 1958, almost 90% of laws passed were approved by both houses. The THE SENATE’S INTRINSIC MONITORING final say or “last word” at the National As- FUNCTION sembly can only be enforced if the govern- As per the Constitution of the Fifth Repu- ment decides to do so, after all attempts blic, one week is dedicated every month at reconciliation (including through a joint to the monitoring of the Government’s ac- committee made up of seven deputies and tions and the assessment of public policies seven senators) have failed. by the Senate.

The 2008 constitutional amendment has Senators may control the Government’s strengthened the Parliament’s legislative actions by organizing debates on various powers. At the 2015-2016 ordinary session, topics relating to current affairs (such as 10 of the 43 laws passed (except for inter- the reception of refugees, the financial national conventions) had been initiated by status of territories or clinical trials) and the Senate. submitting questions (be they questions requiring written answers, oral answers, The Constitution itself can only be amended oral answers with debate or questions on with the agreement of both houses, which current affairs). As per the Constitution, will discuss it until a common text is rea- at least one public sitting is thus devoted ched. The text must then either be sub- every week, including during extraordinary mitted to a referendum or adopted by a sessions, to questions from members of Parliament to the Government.

Senators exercise permanent control over the politics of the Government by ensuring, among other things, that laws are enforced properly.

They have an extremely wide array of inves- tigating, monitoring and assessment tools at their disposal, from publishing informa- tion reports to setting up powerful commit- tees of inquiry: people summoned by these committees have to come and swear under oath to “say the truth, nothing but the truth” lest they be prosecuted. A committee of inquiry was set up in 2015-2016 to investi- gate on unemployment statistics in France 20 I WELCOME TO THE SENATE

and other E.U. countries and on the impact There are five such delegations: the delega- of reforms carried out in these countries to tion for Territories and Decentralisation, the reduce unemployment. delegation for Women’s Rights and Equal Opportunities for Men and Women, the Information reports commissioned by per- delegation for Overseas Departments, the manent committees as well as fact-finding delegation for Planning and since Novem- missions also contribute to the Senate’s ber 2014, the delegation for Businesses. monitoring, assessment and planning acti- vities. In 2015-2016, these delegations have worked among other topics on2: In 2015-2016, these reports and missions • human trafficking and modern slavery, have dealt with topics as varied as agricul- of which women and minors are the pri- tural standards, ties between France and mary victims (delegation for Women’s Russia, drug prices, educational guidance, Rights), security of land transportation in the face • a simplification of the laws on urban of the terrorist threat, the aftermath of the planning and construction (delegation Brexit, the migration crisis in Europe and for Territories and Decentralisation), the introduction of a minimum wage. • water: a declared emergency (delegation for Planning) Faithful to its pluralist tradition, the Se- • the introduction of protective measures nate has strengthened the role of political for land rights overseas (delegation for groups and the means available to them. Overseas Departments), Each group thus has an annual drawing • businesses and the reform of labour law right for the setting up of a committee of (delegation for Businesses). inquiry or of a joint fact-finding mission, as well as dedicated monthly slots for debating on their chosen topics in public sitting.

A REFLECTION AND PLANNING ROLE Beside the activities of its permanent com- mittees, the Senate has several delega- tions which reflect on matters of long-term common interest.

In May 2016, the Parliamentary Office for the Evaluation of Scientific and Technologi- cal Choices (OPECST), whose mission is to inform the Parliament on the consequences of scientific and technological choices, pu- 2. All activities carried out by the Senate can be found on blished a report on robots and the law. the Senate’s website: www.senat.fr. EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS 17TH-18TH SEPTEMBER 2016 I 21

TOUR OF THE LUXEMBOURG GARDEN GREENHOUSES

The Luxembourg Garden is managed and maintained by the Senate. Since its creation by Marie de Medicis in the 17th century, it has featured collections of orangery plants and ancient fruit varieties accessible to the pub- lic all year round.

The greenhouses of the Luxembourg Garden have always enjoyed a worldwide reputation be found at 2,500 meters of altitude. and been recognized for their know-how by the horticultural world. They contain collec- Due to the layout of the premises, access to tions of tropical plants, the most famous of the Senate’s greenhouses is closed to the which is the orchid collection dating back public, except on the European Heritage from the middle of the 19th century and com- Days. posed of more than 13,000 specimens. The nearby in vitro growing and multiplication The Gardening Division is responsible for the laboratory ensures their continuity. Luxembourg School of Horticulture, which has been providing free public classes on the Within this orchid collection, the collection of cultivation of fruit trees and pleasure gardens Paphiopedilums, also called “Venus’ slippers” to about 200 people every year since 1809. or “fairy slippers”, contains three quarters of listed species, all from South-East Asia, as There are regular guided tours of the Garden. well as 450 horticultural hybrids and is rec- ognized as a National Collection by the Con- > Information: http://www.senat.fr/visite/jardin/ servatory of Specialized Vegetal Collections [email protected] (CCVS). Phone: +33 (0)1 42 34 23 62

In 1998, the former greenhouses were de- The greenhouses will open exceptionally on Saturday 17th molished to give way to a new structure and Sunday 18th September from 10 am to 6 pm. where an IT management system reproduc- es the various climates necessary for each Société Centrale d’Apiculture (Central Apiculture Society), of these plants to grow: some of them orig- 41, rue Pernety, 75014 Paris inate from coastal areas while others are to Phone: +33 (0)1 45 42 29 08 22 I WELCOME TO THE SENATE

AUTUMN EXHIBITION EXPOSITION D'AUTOMNE AT THE ORANGERY ORANGERIE DU - PARIS VI

15/28sept. 2016 From Thursday 15th to Wednesday 28th 10H > 18H30 September 2016, an exhibition held at the ENTRÉE LIBRE Garden’s Orangery by the Luxembourg Garden’s conservation team will show how “Heritage and Innovation” go hand in hand, through a presentation of the Garden’s fruit collection, orangery plants and floral Fleurs ornaments. &fruits Through vegetal scenes and interactive au entre patrimoine displays, the public will gain access to et innovation gardeners’ but also scientists’ and producers’ Jardin Linéal - 03 20 41 40 76 Crédit photo : fotolia best kept secrets.

Information sur : www.senat.fr/evenement/expo_automne/2016.html

EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS AT THE SENATE

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Share your most beautiful memories of the European Heritage Days at the Senate using the hash-word #JEPSénat LUXEMBOURG GARDEN TOUR OF THE GREENHOUSES AND Start of the visit OF THE AUTUMN EXHIBITION Start of the tour of the greenhouses Start of the visit 2016 EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS Start of the tour III of the greenhouses I II

ÉCOLE III DES MINES I II

ÉCOLE DES MINES

École des Mines Autumn exhibition

PALAIS DU LUXEMBOURG École des Mines EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS Autumn exhibition 17 TH -18 End of the visit PALAIS DU TH LUXEMBOURG SEPTEMBER2016

End of the visit 0 10 20 m 0 50 100 m PLAN OF THE GREENHOUSES I

0 10 20 m 0 50 100 m 23 PLAN OF THE GREENHOUSES PLAN OF THE GREENHOUSES LUXEMBOURG GARDEN > Attending parliamentary debates at the Senate

Debates usually take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and are open to the public. Those who wish to attend must obtain an invitation from a senator. They will be asked to show their invitation and identity card at the Senate’s reception desk located 15, rue de Vaugirard, Paris. Admis- sion is subject to availability.

Groups (of up to 30 people) must also be sponsored by one of the senators and book one month at the latest before their planned visit by contacting the Direction de l’Accueil et de la Sécurité (Phone: +33 (0)1 42 34 20 60).

> Visiting the Luxembourg Palace

Tours of the Luxembourg Palace take place on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays (except in case of a parliamentary session) for a maximum of 40 people. Groups must obtain sponsorship by one of the senators beforehand. Individual visitors may not join an existing group.

Due to the Vigipirate program’s strict security measures, there will be no more tours for individual visitors on Saturdays until further notice.

> Accessing the online bookshop http://www.librairie.senat.fr © AGENCE LINÉAL - 03 20 41 40 76 © AGENCE

THE SENATE 15 rue de Vaugirard F75291 Paris Cedex 06 www.senat.fr