Get a feel for the palace

Visiting the Council of Europe in a group is an opportunity to get real sense of the daily life of an intergovernmental organisation at the Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg, France.

The guided tour of the Palais de l’Europe is designed principally for visitors looking for general information on the Council of Europe and a first introduction to the Organisation and its work.

The tours are conducted in English, French or German.

A typical tour lasts between one hour and one hour and a half and includes:

  • a presentation of the Council of Europe;
  • a screening of a film on the functioning and achievements of the Organisation;
  • a visit to the Council of Europe’s historic Assembly Chamber(*);
  • an exchange of views and replies to visitors’ questions.

 (*) Until Spring 2024, the Hemicycle will not be open to the public due to refurbishing works. The Visitors’ Service will maintain its activity during that time.

During plenary part-sessions of the Parliamentary Assembly, groups of visitors have the opportunity to follow a debate from the visitors’ gallery in the Assembly Chamber. The dates of the four annual part-sessions are posted on the Assembly’s website.

 Terms and conditions


Visits are organised for groups only, with a minimum of 15 people.

Contact the Visitors’ Service of the Council of Europe to book your guided tour (booking by telephone or e-mail).

The Palais de l’Europe is open to visitors from Monday to Friday. It is closed at weekends and on French national holidays.

The visits are fully accessible to people with reduced mobility. Visits are free of charge.

To mark its 73rd anniversary on 5 May 2022, the Council of Europe launched EuropeQuest, a game designed for participants to learn about the Council’s buildings and activities

 More information

 EuropeQuest – the game