Venue: Strasbourg Orangerie – European Institutions district (access map )
Times : 10am to 6pm Sunday 5 May 2019
On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Council of Europe and the 60th anniversary of the European Court of Human Rights, discover two unique places on our Open Day, Sunday 5 May, from 10 am to 6pm.
This is your chance to find out how we defend the rights and freedoms of 830 million Europeans in 47 countries.
Palais de l’Europe
Enter the Palais de l’Europe, designed by French architect Henri Bernard and inaugurated in 1977 (next to the Orangerie park). Discover the hemicycle where local and national parliamentarians from all over Europe meet, and also visit the Committee of Ministers meeting room.
Have a go at winning a prize in the theme quiz based on the Council of Europe’s art works that you will find along the route of the visit.
Our souvenir shop will be open all day, as well as the Post Office, where collectors will be able to find two new stamps issued for this special occasion.
In the entrance hall you will find posters designed by students at the Haute école des Arts du Rhin (HEAR) who took part in a poster competition to mark the 70th anniversary.
Several films explaining the main achievements of the Organisation will be screened in the hemicycle.
Before entering the Committee of Ministers meeting room, where many leading personalities have given speeches, you will have the opportunity to discover numerous historical objects.
European Court of Human Rights
Le Palais de droits de l’homme is opening its doors to the public for the first time in 10 years!
The European Court of Human Rights has been housed in this building, designed by the British architect Sir Richard Rogers, since 1995. Also known as “the Strasbourg Court” it safeguards the respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals living in the 47 member states of the Council of Europe.
Made of glass, metal and Vosges sandstone, the Palace of Human Rights seems to be moored like a ship on the banks of the River Ill, on a bend of which it is situated.
Since 2015 it has been officially recognised as an example of “remarkable contemporary architecture”.