In 1784, the Duc de Chartres retrofitted and opened the Palais-Royal in Paris, France. The facility was a pleasure garden with commercial spaces and apartments, and an assortment of leisure and entertainment activities. Palais-Royal dominated the Parisian leisure-time scene for the next 50 years.
When the gardens and surrounding structures opened to the public in 1784 the facility had 145 boutiques, cafés, salons, hair salons, bookshops, museums, and many refreshment kiosks. It was popular with all levels of French society and known as a place of conversation and debate as well more adult activities.
