The Palais Presidentiel in Vientiane

Listed as one of the landmarks in Vientiane, the Palais Presidentiel is an imposing structure along Lane Xang street.  The Palais, built in 1973, is a huge, beautiful French building.
Monarchy in Laos has been banished in the early 70s, and therefore, no monarchy lives in the palais. It is now used for formal government ceremonies.



View from Lane Xang Street



I  wish it was possible to go inside or roam its garden, just like the beautiful palaces in Germany or in the United Kingdom.However, it is closed to the public.  When I passed by the palais, coming from the patouxai, there were government officials coming out of the palais ( complete with steady siren blasts to announce their presence and to clear the street so they can pass, unhampered, of course).  

 

 

 

 The palais is a stone's throw away from the Chao Anouvong monument and park, which is the best place to view and take photos of the palais, as the park is not as busy as the Lane Xang Street. .