Cardinal de Rohan and the Affair of the Necklace
In 11 days
From 20 November 2026 to 15 March 2027, the Galerie Heitz at the Palais Rohan devotes an exhibition to Cardinal de Rohan and the Affair of the Queen's Necklace, the scandal of 1785. Co-produced by Strasbourg's Musée des Arts décoratifs and the Archives nationales, it draws on trial documents, pamphlets and portraits. A vivid look back at a crisis that foreshadowed the end of the Ancien Régime.
A scandal that shook the monarchy
In 1785, under Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, the Affair of the Queen's Necklace broke and made headlines. Cardinal de Rohan, prince-bishop of Strasbourg, stood at its centre. The exhibition follows the thread of the scandal and its repercussions up to the Revolution, setting it in context: the kingdom's debt, the rise of public opinion and the protest that came to a head in 1789. The organisers present it as the first exhibition devoted to the affair. It is curated by François Bouquet, Sabine Meuleau and Louis-Napoléon Panel.
Trial archives, pamphlets and songs
The exhibition draws on the archives of the investigation and the trial, on pamphlets and songs of the time, and on objects and portraits linked to the protagonists. It is co-produced by Strasbourg's Musée des Arts décoratifs and the Musée des Archives nationales, with the exceptional participation of the Bibliothèque nationale de France. After Strasbourg, it moves to Paris from 7 April to 12 July 2027: seeing it at the Palais Rohan means seeing it first.
In the cardinal's own palace
The exhibition is held at the Palais Rohan, the residence of the prince-bishops on the banks of the Ill, right next to the cathedral. Alongside it, a trail devoted to the cardinal's life and collections runs through the palace's state apartments until 21 June 2027. Entry to the Galerie Heitz costs €5 (€3 reduced) and is included in the Musée des Arts décoratifs ticket. Closed on Tuesdays. The gallery is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Practical information
Address: 2 place du Château, 67000 Strasbourg
Frequently asked questions
Where can I see the exhibition on the Necklace Affair?
At the Galerie Heitz in the Palais Rohan, 2 place du Château, Strasbourg.
What are the dates?
From 20 November 2026 to 15 March 2027, with a companion trail until 21 June 2027.
How much does it cost?
€5, or €3 reduced; entry is included in the Musée des Arts décoratifs ticket.
What else is nearby?
The cathedral, across Place du Château, and the exhibition on the 800 years of the Fondation de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame at the neighbouring museum.
Wikimedia Commons — Franck FU from Phnom Penh, Cambodia
