An antique French Palais Royale sedan chair.
Palais Royal refers to the palace in Paris that was built for Cardinal Richelieu in 1629. It was originally known as Palais Cardinal, but on the death of Richelieu it passed into the ownership of the French royal family.
The Palace was occupied by Anne of Austria and her children after the death of Louis XIII, and from then was known as the Palais Royal. It had a variety of uses over the years, but in the 18th century was finally rebuilt as a place of recreation. It housed a circus, wax works, cafes and brothels as well as shops, salons and museums.