CE28-IIIB: 1977 FDC Inauguration of the Palais de l'Europe by V. Giscard d'Estaing

28.1.1977: official inauguration of the Palais de l'Europe in Strasbourg by the President of the French Republic

In his speech of January 28, 1977, delivered on the occasion of the inauguration of the Palais de l'Europe, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, President of the French Republic, evokes the circumstances of the construction of the new building (designed by the architect Henry Bernard, Grand Prix de Rome) and recalls the vocation of the Palace to be the seat of the Council of Europe and in particular to receive the Assembly of this organization, but also the Parliament of the European Communities during its sessions in Strasbourg .

This inauguration gave rise to the issue of a series of three 'Council of Europe' service stamps, works by the engraver Eugène Lacaque, representing the facade of the building. The fervor of the population and of philatelists for this historic event had caused a veritable crowd when official philatelic souvenirs were put on sale, which were sold out in a few hours.