English Visitors in the Palais Royal. The occupation of Paris 1814. The Palais Royal began as a small and private theatre in the residence of Cardinal Richelieu. It was designed by the architect, Jacques Lemercier. This theatre became known by the name of the residence, the Palais Cardinal. It was the first theater in France with movable scenery wings and a proscenium arch. Humboldt and the Cosmos by Douglas Botting, page 225.