Each visit will last about 1 hour cut as follows:
1/ Open to the public a remarkable architectural monument in Nantes (20 minutes)
Jean NOUVEL points out that the building is designed with a view to respecting the history, the landscape, the construction of the site as it was at the time of its construction, and its symbolism.
The structure and its entirely metal casing evoke the industrial past of the former Île de la Prairie au Duc.
The architect also wanted to turn the palace towards the city and assert his vocation as a pioneer in the urban development of the current island of Nantes. Indeed, the symmetrical composition of the façade affirms the stability of the institution and makes it the reference element of the future landscape. In addition, the palace is equipped with an inclined forecourt, in continuity with the platform where the pedestrian bridge VICTOR-SCHOELCHER designed by architects Bernard and Clotilde BARTO to directly serve the building by materializing the reconquest of the island and the extension of the city.
From a symbolic point of view, Jean Nouvel’s architectural project consisted in reinterpreting the heritage in a contemporary way around the notions of justness, equity, balance and dignity. The access is made by the forecourt in ascending slope to better recall the traditional steps of the courts while the monumental awning is supported by a portico that recalls the colonnade of the classical courthouses. The choice of red and black bichrome reinforces the compactness and strength of the building, supposedly virtue of justice, and uses transparency by large glass walls, another necessity of justice.
An exhibition on the work of Jean Nouvel will be presented in the Salle des Pas Perdus. This will be the opportunity to discover the stages of the process of creation and construction of the courthouse.
2/ Increase awareness of the judicial institution, its functioning and its actors (40 minutes)
This second part of the visit will be divided into workshops around two axes.
2-1) Justice in France, between institution and tradition
Regularly criticized, judicial rituals are much more than dusty traditions. Coming from a distant past, they have two main functions:

• to sanctify the judicial institution by giving it solemnity and also to testify to the importance of the concrete situations that are played out for the litigants
• to enable the population to identify itself as belonging to the same society which meets common rules and which makes the law an irreplaceable pillar of freedom;
  The symbols of justice (the scales, the sword, the headband), the solemn hearings, the swearing in, the judicial costume will be evoked on this occasion.
  Justice is also an institution. It is one of the great sovereign missions such as security or diplomacy. Justice ensures respect for the laws and guarantees the rights of everyone. It is rendered on behalf of the French people. In France, it is administered by the Ministry of Justice, also known as the Chancellery, which is headed by the Minister of Justice.
  2-2) Law and justice, a multitude of professions
  Over time, the judicial community has been enriched by new professions. Today, it brings together a wide range of professions composed, on the one hand, of professionals working in very diverse professions within the same jurisdiction (magistrates, chief clerks, clerks, Category C agents, assistants to the judiciary and agents of justice) and, on the other hand, auxiliaries of justice, partners indispensable to the proper functioning of the judicial institution (lawyers, lawyers at the Council of State and at the Court of Cassation, judicial officers, notaries, judicial experts, mediators and conciliators).
  Health rules:
  Under the evolution of health regulations, social distancing rules will have to be respected throughout the visit. Hydroalcoholic gel will be available to all visitors as soon as they enter the site.
  Finally, the wearing of the mask will be mandatory from the entrance into the palace until the exit at the end of the visit.