Piazza and Palazzo Farnese

One of the most important palaces of the High Renaissance, once home to Pope Paul III and currently the French Embassy.

TravelCurious Tip

Walk around the side streets near the Palazzo and Campo de' Fiori and see how many times you can spot the Farnese name - it's everywhere!

Pope Paul's Palazzo

Just behind the bustling Campo de' Fiori is the Piazza Farnese, where you will find the enormous Palazzo of the same name. Farnese was the name of the family of Pope Paul III, who was born Alessandro Farnese before becoming a cardinal under the Borgia Papacy (and who did very well for himself indeed).

The Palazzo was built for the family in 1517 during the High Renaissance, and is considered one of the most important palaces of the era to be found in all of Italy. Alessandro ordered elaborate expansion and redesign to the palace he when became Pope in 1534. He commissioned the venerable Michelangelo, who restyled the third floor and the courtyard. The interior is full of stunning frescoed rooms depicting classical scenes, such as the Hercules room and the famous Gallery with 'The Loves of the Gods' by Annibale Carracci, an extremely important Renaissance fresco.

House of learning

Pope Paul III was a lover of classical art and myth, and stocked the palace with his vast collection of Greco-Roman sculptures. It also houses a large scholarly library. The design of the building has been copied around the world, notably by the National Building Museum of Washington DC and the Royal Palace in Stockholm. 
In 1936 it was leased to the French government for €1 a year for a period of 99 years, and today it serves as their embassy in Italy. If you visit the courtyard today you will see the magnificent façade by Michelangelo as well as two large granite fountains, which are actually basins taken from the ancient Roman Baths of Caracalla.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Rome
Piazza Navona
A lovely square on the former site of the Stadium of Domitian, boasting wonderful Baroque fountains.
Campo De' Fiori
Host to a daily fruit and vegetable market, this square is a great place to soak up the atmosphere of Rome.
Trastevere
A busy, charming and characterful district across the Tiber which has kept hold of its authenitic Roman feel.
Church of St. Louis of the French
San Luigi dei Francesi is a Catholic Church near Piazza Navona, Rome
Piazza Santa Maria
A happening square in the heart of Trastevere where you can relax, people watch and enjoy the festivities in the evenings.
Largo di Torre Argentina
The site of Pompey - where Julius Caesar was assassinated by the Senate - is now equally known locally as a shelter for stray cats, who are often as photographed as the ruins themselves.

Related Tours

Pantheon, Trevi Fountain & Spanish Steps: Private Half-Day Tour

Enjoy a private walking tour in the Heart of Rome, where your private guide will introduce you to the city’s Ancient Roman history and baroque architecture while showing you the Eternal City's major landmarks.

On your private walking tour, you will: 

  • Explore the most popular highlights in Rome's city centre in just 3 hours;
  • Discover Piazza del Popolo and the main entrance to the city during Ancient Rome times;
  • Climb the 135 steps of the magnificent Spanish Steps (if you wish) that lead to the beautiful Trinita Dei Monti Church;
  • Make a wish at the stunning Trevi Fountain and learn about the various myths behind the coins in the fountain; 
  • Pass by the over 2000 years old Pantheon – one of the best-preserved Ancient Roman buildings in existence;
  • Take a stroll through Piazza Navona built on an ancient old stadium in the 1st century AD;
  • Visit Campo de' Fiori, one of Rome's most famous squares famous for its open-air market;
  • Explore Piazza Farnese, home to Palazzo Farnese, a 16th-century Roman building; 
  • Walk across Ponte Sisto, a bridge that connects Rome's city centre with Trastevere.


Sure, you have heard the phrase ‘Rome was not built in a day, but to truly understand that, one must walk the city with an expert to show you the layers of ancient civilization and ruins piled into the now-modern city. Often called the “Eternal City”, Rome is undoubtedly one of the most historically and culturally rich cities in the world. In the heart of Rome, you’ll come across the Pantheon and the Piazza Navona – two landmarks that date back to the Roman Empire; in addition, you’ll have the opportunity to see amazing architecture like the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps from the Rococo (late-Baroque) period.

This three-hour walking tour is designed to give you the perfect overview of the city, as it includes some of the most beautiful attractions in the historic centre. This tour of the heart of Rome– more than any other, mixes the ancient with the late Baroque in a way that only Rome could. It is a great introduction to the magic in Rome. 

Please note: During the Jubilee Year, Rome is expected to experience increased visitor numbers and heightened security measures. While we strive to provide a seamless experience, some attractions may face last-minute closures without prior notice, longer-than-usual wait times, or time restrictions on visits inside certain attractions due to crowd control policies.

In such cases, your guide will expertly adapt the itinerary to ensure the best possible experience, using their local knowledge to navigate any challenges. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to make your visit to Rome unforgettable despite these unique circumstances.
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