The establishment of Brittany's parliament - one of 17 provincial governments - in Rennes in 1561, elevated the city to the rank of regional capital and attracted the aristocracy to it. A supreme court in control of 2 300 Breton jurisdictions, it also played a legislative and political role. It took almost a century to build: from 1618-55 for its structure, and up to 1706 for its decor, which adopted elements of royal and Parisian art. The Grand'Chambre is the highlight of the palace.