Palazzo Farnese

Begun in the early 16th century and later completed with contributions from Michelangelo, the palace now serves as the French Embassy, which means visits are limited and must be arranged in advance through guided tours. Its highlight is the Farnese Gallery ceiling, frescoed by Annibale Carracci with mythological scenes that art historians rank alongside the Sistine Chapel as a high point of the era's ceiling painting.

Roman mosaics uncovered in the foundations add an earlier historical layer beneath the Renaissance building. Because access is restricted and guided, visits feel more exclusive and personal than most Rome sightseeing, appealing especially to those with a genuine interest in Renaissance and Baroque art.