The foundation stone for the Bonn Residenzschloss (royal palace)

Joseph Clemens commenced the extension work to the royal place soon after assuming the reign, the foundation stone for the subsequent Baroque development of the city had been laid.

However, in 1701 he surprisingly switched to the French. The city was besieged for its part, Joseph Clemens fled to go into exile at the French household. The exile of the electoral prince was to last thirteen years until 1715.

However, his plans for the extension of Bonn were spurred on during his time at the Paris household due to his contacts with the French court architect Robert de Cotte. Thus the work on the palace was rapidly continued with following his return. The pleasure palace by the name of “Clemensruhe” was built at the location of the old water castle Poppelsdorf, which was to be connected with the royal palace by a moat. Joseph Clemens died in 1723 without witnessing the realisation of the buildings he had planned. However, he laid the foundation stones for a peaceful and magnificent century for Bonn by means of his projects, and this was to achieve its most splendid realisation under his successor Clemens August.