Disclosed is an organic electroluminescent element having an element structure that can reduce damage to an organic layer during electrode formation and can facilitate the injection of charges from the electrode into the organic layer. The organic electroluminescent element includes an anode, a cathode, and an organic layer held between the anode and the cathode. The organic layer contains a luminescent material. The organic electroluminescent element further includes a transparent protective layer provided between the anode or the cathode and the organic layer. The transparent protective layer contains a bipolar charge transport organic compound and an electron-accepting compound. The transparent protective layer is formed in a period between after the formation of the organic layer and before the formation of the anode or the cathode on the organic layer.