La Conciergerie

La Conciergerie

La Conciergerie is located west of the Paris City Hall, near Notre-Dame Cathedral, and is part of the large Palais de Justice complex. It served as one of Paris’s former royal palaces and prisons. During the French Revolution, many prisoners were sent from here to be executed by guillotine across Paris.

La Conciergerie became Paris’s first prison in 1391 and preserves three medieval towers. The Caesar Tower is named after the ancient Roman emperor, while the Silver Tower was once used as a royal jewelry store. During the most bloody period of the French Revolution, known as the Reign of Terror, the prison gained an international reputation as the “ante-chamber to the guillotine.” Nearly 3,000 people were held in its dungeons during the Revolution. After the Bourbon Restoration in the 19th century, it continued to function as a prison for high-profile detainees, the most notable of whom was the future Napoleon III. The cell that once held Marie Antoinette was converted into a chapel dedicated to her. The Conciergerie and the Palais de Justice were rebuilt in the mid-19th century. Although the building appears to be a medieval fortress, it was largely completed in 1858.

La Conciergerie was decommissioned in 1914 and opened to the public as a national historic monument. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction, but only a small section is accessible to visitors, as most of the site remains in use by the Paris courts.

Conciergerie

Must-visit reason: Paris’s oldest prison

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: France[France]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Île-de-France Region [Ile-de-France Region]

City where the attraction is located: Paris [Paris]