The Conciergerie

This important vestige of the Capetian Palace is a remarkable testimony of the civil architecture of the 14th century : the Guard room and the kitchens.

The lower part of the Palace was mainly turned into a jail during the 15th century ; you may visit the dungeons (in particular Queen Marie-Antoinette’s) and also discover memories of the French Revolution. The medieval aspect of the Conciergerie with the only remaining visible ancient capetian palace have been recently restored and opened to the public since January 11th 2000.

The Conciergerie, historic building

The Conciergerie is a historic building located in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, on the banks of the Seine River. Originally built as a fortress in the 10th century, the Conciergerie went on to serve as a royal palace, a prison, and a revolutionary tribunal. Today, the Conciergerie is a national museum open to the public, showcasing the history of this fascinating building.

The construction of the Conciergerie dates back to the 10th century when King Philippe Auguste ordered the construction of a fortress on the Île de la Cité to protect Paris from invasions. The fortress was then expanded and converted into a royal palace by Charles V in the 14th century.

However, it was during the French Revolution that the Conciergerie gained its infamous reputation as a prison where thousands of prisoners were held before being executed during the Reign of Terror. Among the famous prisoners who were held at the Conciergerie were Queen Marie-Antoinette, Maximilien de Robespierre, Georges Danton, and Charlotte Corday.

After the Revolution, the Conciergerie was converted into a tribunal to try political crimes and conspirators, until the function of the tribunal was transferred to other buildings in 1914. In 1914, the Conciergerie was transformed into a national museum to preserve its fascinating history and architecture.

Today, the Conciergerie is a popular museum for visitors, showcasing the history of this incredible building and the famous prisoners who were held there. Visitors can also admire the prison cells and torture rooms, as well as the restored parts of the royal palace that were discovered during archaeological excavations. The Conciergerie is open every day except January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th.