This Pretty Paris Building Once Served as a Revolution-Era Prison

By Travel & Places Last updated Wednesday, April/03/2024

One dramatic old building looming majestically over the banks of the Seine river in Paris routinely gets overlooked by tourists, but in fact has a rich-- and fairly dark-- history: La Conciergerie.

Housed in the imposing, block-long complex on Paris's central Ile de la Cité that also includes the sublime Sainte-Chapelle and the Palais de Justice (courthouse), the Conciergerie, despite its name that conjures up luxury hotel services, was initially part of a former royal palace known as the Palais de la Cité, before being used as a Revolutionary prison during the late 18th century.

The most famous of its prisoners? Queen Marie-Antoinette, who would eventually be executed by guillotine along with her husband Louis XVI and their children, was held here in 1793 as she awaited execution. Thousands of other prisoners deemed traitors of the Revolutionary project-- whether royalists or those with a different revolutionary vision than the tyrannical leaders-- were thrown into cells here during the ten-month period of extreme violence known as "The Terror", living in deplorable and inhumane conditions before being dragged to several execution spots around the city. In total, over 40,000 people were killed by execution or from inhumane conditions of imprisonment between 1793 to 1794. The Conciergerie is perhaps the city's most well-preserved monument testifying to this bloody episode in France's long and rocky struggle to become a Republic. As such, it merits a visit, especially if you're interested in history.

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Today, visitors can walk around inside the beautiful old buildings of the Conciergerie and learn all about its history as a seat of medieval royal power from the 10th to the 14th centuries; hear about its initial use as a prison from the late 14th century onward, as well as soak up additional details about the Revolutionary period. There's even a chapel/memorial in Marie-Antoinette's former prison cell dedicated to her memory, which is open to visitors. The most common way to visit is through a self-guided tour (audioguides in several languages are included in the ticket price.)

The Architecture and the Building

The structure's stunning medieval-style edifice in fact dates to the mid-19th century, as one of the restoration projects of neo-Gothic enthusiast Viollet le Duc (who also restored parts of nearby Notre-Dame Cathedral).

Inside, certain elements of the original medieval structures, including the dramatic Hall of the Guard, offer a sense of drama with their vaulted beams resembling the corridors of a monastery.

Location and Getting There

The Conciergerie is located in the Palais de la Cité on the central "island" between the right and left banks of the Seine known as the Ile de la Cité. It is easily accessible by Metro, bus, or by foot from central Paris.

Address: 2, boulevard du Palais, 1st arrondissement
Tel: + 33 (0)1 53 40 60 80
Metro: Cité (line 4) or Chatelet-les-Halles (Line 1, 4, 7, 14)

Sights and Attractions Nearby:

The Conciergerie is in close reach of some of Paris' most popular sights and attractions, as well as some lesser-known gems. These include the following:

Opening Times and Tickets

The Conciergerie is open every day from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. Ticketing booth closes 30 minutes before; so arrive a bit early to ensure entry.

Closed: January 1st, May 1st, December 25th (Christmas Day)

For current ticket prices for adults, children, and others, visit this page at the official website.

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