The Conciergerie

By on 20/08/2009 in Attractions
the Conciergerie former royal palace

the Conciergerie former royal palace

As a royal palace and prison in Paris, France, La Conciergerie is located on the west part of the Ile de la Cite, near the  Notre Dame Cathedral. A part of the Palais de Justice, La Conciergerie is in service for judicial matters as well. During the French Revolution, a large number of prisoners in La Conciergerie were executed on the guillotine at different places in the neighbourhoods of Paris.

The French Revolution’s Conciergerie

During the bloody phase of the French Revolution, the Conciergerie had a repulsive fame before it became famous as the “antechamber to the guillotine” internationally. At some time, the Revolutionary Tribunal comprised up to 1,200 male and female prisoners. Between the dates of 2 April 1793 and 31 May 1795, the Tribunal sat in the Great Hall and about 2,600 prisoners were sent to the guillotine. The poet Andre Chenier, Charlotte Corday, Queen Marie Antoinette, the Girondins, Madame du Barry, Madame Elisabeth were the most well-known victims condemned by Georges Danton.
The Conciergerie carried on to be in service as a prison for famous prisoners like Napoleon III after Bourbon’s restoration in the 19th century. The cell Marie Antoinette prisoned, transformed into a chapel dedicated to her memory. In 19th century, very significant restorations were applied to the Conciergerie and Palais de Justice. Dated from nearly 1858, the constructure seems like a fortress of medieval times.

In 1914 they decommissioned the Conciergerie and as a national monument of historical times it opened to the public. As much of it is in service for the Paris law courts, a small part of the structure is open to public as a popular tourist attraction.

Practical Information

  • Opening days and times: From months of March 1st to October 31st, it opens at 9:30 am and closes at 6:00 pm. From months of 1 November the 1st to February the 28th, it opens at 9:00 am and closes at 5:00 pm.
  • Cash desk: The last admission is accepted half an hour before the closing time.
  • Days of the week: It is open everyday included Saturday and Sunday.
  • Public Holidays: Open on the public holidays of Easter, 8 May, Ascension Day, Whitsuntide, Whit Monday,14 July, 15 August,1 November and 11 November
  • Independant Tours and Guided Tours: It costs €7 normally except teachers. For teacher visitors, it costs only €4.50. For individuals’ guided tours by agents of the monument, it starts at 11:00 am and finishes at 3:00 pm. In admission ticket, the visit is included. The ticket is free for disabled visitors, jobseekers and also free on the first Sunday of every month from November to April excluded. At the same time it costs nothing for 26 countries belonging to the EU and school teachers. Children under 18 (accompanied) are also accepted with no cost.
  • Cost for Group Tours: For normal group visitors (min. 20), the cost is €5.30 but for school group visitors, €30.
  • Location: La Conciergerie, 1 Quai de l’Horloge, 75001 Paris France
  • Tel: 1 53 40 60 97/1 53 40 60 93
  • Fax: 1 53 40 60 96

Text Source: ‘Paris4Travel‘

The Conciergerie is located in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. So, you may see;

The Conciergerie Map:

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