La Conciergerie
0 comments // in Architecture Museums & Monuments My Paris // April 23, 2012
Located in the 1st arrondissement, the main remnant of the old Palais de la Cité. In the Middle Ages, the kings of France resided here. Then they left the Conciergerie for the Louvre and Vincennes. It later became a prison on the ground floor (from 1370) and parliament on the 1st floor.
Originating from the word “Concierge”, referring to the prison-keeper who had an important function. The concierge was a true steward of the king; he was in charge of the prison and Gothic rooms.
During the Revolution, the Revolutionary Court created on August 10, 1792 moved to the first floor. A considerable number of prisoners were transferred here from the prisons of Paris but also from the provinces. Their fate was sealed in advance, little room for negotiation. Famous people were guillotined here: Ravaillac, Queen Marie Antoinette, Charlotte Corday, Danton, Desmoulins, the Girondins, Robespierre …
Over the years, the Conciergerie became Paris’ Courthouse.
From the time of Philip IV Le Bel, some remarkable features still remain:
-The GUARD ROOM, built in 1310 22 m long and 11.80 m wide, is composed of two intersecting naves. It was the dining hall of the Palace, but subsequently a prison for men during the Revolution. Thus, it is made up of numerous cells.
-The HALL OF PEOPLE OF ARMS, a magnificent 2000 m2 Gothic hall, built by Enguerrand de Marigny. It is divided into four vaulted naves of warheads. A grid of four bays head back to the Gens d’Armes room to form a corridor named Rue de Paris during the Revolution (named after the executioner in charge of prisoners, M. de Paris). In these cells resided les “pailleux”, the poorest prisoners, and les “pistoliers” who had a little money for a bed compared to those of the wealthier classes.
KITCHENS-built under John Le Bon.
-La GRANDE SALLE, on the 1st floor where the king held his “bed of justice” on a large table of black marble where he also feasted. Also on the first floor is a list of the 2780 guillotined during the Revolution.
The three towers:
-LA TOUR DE L’HORLOGE – featuring the first public clock (1370), flanked by the Allegories of Peace and Justice.
-LA TOUR BONBEC – built in St Louis, where prisoners were tortured during the Revolution.
-LA TOUR D’ARGENT – where the royal treasure was deposited.
CESAR TOWER – built on Roman ruins, hence its name.
The Conciergerie, with it’s medieval architecture splendor exists as a memory of the revolutionary period and is a building that all should see.
Useful:
Conciergerie
2 Boulevard du Palais
75001 Paris
tel: 33 (0) 1 53 40 60 80
Times:
Open daily from 9:30 AM to 6 PM.
Reservations required for groups.
Closed January 1, May 1 and December 25.
Prices
Full price: 8.50 euros, reduced 5.50 euros
- Group of adults: 6.50 euros (20 persons and up)
- School groups: 30 euros (20 euros for zep) 35 students maximum. An attendant admits free per 15 students (8 students for kindergarten). For any additional attendant, the price for “adult group” applies, except for Education pass holders (free) or a Education business card holders (concessions).
Free
- Under 18 (family) and between 18-25 years for nationals of 27 countries of the European Union and non-European residents regularly on French territory.
- Persons with disabilities and their caretaker
- Unemployed on presentation of a certificate.
Combined ticket Concierge + Sainte Chapelle:
full price 12.50 euros, reduced 8.50 euros, 9.50 euros group rates
Access:
Metro: Châtelet (lines 1, 4, 7, 11, 14) / Station City or St. Michel (line 4)
Bus: 21, 24, 27, 38, 58, 81, 85
RER: line B-Châtelet or Saint-Michel / C line-Saint-Michel station
