About Conciergerie
Conciergerie, the infamous French prison in the city of the Île de la Cité, Paris, was originally a royal home of the French kings. This magnificent place is a former courtroom and became an important part of the administration of the Kingdom. The Concierge held the command of the royal residence and functioned as an authoritative member in the absence of the king and that’s how it got this name in the 14th century.
Charles V named the palace La Conciergerie which functioned as parliament where the Conciergerie would live and have a privileged role in the country. Holding administrative powers throughout the centuries, this place became a dreadful prison during the French Revolution. The reign of terror started in the 18th century holding 2700+ prisoners including the French Queen Marie-Antoinette. Holding a strong historical value throughout the history of France, the Conciergerie is now a national monument and museum of the country.
The gothic style of architecture made the Conciergerie Paris, the talk of the town and had constant renovations by the kings leading to the Gothic Revival style in the 1700s. The Conciergerie has four medieval towers and the popular clock on the Tour de l'Horloge (14th century).
This place is large enough to have different sections to explore like The Hall of the Men-at-Arms and the "Rue de Paris", the Hall of the Guards, the kitchen pavilion, and the most popular attraction of the Memorial Chapel containing the infamous ‘stone tears’.
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Things to See Inside Conciergerie Paris
Built by the French King Philip IV, this is the largest non-religious gothic hall in entire Europe by area. You can witness this grand hall in Conciergerie Paris with four huge aisles held by the strongest pillars which stretch up to the ceiling making it look even larger and magnificent.
This place served as a host of royal banquets, dining room, and gathering place for the soldiers, armed guards, and the servants of the then-palace.
Built by the French King Philip IV, this place served as a quarter for the guards who protected the kings. When the royal residence was moved to Louvre, this place was turned into an overcrowded dungeon for prisoners. The Hall was restored in the 19th century by architect Antoine Marie Peyrle decorated the hall with sculptures on the capitals of the columns.
Smaller than the Hall of Soldiers, you can witness the Guard Hall has a vaulted roof supported by three massive pillars that divide it into two naves and a spiral stairway connecting to the next floor.
The main highlight to see in the Conciergerie tickets, is the place where the French Queen Marie-Antoinette was imprisoned for 10 weeks until her ultimate trial and beheading. When the monarchy was restored in the 19th century, the original cell was replaced by the Memorial Chapel dedicated to the Queen.
The memorial tries to tell you the melancholic story of the Queen spending her last days in the cell. The marble monument marks “The Queen’s Testament” and the painful yet beautiful paintings mimic her imprisonment. The black faux marble walls are marked with stone teardrops and the chapel gets enlightened through a single stained glass window.
The prisoners were held in the prisoner’s chamber which was overcrowded so much that the prisoners would sleep on the floor within a thin layer of straw in different shifts. This poor prisoner’s cell is the place where the poorest prisoners were kept and called "pailleux" or "straw-sleepers", who were fed with only bread and water.
These communal cells have the prisoner’s name engraved inside them and you can listen to the tale of the fifty most famous prisoners jailed in the Conciergerie.
This place got its name from the infamous Revolutionary group of “Girodins'', who served the last meal before their execution. Created after a fire destroyed the palace’s medieval oratory in 1776, the Girodin’s chapel remains mostly unchanged unlike the other areas of the Conciergerie telling you about its history.
This place remains the same as the original, even when it was converted into a prison cell during the period of the Reign of Terror.
The Women’s Courtyard was a place where the women prisoners would carry on their everyday activities like washing their clothes in the fountain, eating outside, and doing some walking exercises. This place consists of the arcades, stone tablets, the garden, and a triangular area at the northeast corner separating the men’s prison.
Today, there are beautiful flowers in the garden giving a fresh breath of air for you to experience in the Conciergerie Paris.
Places to Explore Near Conciergerie
King Louis IX‘s favorite place, is the most elegant royal chapel in France having iconic glass windows. You need to have the Conciergerie Sainte Chapelle tickets for visiting this place to see one of the most iconic Gothic styles ever to exist. The beautiful and infamous Rose Window has 87 glass petals attractive enough to capture your heart.
Home to the Parisian buildings, art galleries, cafes, and most importantly a home of romance popular for couples along with a touch of elegance, the Place of Dauphine is a beautiful historic square. If you have the Conciergerie tickets, this French delight is an escape from the city’s busy life into the blissfulness of the authentic Parisian touch.
Situated near-by the Conciergerie Paris, considered to be the world’s largest museum, Louvre Museum possesses enchanting ancient paintings and drawings to hypnotize the spectators.
With the decorative arts and artifacts exhibiting the beauty of the Egyptian, Parisian, and Greek cultures, this French Museum is a must-visit if you have the tickets to La Conciergerie Paris.
Know Before You Book Conciergerie Tickets
By Car: You can reach it in approximately 5 mins by taking a taxi from the city center of Paris and heading directly to Musee d'Orsay at a distance of 1.1 km.
By Train: Take the RER B/C and stop at Saint-Michel. Cross the bridge and enter the City Island to find the Conciergerie within a walking distance.
By Metro: Take Line 4 and stop at Cité or take Lines 1/7/11/14 and stop at Châtelet.
Conciergerie Paris Tickets FAQs
Is the Conciergerie worth visiting?
Yes, the Conciergerie Paris is worth visiting on the tour because this place tells you about French history. This place was home to the French royalty until its ultimate conversion to the imprisonment chamber. From holding royal gatherings to making the prisoners ready for a guillotine, this place is full of the richness of French history.
Who built the Conciergerie?
The Conciergerie Paris was built 2600 years ago in the period of key transformation of the Roman Empire into the European. In the 6th century, it is believed that the first French King Clovis I constructed Conciergerie in the northern part of the old royal residence of Palais de la Cite.
Why is the Conciergerie important?
The Conciergerie is important because it was once a royal residence until the time of the French Revolution as it was the main prison center as the imprisonments, trials, and sentences happened at this place making it notorious throughout the country.
How long does it take to tour Conciergerie?
If you have the Conciergerie tickets, you can tour the area on your own completely in an hour and a half. So, it is recommended to have a guided tour to know about the French history of the Conciergerie Paris.
Where is the Conciergerie located?
The Conciergerie, 2 Boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris, France and is on the northernmost part of a large complex of the buildings on the Ile de la Cité/The City Palace.
Do I need to book Conciergerie Paris tickets in advance?
Yes, it is adviced to book Conciergerie Paris tickets in advance so you can enjoy a hassel free experince.