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Conciergerie is a former palace, courthouse and prison in Paris, France, where Marie Antoinette and other prisoners were imprisoned and executed during the French Revolution. Learn about its history, architecture and role in the Reign of Terror.
Oct 4, 2024 · Enjoy unlimited access to the Conciergerie! The Passion monuments card gives you access to over 80 monuments throughout France. A must for heritage lovers. Find out more. Subscribe to the newsletter. paris, conciergerie, monument, patrimoine.
Located in the heart of Paris, on the banks of the Seine, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Conciergerie is one of the oldest remains of the Palais de la Cité, residence and seat of power of the kings of France in the Middle Ages. Transformed into a prison for the Parliament of Paris towards the end of the 14th century, the ...
- The First Construction Here Was as A Gallo-Roman Settlement in The 2 BC.
- The Ancient Fortress Became A Royal Palace.
- The Palais de La Cité Royal Residence Was Also A Government Building.
- The Grosse Tour Was Built in The 12th Century.
- Tour Bonbec Is The Oldest Tower Still Standing.
- Tour de César and The Tour D’Argent Are The Two Towers in The Center.
- Tour de L’Horloge Contains The First Public Clock in Paris.
- Inside The Conciergerie Is The Sainte Chapelle.
- Law Courts Are Still Housed inside.
- Marie-Antoinette Had Her Judgement Here at The Revolutionary Tribunal.
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During the Iron age between 250 and 225 BC, a sub-tribe of the Celtic Gauls, called the Parisii settled on the banks of the Seine. They began to build a type of walled fort called an oppidumin the 2nd century BC. Some historians believe that this was around Ile de la Cité, where the Conciergerie now stands. In 58 BC, the Romans conquered the region...
Following the Romans came the Franks, including Clovis I who made Paris his capital and lived in that ancient castle till his death in 511AD. Later, his successor Charlemagne would expand the empire eastwith Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle) as his capital, and ignore Paris. It would be the Capetian Kings (Hugh Capet and his descendants) who would return to...
By the Middle Ages, the Palace on Ile de la Cité was a large royal residence and government including: 1. Salle de Roi– the meeting room nobles and for the royal council 2. Chambre de Roi– residence of the King 3. Chapel dedicated to Saint Nicholas 4. Chambre des Enquetes– which supervised public administration 5. Grand’Chambre– a high court where ...
In the center of the Palace used to a donjon or tower, known as the Grosse Tour. Built in the 12th century, it was 11.7 meters wide at the base, with walls three meters thick. When a new Grosse Tour was built across the Seine at the Palais de la Louvre, it was called the “New Tower”. This Grosse tower at the Conciergerie existed until 1776 when it ...
The oldest tower currently standing is the Tour Bonbec on the far right. It was built between 1226 and 1270 during the reign of Saint King Louis IX. The tower does not have a pleasant history, having been the Conciergerie’s primary torture chamber during the Middle Ages. It was said that prisoners tortured would sing like birds, with a “bon bec“, o...
The two towers in the centre of the Conciergerie that you see are the Tour de César and the Tour d’Argent which were built in the 14th century. Each has four levels. The top levels held the offices of the clerks of the court, both criminal and civil. The lower floors contained jail cells.
The tallest tower is the Tour de l’Horloge which was constructed by King Jean le Bon in 1350. The tower is at the intersection of Boulevard du Palais and Quai de l’Horlogeand contains the first public clock in Paris, made by Henri d’Vic, which was added in 1370. The sculptural decoration around the clock features the figures of Law and Justice whic...
At one end of the Palais de la Cité, you will find the Sainte Chapelle which was constructed in the 13th century by King Louis IX, later known as Saint Louis. Saint Louis had earned a sainthoodfor bringing back the Crown of Thorns and other holy relics from the Crucifixion of Christ to France from Constantinople (today known as Turkey). Saint Chape...
While the Palais de la Cité had housed law courts throughout much of the Middle ages, it was after the Revolution of 1789 that it took on a new importance, becoming its main function. On July 14, 1789, the fortress prison at Bastille Saint-Antoinewas stormed by the revolutionaries and the country would never be the same again. Needing a new prison,...
The most famous prisoner at Palais de la Cité was of course Queen Marie-Antoinette. After the execution of the former King Louis XVI, the revolutionaries debated what to do with the former Queen. To get rid of her, they decided to try her at Revolutionary Tribunal on accusations of high treason (to her native Austria), promiscuity and incestuous re...
Learn about the Conciergerie, a medieval royal palace and courthouse on Ile de la Cité, where Marie-Antoinette was imprisoned before her execution. Discover its origins, architecture, and role in the French Revolution.
Sep 10, 2024 · Bonbec Tower is the oldest tower of the Conciergerie. Its foundation dates back to the 11th century. The crenellated Bonbec Tower means ‘good beak’, for it housed the torture chamber where the prisoners were encouraged ‘to sing’ (to confess). The Bonbec Tower was restored in 1935 after a devastating fire.
The Conciergerie is open every day except January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th. Location : 2 Bd du Palais 75001 Paris. Phone : 01 53 40 60 80. Opening : From 1st March to 31st October : 9.30am – 6pm. From 1st November to 28th February : 9am – 5pm. Official website : https://www.paris-conciergerie.fr. This important vestige of the ...
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The Conciergerie is the oldest part of the former royal palace on the Île de la Cité, where Marie-Antoinette was imprisoned and executed during the French Revolution. Visit the Gothic hall, the clock tower and the cells of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
