Conciergerie: Tickets

Conciergerie Tickets and Information

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• Conciergerie Address: 2 Boulevard du Palais, 75001, Paris
• Opening Hours: Daily: 09:30 - 18:00

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Is Conciergerie Worth Visiting

• ‍‍‍‍If you enjoy visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites steeped in history then, definitely, yes.

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What You See At Conciergerie‍

• Incredible Gothic architecture
• Marie-Antoinette prison cell
• Bonbec Tower
• Salle des Gens d’Armes
• Europe’s largest mediaeval hall
• The Courtroom
• Other rooms and chambers

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About Conciergerie

Conciergerie is the incredible UNESCO World Heritage site with a rather storied past that is in the heart of Paris on the famous island of ‘Île de la Cité’ which is on the Seine river, and is also home to Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle.

Conciergerie is steeped in history. The building dates back to the Middle Ages, around the 14th century, when it was originally built for King Philip IV of France as part of the ‘Palais de la Cité’ complex. Part of the build included creating what is now Europe’s largest existing mediaeval hall, known as the ‘Salle des Gens d’Armes’ which would also be used as a dining hall and could accommodate 2000 palace staff!

The Conciergerie went on to become the royal residence and seat of power for the French monarch for several centuries. However, its probably most famous for being where Queen Marie-Antoinette was held prisoner before being executed which happened during the French Revolution.

During the period known as the ‘Reign of Terror’, it was converted into a prison by the revolutionary government and it became infamous as a place where thousands of people, including prominent figures such as Marie-Antoinette and Maximilien Robespierre, were held before being tried and executed by guillotine.

They stopped using Conciergerie as a prison after the fall of Robespierre in July 1794, which also marked the end of the ‘Reign of Terror’ during the French Revolution. The Revolutionary Tribunal, which had operated within the Conciergerie, was thankfully abolished, and the building's role as a prison ended and it was then used for other purposes.

Conciergerie was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, along with other major sites in Paris’ historical centre, known as the ‘historic centre of Paris’ listing, which includes the Île de la Cité.

Given the buildings history and age, you can see its Gothic architecture which includes big towers & arches as well as stone carvings and vaulted ceilings. The building has several areas open to the public which include:

• Hall of Soldiers - a vast space where the King's soldiers would have spend time.
• Marie-Antoinette's Cell (now a chapel)
• The Guard Room - where the guards used to monitor the jail.
• Girodin's Chapel - Built to commemorate the Girondin deputies that lost their lives.
• Courtyard - where the female prisoners would spend time.
• The Royal Kitchens - the vast space where the meals were prepared for both staff and royalty (different kitchen levels).
• Prisoners Gallery - Passageways that link the cells.
• Tribunal area - Where trails would take place.

Conciergerie is an incredibly popular tourist destination in Paris and attracts people from all over the world with one of it's highlights being Marie Antoinette’s former prison cell which has now been converted into a chapel.

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