 |
 The
Conciergerie has been the royal Palace
for French kings between the X and the XIV
century.
This impressive site was chosen by Phillippe
le Bel (Philip the Fair) in the early
14th century in order to build a palace that
would reflect his wealth and stature.
This famous building located on the west side
of the Île de la Cité, near the cathedral
of Notre-Dame, was converted to a prison in
1391 when Charles V and the Capetian kings
transferred the seat of the royal power to
the Louvre and Vincennes.
Both common and political prisoners were imprisoned
in the Conciergerie.
The best accommodations in the former palace
were given to wealthy prisoners while petty
thieves slept in dark, rodent-infested rooms
called "oubliettes" where they often succumbed
to diseases such as the plague.
Three towers survived from the medieval Conciergerie:
the Caesar yower, named in honour of the Roman
emperor; the silver tower, used as the royal
treasury; and the Bonbec (good beak) tower,
where prisoners were tortured.
During the Revolution, the Conciergerie housed
the Revolutionary tribunal, and served as
a prison for up to 1.200 prisoners at a time.
The most famous prisoner was Queen Marie Antoinette
who was imprisoned in 1793.
Her cell was later converted into a chapel.
Other famous prisoners were Charlotte
Corday, Manon Roland, the Girondins, Philippe
d'Orléans, the countess du Barry,
Georges-Jacques Danton, Chrétien-Guillaume
de Lamoignon de Malesherbes, Antoine Lavoisier,
Élisabeth de France and Maximilien
Robespierre.
The building kept his prison function during
the whole XIX century.
Then it lost this function and it was proclaimed
historic monument and it was opened to public
in 1914.
Useful
information
Address:
2, boulevard du Palais
75001 Paris
Tel.: 01 53 40 60 97
Access:
Chatelet
Saint Michel o Cité
Saint Michel o Chatelet
Hours:
Everyday, except some bank holidays, from
09 a.m. to 6 .p.m.
Rates:
Adults: 6,50 €
Riduced: 4,50 €
Groups (from 20 adults): 5,30 €
Free for children (until 17 years)
|
|
|
