Conciergerie

The building was converted into a prison when  King Charles V, who had been living in the Conciergerie, decided to relocate to the other side of the River Seine. Very few prisoners made it out alive from this penitentiary.

The word “conciergerie”, which in French means the lodging of a housekeeper, was the name given to the prison, as it was part of the building that was looked after by the person left in charge of the palace in the absence of the King.

Visiting the Conciergerie

Today, in the Conciergerie, there is a small reconstruction of the different revolutionary cells, where visitors can appreciate the living conditions of the poor convicts who slept on the floor in a completely bare prison cell, to the wealthiest prisoners who were given a bed, furniture, and sometimes even servants.

There is a very detailed reconstruction of Marie Antoinette’s cell, which, after having tried to escape, was guarded at all times by watchers who remained in her cell up until she was executed.

During the years the Conciergerie was used as a penal institution, over 2,700 prisoners were executed, including famous people.

An Interesting Visit

​Learning about the horrific conditions in which thousands of people lived before being executed in the Place de la Concorde might be reason enough to pay for entry to the Conciergerie.

• Conciergerie Ticket

The best option is to purchase a combined ticket at this link to make the most of both experiences:

• Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie Ticket