On the Île de la Cité, right next to the Palais de Justice, the Conciergerie was first a residence of the kings of France before becoming a prison starting in the 14th century. It's where Marie Antoinette was held before her execution in 1793, alongside many other figures of the Revolution. The building still houses one of the largest surviving medieval halls in Europe, the Salle des Gens d'Armes, as well as several rooms that bear witness to its history as a prison.
Highlights
Marie Antoinette's Cell
Reconstructed with period furniture and a small altar, this is the cell where the queen spent the last two and a half months of her life before being guillotined.
The Salle des Gens d'Armes
Built starting in 1302 under Philip IV, this immense Gothic hall, covered with rib vaulting, ranks among the largest surviving medieval halls in Europe.
The Girondins' Chapel
This is where 22 Girondin deputies spent their last night in 1793 before their execution. The chapel today displays several relics from the revolutionary period.
Infos pratiques
Tips
Get the combined ticket with the neighboring Sainte-Chapelle and buy it online in advance. This avoids the line, which is often long at the Sainte-Chapelle security checkpoint.
How to get there
The nearest metro station is "Cité" (line 4), right on the island. The "Châtelet" station (lines 1, 7, 11, 14) and the RER B/C "Saint-Michel - Notre-Dame" are also a few minutes' walk away. Buses 21, 24, 27, 38, 58, 81, 85, and 96 also serve the neighborhood.
Opening hours
Nearby
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