A Visit to the Conciergerie in Paris

The Conciergerie in Paris is located on a small island in the middle of the Seine, adjacent to the Palais de Justice (separated only by a wall) and not far from Notre-Dame Cathedral. Its entrance is surprisingly small—easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. Descending from the entrance to the basement, after security checks and ticket verification, a spacious hall comes into view. The towering stone arched ceiling, paired with massive columns, bears the marks of time ⏳. At the other end of the hall is a souvenir shop; passing through it begins the main exhibition of the Conciergerie. Both sides of the exhibition path preserve the original appearance of the ancient prison, keeping historical relics intact. The guard room has also been meticulously restored, with kerosene lamps, display boards, tables, and chairs placed to recreate the scene 🛡️. Climbing the stairs to the second floor, you’ll find some prison ruins—tiny cells separated by transparent glass. Nearby panels explain the architectural style and history of the building. Continuing along the exhibition route, you can visit a small chapel and view displays of ancient clothing 👘. Finally, you can step outside to the prison’s courtyard and look out. After following the marked path around, you’ll return to the starting point of the main exhibition. Before ending your visit, stop by the shop to pick up souvenirs—including free commemorative banknotes, coins, and eco-friendly bags with unique designs 🛍️. The exhibition isn’t large; an hour is enough to see everything. However, the shock left by the ancient architectural relics lingers far longer than a day or two. The Conciergerie is truly worth a visit. After exploring Notre-Dame or other nearby attractions, it’s easy to drop by here. The Conciergerie is part of the Palais de la Cité, built in the early 14th century at the request of King Philippe. It was then the residence of the king’s provost. From this period, three Gothic chambers remain. On the ground floor is the Salle des Gens d’Armes, one of Europe’s largest surviving medieval civil halls—64 meters long, 27.5 meters wide, and 8.5 meters high. Built by architect Enguerrand de Marigny between 1302 and 1313, it served as a dining hall for the king’s staff 🍽️. The Salle des Gardes, constructed around 1310, is the antechamber to the Grand’Salle. The Conciergerie once held those accused of attempting to harm or assassinate the king. During the French Revolution, it functioned as a prison for the Revolutionary Tribunal—imprisonment here almost guaranteed a trip to the guillotine ⚖️. A former courthouse and prison in Paris, it sits on the western part of Île de la Cité, below the Palais de Justice. Originally part of a royal palace (which also included the Sainte-Chapelle), it retains two large medieval halls. During the French Revolution, 2,780 prisoners—including Marie-Antoinette—were detained here, tried, sentenced, and then sent to various locations for execution by guillotine. #ParisExhibitions #Paris #Conciergerie