Paris, France - The Conciergerie

If the French Revolution is a period of history that fascinates you, then a trip to the Conciergerie is a must. This former palace became Paris' first prison, where thousands were jailed in the late 18th century, most of whom were executed by guillotine.

The building has a dramatic, if unpleasant past. Its most prominent resident was Queen Marie Antoinette, but it also held George Danton, a lawyer involved in the removal of the royal court from Versailles, the romantic poet Andre Chenier, in later years, and Madame Elizabeth, mistress of Napoleon III. Marie Antoinette's cello is now a chapel to her memory.

The building, with its spiked conical shaped towers and austere grey facade, stands a trifle gloomily in the complex of the Palais de Justice on the Ile de la Cite. It was built in the 14th century as a palace for King Philip IV, but was turned into a prison when the royal family moved to the nearby Louvre. High-ranking prisoners, such as Marie Antoinette, were given their own cells with a few comforts, while common criminals shared damp, dark cells known as oubliettes, or 'forgotten places'. It is said that many were tortured within its walls, creating fear among the residents of Paris that lasted for decades.

The Conciergerie ceased to be a prison in 1914, and became a centre of Paris' legal system, housing the law courts. At the same time it was declared a national historical monument and was opened to the public.

Visitors enter through the boulevard du Palais entrance and immediately set foot into the Salle des Gens d'Armes. One of the best-preserved Gothic-style medieval halls in Europe, this room would have been used by the royal household as a place to dine. From here, a tour takes you to the Galerie desPrisonniers, which contains a re-creation of the Salle de Toilette, where prisoners were prepared for execution.


Harry_Preston

Enter Your Email Address For Update :

Delivered by FeedBurner

Related Post :