The Conciergerie Monument: a splendid Gothic palace, a royal residence that became the Palace of Justice, and later a revolutionary prison. A long historical past. Today Palais de Justice is just 200 m away.
The Conciergerie Monument extends its long silhouette along the banks of the Seine in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, making it one of the best-exposed buildings in Paris. Imposing the stature and beauty of its medieval architecture, the Conciergerie Monument is a place little visited by Parisians and tourists. Perhaps this is due to its bloody revolutionary past.
The Conciergerie Monument, the center of royal power
The Conciergerie Monument is the former "Palais de la Cité", which was the palace of the ancient kings of France, those of the Capetian family. The original Palais de la Cité dates from the 10th century, and what we can admire today dates from its renovation in the 14th century. It was larger than the present The Conciergerie Monument, also including the nearby Palace of Justice and the Sainte Chapelle (1242-1248), built by King Saint-Louis (1214-1270).
The Concierge of the Palace who gave the name to the monument
The "Palace Concierge" was an important figure in the king's life, responsible for collecting royalties from the rental of the stores that were located nearby in the royal palace. It is from his function that the name of his residence, the Conciergerie, derives.
The administration of the king will be kept in the Conciergerie: the Parliament, the Chancellery, and the Chamber of Accounts have their residence there. The power of the Concierge, true steward of the king, is then enormous.
Transfer of royal power out of the Paris of the time
Charles V decides to transfer the seat of royal power to the Saint-Pol Palace outside the ramparts built by Philippe Auguste.
In 1310, the Conciergerie building was transformed into a prison in its lower part (the upper part being an annex of the Court of Cassation de l'époque). Defendants were kept there while awaiting trial. And they are numerous to be parked while waiting for their judgment. The richest were given a cell with a mattress to lie on, while the less fortunate were crammed on the floor. In most cases, their captivity led to an execution... It was in 1914 that the prison closed its doors to become a national monument open to the public.
The Conciergerie Monument and the special revolutionary Court
The Conciergerie Monument became one of the main places of detention during the French Revolution with the installation of the revolutionary court. Its most famous prisoner is Marie-Antoinette. A commemorative chapel was set up at the time of the Restoration on the site of her cell and can be seen when visiting the building.
The dark hours of the Conciergerie Monument during the Revolution
During the revolution, the Conciergerie will continue its functions as a state prison, with enough dungeons for 1000 prisoners (rather crowded). It is here that all the Revolutionary notables who are imprisoned will be held, awaiting their trial (which usually ends on the guillotine). The public accuser Fouquier-Tinville, of sinister reputation (the Prosecutor in our current system), will sit there. No less than 2700 people condemned to death in less than two years will pass through the Conciergerie! Marie-Antoinette will stay there, before going up on the scaffold. Robespierre, who is at the origin of the revolutionary turmoil called the Terror, will also be the host before losing his head, which will put an end to this murderous madness.
The 19th century and the prison of the Conciergerie
In the 19th century, Marshal Ney (Marshal of Napoléon 1st) was locked up there a few days after his arrest on 19 August 1815 before being shot. The anarchist Felice Orsini who had attempted to assassinate Napoleon III in 1858 (156 wounded, 12 of whom were later killed) was also imprisoned in the Conciergerie. The function of the prison continued in the Conciergerie Monument until 1914 when it became a national monument and was open to the public.
The 4 Towers of the Conciergerie Monument
The towers are the most visible external elements of the medieval era of the Conciergerie, testifying to the antiquity of the site.
Tower of the Clock (the 1st tower at the west)
The oldest public clock in Paris was built on this 47-meter high tower with walls one meter thick, in 1371, hence its name. The clock was made by a clockmaker from Lorraine, Henri de Vic. The current sundial dates from 1585 (restored in the 19th century), a work of Germain Pilon, with its beautiful colored dial and its decorations to the glory of King Henri III. To read more click on Tour de l'Horloge.
Silver Tower (Tour d'Argent)
This tower was the place where the royal treasure was kept. A very logical name for such a function.
Caesar Tower (Tour César)
This is the twin tower of the Silver Tower. It was named "Caesar" in memory of the Romans, who had built the ancient buildings on which the foundations of the tower now rest.
Tour Bon-Bec (Last tower east side)
This tower, where prisoners were tortured, dates from Saint-Louis: it is the oldest of the four towers of the Conciergerie.
The Bonbec Tower, which owes its name to the fact that it was the room where the "question" (torture) that made the tortured confess (good beak = good word) was practiced.
Conciergerie Monument Rooms
They are gothic, medieval, and very impressive rooms. It's hard to believe you're still in Paris once you're inside, so much this medieval bath can be a change of scenery. We are quickly brought back to reality when we look through a window, and we recognize a most typical Parisian street. To underline the beautiful work of restoration and illumination of these rooms, which highlight the historical Parisian and French heritage of first importance that these rooms represent.
Guard's Room
Built in 1310 by Philip IV the Fair, it was the antechamber of the Grand Hall.
Grand Hall
This is where the king held his "beds of justice". Receptions at the Palace were also held here, where meals were served on a black marble table.
Hall of the People-at-Arms (Salle des Gens d'armes)
This room of the Conciergerie Monument is gigantic: 64 meters long for a width of 27.5 and 8.5 high, it was built between 1302 and 1313 by Enguerrand de Marigny. It was the refectory of the king's staff, about 2000 people. It is in this room that you will see a fragment of the black marble table, where the king sat when he gave justice. It is a real astonishment to enter this huge room, and one is transported back in time, despite the empty space. It must have been teeming with life at the time, with furniture, tables, people...
Continue the visit with the Sainte Chapelle located about 100 m away
And on your way, admire the clock in the Clock Tower.
See our article on the Holy Chapel (La Sainte Chapelle)
Note that a common ticket Conciergerie and Sainte Chapelle is available at the entrance of the Conciergerie.
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