Overview:
Use a combined ticket to gain entrance to both the Conciergerie and Sainte-Chapelle. Explore the stunning architecture and illustrious cultural history of these two special places.
Highlights
- Learn about medieval Paris by seeing the beautiful Conciergerie, where you can also view the stunning architecture of the revolutionary court and the jail where Marie Antoinette is said to have been imprisoned.
- Visit the tombs of French Revolution heroes while admiring Gothic buildings from the 14th century, prison cells, and dungeons.
- Admire the Gothic architecture and magnificent 13th-century stained glass windows of the Sainte-Chapelle at your own pace.
- Learn more about the precious artifacts and relics stored here in the past, including the Crown of Thorns and the Image of Edessa
On crossing Pont Du Change, we saw the Conciergerie on the right, which was a old palace used by french kings. It became a detention prison during the French Revolution and the most famous prisoner was Marie-Antoinette. When we visited there was an exhibition of on the life, times and fashion icon of Marie-Antoinette. The exhibition was very enjoyable and informative. We also visited a commemorative chapel was erected on the site of her cell. Must visit and see.
The grand Conciergerie houses the French Police and the Court of Justice. This imposing Gothic palace, built by Philip Le Bel (the Fair) between 1301 and 1315, has a rich history. Parts of it were turned into a prison , controlled by the conciergerie, or keeper of the king's mansion, hence the name. Ravaillac, assasin of Henry IV, was tortured here. But it was during the Revolution that the prison became a place of terror, when thousands were held here awaiting execution at the guillotine. Today, you can see the Salle des Gardes and the magnificent vaulted Salle des Gems d' Armes, the medieval kitchens, torture chambers, the Bonbec tower and the cell where Marie Antoinette was held. There is also a fantastic virtual reality tour (free of charge), which shows you how all the sections of the building looked like.