History and Visit of the Conciergerie in Paris
The Conciergerie is a former prison situated in the 1st arrondissement of Paris on the Boulevard du Palais. Its construction was ordered by King Philippe le Bel, beginning in 1285 and ending in 1353.
It’s a part of the Palace of Justice in Paris. The architectural style of the building features ribbed vaults. The Conciergerie has been classified as a historical monument since 1914.
Prison cells were located on the ground and first floors and served as an annex to the Court of Cassation. The Conciergerie functioned as a temporary prison for inmates who were to be transferred to other penitentiaries. Famous personalities such as Marie Antoinette, General Hoche, and Charlotte Corday were once incarcerated here.
The area where the Conciergerie now stands used to be a courtyard of the palace of the kings and later became a royal garden. It served as the residence of the royal concierge before becoming a prison in the fifteenth century, hence the name “Conciergerie”.
The Conciergerie is flanked by four impressive towers along the Quai de l’Horloge, remnants of the ancient palace. These towers include: the Bonbec Tower from the reign of Saint Louis, the Twin Towers, the Silver Tower, the Caesar Tower from the reign of Philip the Fair, and the square Clock Tower.
The interior of this building is characterized by its Gothic style. It features rooms adorned with coats of arms, a magnificent guard room, and a kitchen pavilion dating from the fourteenth century. Today, this majestic building functions as a museum.
Transfer to the Conciergerie in Paris
The Conciergerie is located at a distance of 19 km from Orly Airport, 29.8 km from Charles de Gaulle Airport, and 90 km from Beauvais Airport.