Conciergerie

The Conciergerie, located at 2, boulevard du Palais on the Île de la Cité, is one of the oldest remaining structures of the original Palais de la Cité. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it represents two pivotal eras in French history: the Middle Ages and the Revolution. Originally a royal residence and seat of power for French kings, it transformed into a prison in the late 14th century. During the French Revolution, it served as a detention center for the Revolutionary Court, most famously housing Marie-Antoinette. Visitors can explore the site, including a commemorative chapel built on the site of her cell.

The Conciergerie is open daily from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, with last access at 5:30 pm. It is closed on May 1 and December 25. Admission costs €13 for individuals. A discounted twin ticket with Sainte-Chapelle is available for €23 for European Economic Area nationals. Free entry is offered to under-18s, EU nationals aged 18–25, disabled persons with an accompanying adult, jobseekers, and visitors on the first Sunday of January, February, March, and November.

Visitors can choose a free self-guided tour, picking up informational documents in 11 languages at the reception desk. Guided tours are available daily at 11 am and 3 pm, lasting approximately one hour in French. Family events with workshops for children aged 6 to 12 are offered during school vacations. The site is accessible via Metro lines 1, 4, 7, 11, 14, and RER lines B and C. This historic site offers a profound look at Paris’s judicial and royal past, combining architectural heritage with significant historical narratives.