Address 2 Boulevard du Palais 75001 Metro: Cité or Chatelet Web: Conciergerie Homepage Admission: 25 and older: 6.50 euros; 18 – 25 4.50 Under 18 Always Free Everyone Free on First Sunday of Each Month Open: Winter: 9am-5pm Summer: 9:30am-6pm

The Conciergerie is the oldest Parisian royal palace. It was built in the 14th century by Philippe le Bel, and it was considered one of the most beautiful royal palaces of the Middle Ages. It was abandoned in favor of the Louvre in the late 14th century. It became a central administration building for the king’s concierge who was in charge of keeping order and of the royal police. Thus, it was named the “Conciergerie” and part of it was was converted to a prison.

During the French Revolution’s (1789 – 1793) Reign of Terror, the Revolutionaries used the Conciergerie as their own prison. Perhaps its most famous prisoner was Marie Antoinette who stayed here before she was guillotined at the Place de la Révolution (Place de la Concorde) in 1793. It was restored in the 20th century, and visitors can see the Queen’s quarters along with some of her personal belongings, including her final letters.

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