La Conciergerie (The Lodge), Paris

The Conciergerie, or The Lodge, is a historic courthouse and prison on the City Island in Paris, originally part of the royal City Palace, which also includes the Holy Chapel and Paris's first public clock, installed around 1370. Once a royal residence and judicial hub, this part of the City Palace became known as the Conciergerie after the “concierge” who was appointed by the king to uphold order.

By 1391, the Conciergerie was designated as a jail for both common criminals and political prisoners, in which living conditions reflected the prisoners' wealth and social status. Affluent inmates could secure private cells with basic comforts, while the poorest were confined to dark, cramped dungeons. Executions were routine, with many prisoners sentenced by the Revolutionary Tribunal and taken to the nearby guillotine at Concorde Square.

The Conciergerie gained notoriety during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror, when it held over 2,700 prisoners, including prominent figures like Marie Antoinette, the last queen consort of France, and Georges Danton, a leading figure in the French Revolution. Both of them were tried and executed by guillotine. The prison’s influence continued beyond the Revolution, with various regimes utilizing its facilities, including the trial of Napoleon III.

The Conciergerie’s architectural significance lies in its four medieval towers, such as the Clock Tower, home to the first public clock in Paris, and the grand Hall of the Men-at-Arms.

Today, the Conciergerie is a national monument and museum, offering visitors an immersive look at its turbulent history. Marie Antoinette’s cell has been transformed into a Memorial Chapel, and the Women’s courtyard offers a glimpse into the site’s somber past. For a more detailed experience, visitors can use the "Histopad" gadget, combining audio and visual elements, to learn more about life inside the prison during its most infamous periods.

Tip:
Visiting the Conciergerie is possible on a combined ticket granting access to the neighboring Holy Chapel as well.