Paris has so many must-see places, and here’s one you may not have heard about to add to your list: The Conciergerie. Where is this? And what is it? All I knew going into the building was that Marie Antoinette spent her final days imprisoned here. A fascinating tour taught me more about this centuries-old place. 
The Conciergerie was first a palace
The Conciergerie was first a palace on the banks of the Seine right in the early center of Paris, near Notre-Dame. Built by King Philip the Fair in medieval times, the palace still stands. The center and kitchen, added by King John the Good, are open for touring.
From palace to offices — and a prison
Eventually the kings and queens of France took up residence in the Louvre and Versailles. They left the Conciergerie at the end of the 14th century. So this palace became judicial offices, which it houses even today. And part of it was converted into a prison. It’s most famous occupant was the queen of France during the days of the French Revolution, but many others were housed here until they lost their heads. 
Displays and signs along the tour provide information about the Conciergerie. 
You can explore the exercise yard. The spikes sticking out the roof give the idea that escape was not an option. 
Here’s the room where the prisoner’s hair was cut off in preparation for the guillotine. 
Where Marie Antoinette spent her final days
Marie Antoinette’s cell, where she spent the last 10 weeks of her life, was replaced by a chapel. The wall has a “tear” motif. The queen’s chair is on display. 
Art depicts the final day as Marie Antoinette made her way up the stairs to the cart that would take her to the nearby square for her beheading. 
So much history in this stately palace
The winds of history change. Those held in a prison cell may one day be honored. The walls of this palace, keeping their place in the center of Paris, have seen so much. It’s awesome to spend an afternoon here, imagining all that’s happened in this palace. 
Note: The Conciergerie is next door to Sainte-Chapelle. Ask about a joint ticket for admission to both.
One excellent way to explore Paris is with a walking tour. I highly recommend Take Walks Paris!
Where to stay
Paris offers hundreds of hotels. It’s sometimes overwhelming to start looking for a place to stay. Here are a few suggestions for lovely hotels near some of the sites mentioned. With the excellent Paris Metro system, you will be able to arrive wherever you like with just a little planning.
Near the Invalides: The Hotel de Varenne is exquisitely decorated and includes an inviting patio. You can walk from here to the Invalides as well as the Rodin Museum. (7th arrondissement)
Near the Pantheon: Hotel des Grand Hommes and (right next door) the Hotel les Dames du Pantheon. Both of these elegant hotels are across the street from the Pantheon. From my balcony room at the Grand Hommes I watched the sun rise on the iconic Pantheon. (5th arrondissement)
Near the Museum of the Liberation of Paris: Hotel Serotel Lutece is in the Latin Quarter, not exactly near the museum. But it is within comfortable walking distance. You can also walk from here to the Pantheon, Notre Dame, and Sainte-Chapelle. Not only is this a comfortable, attractive hotel, but I also found the staff here to be extra helpful with directions and information. (5th arrondissement)
Central to wherever you want to go: Hotel Moliere, themed on the French poet, is a delightful hotel near the Louvre. It is surprisingly affordable for this pricey area. You can walk or take the Metro to any sites you would like to visit. (1st arrondissement)
Book your train tickets with Trainline for easy and reliable service.
Renting a car in Europe? I can recommend renting with Auto Europe.
Consider a side trip to the D-Day Beaches and Normandy
History comes alive when you visit the D-Day Beaches in Normandy. Just a two-hour train ride or drive from Paris, the Normandy beaches offer battle sites and museums. Pay respects at the many somber cemeteries. Stay in charming Bayeux. Normandy makes a great side trip if you are going to Paris.
Places to visit include Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, and Gold, Juno, and Sword Beaches. If you have time, include all 5 D-Day Beaches in your itinerary for an amazing overview of June 6, 1944 and Operation Overlord.
FOR MORE OF PARIS, HEAD TO THESE POSTS!
Tips for Your First Trip to Paris
Climbing Up Into the Eiffel Tower
Exploring the Rodin Museum
5 Reasons to Visit Luxembourg Gardens
Paris Gardens to Enjoy
The D’Orsay Museum in Paris
A Walk in the Latin Quarter
Ageless Beauty at Sainte-Chapelle
Paris WWII Sites for History Lovers
A Few Hours in Paris
The Invalides – Where Paris History Comes Alive
Reasons to Visit the Eiffel Tower
See more of Paris with these tours!
41 Comments
That is just amazing!
I enjoyed this Post again for the Tuesday theme IMAGE-IN-ING.
HEIDRUN
https://happy-hour-with-picts.blogspot.de
Chilling and fascinating!! Beautiful photos too.
Very interesting.
Oh, poor Antoinette1 What was she beheaded for, again? Those were turbulent times for France, as they are now. Hopefully Macron will have a good influence to get France back to order and peace:) Now you make me curious where else you have been in Paris this time!
Many thanks for sharing this detail of French history with All Seasons! Have a lovely week:)
Walked past many times but never been in!
I must say this is a stunningly beautiful place, despite its gory history.
Thanks for linking up at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2017/09/pop.html
Amazing
Long ago and far away and yet, in many ways, people can now be as barbaric as those who beheaded Marie Antoinette.
For instance, forest fires have ravaged much of British Columbia, my home province here in Canada. For quite a while we believed them to be wildfires, caused by lightning, until evidence turned up that some of those raging fires were deliberately set by people as blackhearted as any medieval villain.
My soul revolts at the thought of a deliberately-set forest fire. And now there is smoke in the air here in southeastern Alberta because someone threw a burning cigarette out a car window, despite the long, hot, dry summer weather.
So, medieval minds lurk in 21st-century bodies.
Kay
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
What a beautiful building1
Nicely done post. I can’t imagine the fear and dread as they were shaving her head.
Marie Antoinette is one of my favorite historical women! I find her so fascinating! I read a really great trilogy about her and a book about Madam Tussauds and the beginning of her company during the Reign of Terror! Next time I’m in Paris I want to visit the Conciergerie! #CityTripping
Wow, from a historical perspective, the Conciergerie is really fascinating. Thanks for sharing this little seen gem.
Sharon,you visit so many interesting places. Really enjoy your posts. To me, Marie Antointte wasn’t an interesting historical figure until I discovered she was a Habsburg (daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor). Remember last week I wrote about Vienna? So, while we were there we learned a lot about her and her family. so intriguing how the reigns of Europe were united thru marriage.
You have to give her credit for standing by her man though I probably would have fled back to Austria with my children in tow. Not sure how much truth there is to the movie about her, but if so her husband was kind of pill. He should have reigned her in to a little on her spending but he probably was spending just as much. She was just a girl when the got married.
Such an interesting place despite its rather gruesome history. Definitely worth a visit. Youbr magw me realise I need to swot up on Marie Antoinette. Thanks for linking #citytripping
I love the arches on the ceiling.
Beautiful images. I had no idea you could visit Marie Antoinette’s prison. I do think it’s crazy that kids were buying Marie Antoinette coloring books at a place where she was held as a prisoner, though…
Among all the history in Paris I think this is one of the most atmospheric and fascinating spots – It’s amazing that it doesn’t seem to be better known as well. Thanks for the virtual return visit for me #farawayfiles
What a beautiful building and fabulous slice of French history
Mollyx
We visited this Palace during our last visit to Paris and found it fascinating! We didn’t really know what it was all about at the time, but were so glad we stumbled upon it! #farawayfiles
Another fascinating tour, your posts are my favorite in linkups.
What a fabulous place but I’m sure Marie didn’t think so from her prison. There’s so much history to learn, little by little, when we visit such places.
Wow — such beautiful architecture for a prison! Thanks for sharing!
This is very interesting! I never knew that there was this tour to the prison in which Marie Antoinette was jailed and beheaded because I’m a history buff, so stuff like this intrigues me and I would have gone for the tour 🙂 Yes, I love the names – King Philip the Fair and John the Good! Truly fascinating… #FarawayFiles
I didn’t know it’s open for visitors. But then again, I visited Paris ten years ago so.. #theweeklypostcard
The room where they shaved her hair for the guillotine is pretty disturbing… better than seeing an actual guillotine though! Yes, it’s quite strange how some people seem to see her as a hero rather than a villain nowadays. But hey, neo-Nazism just goes to prove that there will always be those who support even the worst of people.
I had not heard of the conciergerie before! It looks really interesting, and I love your photos. It is on my list for my next trip to Paris. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard
It’s many years since I visited the Conciergerie. We were in Paris in April but there’s so much to see that I didn’t get the chance to go back. However, it’s on my bucket list for next time. Thanks for the photos and the history. #AllAboutFrance
What an amazing building, on my list to visit when next in Paris
Hello Sharon, thanks for linking up with #TPThursday this week!
That is very sad. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have your head shaved and then be led off and beheaded. The shaving of the head is weird.
I had actually wanted to give the Conciergerie a visit while in Paris, but didn’t get to fit it in my itinerary, so thank you for the quick tour! It looks like an interesting place to visit.
Those vaulted ceilings are incredible arent they? I wonder if the Queen appreciated them in her final hours? Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
All the times I’ve been to Paris, I’ve never been in the Conciergerie – thanks for the intimate look inside. When I hear Marie Antoinette all I can think of is “Let them Eat Cake,” and “Off with her head!” She was definitely interesting! Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin
Having just come back from France I think we must include this in one of our annual trips one day. #FarawayFiles
Amaaaaaazing! I had no idea this place existed, and it’s on my long list of things to see/do when I make it to France again some day. My jaw was dropped the whole time I read this, and I have to scroll through your shots a few more times. 😀 THANKS for posting!
Such an impressive building; despite having lived in Paris for 10 years I never visited, how bad is that?! The display of hair and scissors gives me the shivers…thanks for sharing this with #AllAboutFrance
One day I will get to Paris and will try to visit as it sounds a fascinating place to look around, even with such a disturbing history #allaboutfrance
Wonderful photos and commentary Sharon! I’ve never seen details of the interior before so thank you for sharing them. You’ve really made me want to go (there’s always a line that discourages me), but I’ll make it a priority to visit this winter!
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