The Conciergerie is what remains of the medieval royal palace on the Ile de la Cite, later turned into the most feared prison of the French Revolution. Today you can walk through its vast Gothic halls, see the reconstructed cells and visit the chapel built where Marie Antoinette was held before her execution. It stands right beside the Sainte-Chapelle, and the two make a natural pair for a morning in the centre of Paris.
Why visit the Conciergerie
From the tenth to the fourteenth century, the Palais de la Cité was the seat of French kings. When the court moved away, part of the palace was run by an official called the concierge, which gave the building its name, and it gradually became a prison. During the Revolution the Revolutionary Tribunal sat next door, and thousands of prisoners passed through the Conciergerie on their way to trial and, for many, the guillotine.
The visit combines two very different atmospheres. The ground floor halls are some of the finest surviving secular Gothic interiors in Europe, while the upper rooms tell the darker story of the Terror.
How to get to the Conciergerie by metro
The nearest station is Cité on Line 4, the only metro stop on the island. It comes out by the flower market, and the Conciergerie entrance on Boulevard du Palais is a couple of minutes' walk away. Line 4 links the island to Châtelet, Saint-Michel, Montparnasse and Gare du Nord.
Other good options are Châtelet (many lines plus RER) across the Pont au Change on the Right Bank, and Saint-Michel Notre-Dame (Line 4 and RER B and C) on the Left Bank, each around ten minutes on foot.
Conciergerie tickets and opening hours
The Conciergerie is a national monument run by the Centre des monuments nationaux, and entry is paid. A combined ticket with the Sainte-Chapelle is usually available and saves money if you plan to see both, and the Paris Museum Pass has historically included it. Free or reduced entry is often available for younger visitors, particularly those from the European Union, so check the conditions. Buy tickets and check current hours on the official website, paris-conciergerie.fr.
The building sits inside the Palais de Justice complex, so expect a security check. Many visitors use the HistoPad, a tablet guide that shows the rooms as they looked in the past; it is a fun option, especially with children.
Highlights of the visit
Hall of the Men-at-Arms
The Salle des Gens d'Armes is a huge vaulted hall that once served as a dining room for palace staff. Its rows of columns and ribbed vaults make it the most impressive space in the building.
The kitchens and guard room
Smaller medieval rooms nearby include the guard room and the old kitchens with their large fireplaces.
Revolutionary prison
Upstairs, displays explain how the prison worked, who was held there and how wealth could buy a better cell. A wall lists names of people tried by the Revolutionary Tribunal.
Marie Antoinette's chapel
The queen spent her final weeks here in 1793. After the monarchy returned, a memorial chapel was built on the site of her cell, and a reconstruction of the cell nearby shows how she lived.
Tips for planning your day
The Conciergerie and the Sainte-Chapelle have separate entrances on Boulevard du Palais, both with security checks, so leave time between them. If you are also visiting Notre-Dame, the three sights fit comfortably into a single morning on the Ile de la Cite. The surrounding Palais de Justice is still a working courthouse, so some areas of the complex are closed to visitors.
Wear comfortable shoes: the medieval floors are uneven in places, and the halls can feel cool even in summer.
Best time to visit and how long
Mornings soon after opening are calmer, and the Conciergerie generally has shorter queues than the Sainte-Chapelle next door. Visit the Sainte-Chapelle first on a bright day to see the stained glass at its best, then come here. Allow about an hour, or a bit more with the HistoPad.
Nearby on the same stop
- Sainte-Chapelle: the royal chapel famous for its stained glass, in the same palace complex.
- Notre-Dame de Paris: a short walk east along the island.
- Marché aux Fleurs: the flower market right by Cité station.
- Pont Neuf and Square du Vert-Galant: the western tip of the island, good for a riverside break.
See more places near Cité station on the Conciergerie page, or explore the Paris metro guide for the rest of your trip.