Paris,
Thursday 13 June 2013 -
20:51
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The Conciergerie
Formerly a Royal Palace.
The Conciergerie is the oldest vestige of the gothic Royal Palace in Paris (the Palais de la Cité). Originally a lavish, Gothic-style residence for Royalty ranging from Clovis to Philip the Fair, in the late 14th century the Conciergerie was all but abandoned in favour of the Louvre Palace and Château de Vincennes. In the 15th century it was used as a prison, and a number of notable historic figures were incarcerated there including Marie-Antoinette during the French Revolution.
Although the term "concierge" may not seem like an impressive one today, at this time a concierge was a noble, a guardian and governer of the palace. The concierge kept order and justice, collecting the rent from the shops on the ground floor of the palace.
Getting there:
Metro: Cité
RER : Saint Michel - Notre Dame
Bus : 21, 24, 27, 38, 58, 81, 85, Balabus
Leisure activities
Shops, boutiques and malls