Conciergerie: Entry Ticket

About this experience

Get priority access to this former palace and riverside prison on Paris's medieval Île de la Cité. You’ll see prison cells from the French Revolution (including the cell of Queen Marie Antoinette), and the Gothic is Europe’s biggest medieval hall still in existence.History is soaked into the thick walls of this incredible Gothic building. Built as a royal palace in the 14th century, when the royal family decamped for fancier surroundings in the Louvre and Vincennes, it found new life as a prison. During the French Revolution it earned the chilling nickname "the antechamber to the guillotine". People accused of being an enemy of the republic would face a tribunal in the Great Hall, where they would either be acquitted, or found guilty of treason and sentenced to death. If convicted they would await their fate in one of the nearby cells. The wealthy would pay for relatively comfortable rooms with beds, while commoners were crammed into plague-infested haybed cells.The most famous resident during its stint as a prison was Queen Marie Antoinette. After the Restoration, her cell was converted into a chapel. A visit to her lockup is one of the highlights of a trip to this famous building. Other attractions include Europe's largest medieval hall, the , and the dreaded Bonbec Tower, which was a torture chamber. The name 'Bonbec' refers to the fact that prisoners who came here would confess to whatever they were being accused of ( means 'good' and meant 'mouth').A visit to the Conciergerie is a fascinating glimpse into the turbulent history of the French Republic. And unlike many of its residents, you're allowed to leave afterwards! The Conciergerie's past as a tribunal lives on in the present - parts of it now house the Paris Law Courts.

Highlights

• Wander through the Salle des Gens d’Armes, the former dining room for 2,000 palace staff,and Europe's largest existing medieval hall
• The dramatic history of the famous Conciergerie includes life as both a palace and riverside prison fortress. Note the varied decor from its different lives

What's included

• Entrance to the Conciergerie
• Histopad, available until 16:30 in French, English, Spanish, German, Italian and Chinese

How to use

1. Show Mobile Ticket
2. Ticketing counter
3. Your booking is confirmed. Final Ticket will be sent to you separately. Please present either mobile or printed Final Ticket for redemption.

What to expect

Dive into Parisian history with a Conciergerie: Entry Ticket. This gateway unlocks a medieval marvel that once housed French royalty – and notorious revolutionaries. The Conciergerie, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts a rich and complex past. Step back in time and explore the grand halls, including the Salle des Gardes (Guards' Room) where Joan of Arc awaited trial. Descend into the chilly cells where famous figures like Marie Antoinette were imprisoned during the French Revolution.

The Conciergerie offers more than just a walk through history. Interactive exhibits with multimedia elements bring the past to life. Imagine yourself amidst the throngs of revolutionaries or feel the weight of history within the solitary confinement cells. The audio guide, available in multiple languages (including English), provides insightful commentary throughout your exploration. With the Conciergerie: Entry Ticket, you'll gain a deeper understanding of a pivotal period in French history and the fascinating characters who shaped it.

Things to note

• Big bags and suitcases aren't allowed inside and there are no lockers available
• The security check is mandatory for all visitors
• Under-18s, EU residents under 26, school teachers with a pass, disabled visitors + carer and French job-seekers get in free with a valid ID

Terms & conditions

Go to the Priority Entrance for ticket holders, bypassing the purchase line, and show your smartphone ticket. On the other side of the entrance there's a second security check. Opening hours 09:30 - 18:00. Getting There Metro: Line 4 to Cité; line 1, 7, 11 or 14 to Châtelet Bus: Lines 21, 27, 38, 85, 96 or Balabus More Information: