building, Paris’ oldest Prison. It was here,
confined to a dungeon, that the Queen of France and the wife of Louis
XVI spent the last five weeks of her life whilst awaiting the
guillotine. Located not far from Saint-Chappelle, La Conciergerie still
fascinates visitors thanks to this somber souvenir of the French
Revolution. At that time more than 4000 prisoners were held behind the
cold, hard walls of this prison-court, all awaiting a dreaded appointment
with the guillotine. Robespierre and Danton, themselves famed for
implementing the system which brought these prisoners their fate, were
also put to death here. The cell of the deposed Queen remains the most
popular attraction but she was not the only famous detainee. Ravaillac,
who assassinated King Henry IV was also confined here. Another
curiosity of the Conciergerie is the gothic room of the Gens D’Armes
which housed the King’s soldiers of the guard. Remarkably well
preserved, it evokes perfectly barrack life at the time of its
construction by Philippe the Good during the 14th century. For
those brave enough a visit to the torture chamber located in the Tour
Bonbec is a must. Outside, on the corner of the quai de l’Horloge, you
will find Paris’ first public clock, working perfectly despite having
been made more than six centuries ago in 1370.
