History

La Conciergerie was built around the first quarter of the 14th century by Nicolas des Chaumes and Jean de Saint-Germer. It is located on the Ile de la Cite (Island of the city) along with Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle. La Conciergerie has the first public clock in Paris. The clock was built by Germain Pilon in 1585.The figures above the clock represent law and justice. La Conciergerie was first used as a palace before it was used for a court of law and a prison during the French Revolution. The monument gets its name from the government officer called the Concierge who was the palace intendant. He had more powers than a caretaker especially when the king left and he was in charge. The Concierge could put minor criminals in jail. Part of La Conciergerie had prison cells in it and more were added when the king left.
La Conciergerie burned down on March 6-7, 1618. The fire broke out in the attics above the Great Hall. There was a more serious fire on January 11, 1776. The fire destroyed all the buildings except Sainte-Chapelle. The final plans for restoration were made by the architect Huyot who had worked on the Arc de Triomphe. The plans didn't get started until 1853.
La Conciergerie is mostly known for the prison inside it. When the knig left they built more cells. There were many advantages in keeping prisoners directly in the palace. For example, there was less chance of escape. The judges were also nearby so the trials went faster and made it easier to punish the prisoners. Most of the French judicial system was played out in the palace. Many prisoners were kept in the prison because of religious conflict. During the French Revolution the French people used La Conciergerie as their main prison. They put their enemies and those they suspected in the prison. The most famous prisoner was Marie Antoinette. She was put in the prison on August 2, 1793 right next to the Clerk of the Court's office. On October 16, 1793 she died. Her cell is now a chapel in her memory. La Conciergerie is open today for vistors and is very popular.


History

	La Conciergerie was built around the first quarter of the 14th century by Nicolas des Chaumes and Jean de Saint-Germer. It is located on the Ile de la Cite (Island of the city) along with Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle. La Conciergerie has the first public clock in Paris. The clock was built by Germain Pilon in 1585.The figures above the clock represent law and justice. La Conciergerie was first used as a palace before it was used for a court of law and a prison during the French Revolution. The monument gets its name from the government officer called the Concierge who was the palace intendant. He had more powers than a caretaker especially when the king left and he was in charge. The Concierge could put minor criminals in jail. Part of La Conciergerie had prison cells in it and more were added when the king left. La Conciergerie burned down on March 6-7, 1618. The fire broke out in the attics above the Great Hall. There was a more serious fire on January 11, 1776. The fire destroyed all the buildings except Sainte-Chapelle. The final plans for restoration were made by the architect Huyot who had worked on the Arc de Triomphe. The plans didn't get started until 1853. La Conciergerie is mostly known for the prison inside it. When the knig left they built more cells. There were many advantages in keeping prisoners directly in the palace. For example, there was less chance of escape. The judges were also nearby so the trials went faster and made it easier to punish the prisoners. Most of the French judicial system was played out in the palace. Many prisoners were kept in the prison because of religious conflict. During the French Revolution the French people used La Conciergerie as their main prison. They put their enemies and those they suspected in the prison. The most famous prisoner was Marie Antoinette. She was put in the prison on August 2, 1793 right next to the Clerk of the Court's office. On October 16, 1793 she died. Her cell is now a chapel in her memory. La Conciergerie is open today for vistors and is very popular.


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