Conciergerie was the first French kings Palace before Charles V decided to move his residence to le Louvre in 1364.

After that move, Conciergerie was used as a jail. Detention conditions were terrible: Conciergerie was dirty, overcrowded and insane prisoners were mixed with politicians opposing prisoners. Conciergerie was recognized as the rudest jail in Paris.

During the French Revolution, la Concergerie was also used as the Revolution Justice Palace.
Marie-Antoinette (Louis XVI's wife), Robespierre (defender of human rights during the French Revolution) and thousands of citizens were judged in Conciergerie jail before they got under the Guillotine.

The best view over La Conciergerie is when you are on the border of Seine River. Like during summertime in Paris Plage :)

Before you go inside we should warn you that there is nothing really impressive to see in La Conciergerie. However what is worth seeing is the Sainte-Chapelle which is also part of the Royal Palace with La Conciergerie.

Part of the Royal Palace, Sainte-Chapelle was ordered by the French king Louis IX in 1242 to keep some religious treasures that belonged to the king family.

The most popular of these treasures are the relics of the Passion of Christ and the Crown of Thorns. Sainte-Chapelle was the private chapel for the king, his close friends and family.
Ornamented by the lily-flowers the emblems for the French king, Sainte-Chapelle considerably improved the royal power over the crowd as the king is to be representative of god.

Nowadays the edifice between the Sainte-Chapelle and La Conciergerie is the Justice Palace. That's why you have bodyguards and cabs everywhere at the entrance.

A sample of La Conciergerie and Sainte-Chapelle:

How to get to la Concergerie: La Conciergerie, 2 Boulevard du Palais 75001 Paris – Sainte Chapelle, 8 Boulevard du Palais 75001 Paris

• M4 Cité
  Bus: 21-24-27-38-58-81-85-Balabus
  Vélib' (City Bike): 4002 Place Louis Lepine
  Noctilien (Night Bus): N14-N21 Cité Palais de Justice, N15-N22 Cité Palais de Justice or Cité Parvis Notre Dame, N11-N12-N13-N14-N15-N16-N21-N22-N23-N24-N122-N144-N145 Châtelet

• Maps:
  
  

• Opening Hours and Prices for La Concergerie and Sainte-Chapelle