FRANCE’S HISTORIC MONUMENTS ❘ LA CONCIERGERIE IN PARIS LA CONCIERGERIE IN PARIS


MONUMENT IN FOCUS


In this regular series, we take a look around some of France’s many beautiful historical buildings under the care of the Centre des Monuments Nationaux. This month, we head to La Conciergerie in Paris.


FROM ROYAL PALACE TO PRISON FOR MARIE-ANTOINETTE In the heart of Paris on the Île de la Cité stands the oldest remaining part of the royal palace which housed the kings of France from the 6th century. In 1200, Philip II made the Palais de la Cité the seat of power of the Capetian dynasty; it was subsequently remodelled and extended by Philip IV in order to house the kingdom’s administrative institutions. France’s kings abandoned it at the end of the 14th century to settle in the Louvre and Vincennes. Known as La Conciergerie – a concierge was appointed by the king to maintain order, direct the police and


record the prisoners – the building held the Palace Parliament, the highest judicial body of the kingdom. This is also where the Revolutionary trials were held between 1793 and 1795. It became one of the main places of detention during the French Revolution and held, among others, Marie Antoinette before her execution. It continued to perform a judicial function and later became a courthouse. It is still home to the Paris Justice Palace nowadays. Today, you can discover this impressive example of Gothic architecture, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a fascinating visit to the monument. From the medieval


A NEW EXHIBITION PARIS, CAPITAL OF GASTRONOMY FROM THE MIDDLE AGES TO TODAY Set in the Men at Arms room, which used to house the old medieval canteen, this exhibition takes a culinary trip through the French capital’s gastronomic heritage, from Charles V’s legendary banquet to the city’s contemporary success in becoming a hub of creative cooking, with its diverse offering of high-end gourmet experiences and authentic traditional restaurants. Paintings, manuscripts, original menus, culinary creations, videos, photos and a selection


of ‘arts de la table’ will be presented in this mouth-watering exhibition. A series of workshops, tastings, conferences, guided tours and children’s animations will be held alongside the exhibition, which runs until July 16.  www.paris-conciergerie.fr


116 ❘ FRANCE TODAY Jun/Jul 2023


Top and from left: A view over the rooftop of the Conciergerie; the Conciergerie’s clock tower; the exquisite architecture of the Salle des Gens d’Armes


Palace of the City, the guard room and the immense room of the Men at Arms erected under Philippe le Bel, as well as the kitchens built under Jean le Bon, remain. The Sainte-Chapelle, built under Louis IX, also still stands today and never fails to dazzle with its intricate stained-glass windows.


The museum was recently revamped to offer an enriched section on the Revolution, as well as entirely renovated kitchens. And since 2021, an enhanced experience has been available to visitors via the museum’s fantastic histopads, a digital tool that allows you to step back in time thanks to its augmented reality, 3D reconstructions and fully interactive functionalities. FT  Open from 9.30am to 6pm. Advance online booking recommended. Tickets €11.50 (includes the histopad and the access to temporary exhibitions).


IMAGES © CENTRE DES MONUMENTS NATIONAUX: PHILIPPE BERTHÉ , CAROLINE ROSE


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