The storied Conciergerie has had many official roles since its medieval origins. Renowned for its Gothic architecture, the palace was eventually abandoned by French kings in the 14th century before being used as a judicial building and later a prison during the Reign of Terror. Today, the landmark is a popular tourist attraction and the home of Parisian law courts.
The Conciergerie can be seen from the outside on numerous tours, including hop-on hop-off bus tours, Seine River cruises, and Île de la Cité walking tours. Admission to the interior museum is also included in the Paris Pass.
Discounted combination tickets are available for the Conciergerie and Sainte-Chapelle.
Due to its heritage architecture, the monument is not wheelchair accessible.
Visitors can take a self-guided tour using a booklet in 10 languages or join a free French-language tour.
For an interactive experience, rent a Histopad—a digital tablet that includes augmented-reality and 3D views of the palace.
Poised on the Île de la Cité (one of two major Seine islands within Paris), the Conciergerie can be reached by Métro line 4 to Cité station or the RER train B or C to Saint-Michel Nôtre-Dame station. The area is also served by numerous city buses including the 21, 27, 38, 58, and 81.
The Conciergerie is open daily from 9:30am–6pm, barring annual closures on January 1, May 1, and December 25. The last admission is 30 minutes prior to closing time. Admission is free on the first Sunday of the month from November–March.
Another highlight of the Île de la Cité, Sainte-Chapelle also was once part of the Palais de la Cité. Today, the chapel is renowned for its extraordinary stained-glass windows and Gothic splendor. Combination tickets make it easy to visit both landmarks in one day.
