Does this page sell tickets for La Conciergerie?

No — the Centre des monuments nationaux manages La Conciergerie and sets its own admission and hours. This page is written independently of it, and every tour linked here routes through Viator.

Where does the HistoPad tablet come from?

Visitors pick it up at the monument's entrance. It's part of the monument's own visit, developed by Histovery — not a Viator add-on or something this guide arranges.

What is the Salle des Gens d'Armes?

The great medieval hall at the heart of the building — raised in the early 14th century under Philip the Fair, about sixty-one by twenty-eight metres, and described as the largest non-religious Gothic hall in Europe. It was the dining hall for the palace's guards and servants.

How long was Marie-Antoinette held at the Conciergerie?

About eleven weeks. She was transferred from the Temple prison on the night of 1–2 August 1793 and executed on 16 October; the last 44 days were spent in the cell whose site is now the memorial chapel.

Can I combine this with Sainte-Chapelle?

Yes. The two buildings are a couple of minutes apart on the Boulevard du Palais. There's also a guided tour covering both; the monuments' own websites cover entry if you'd rather go at your own pace.

Is the Conciergerie wheelchair accessible?

No — the monument's own practical information states that it is not equipped with access for visitors with reduced mobility.

According to the monument's own site, under-18s enter free, as do 18–25-year-olds who are EU nationals or regular residents of France, and disabled visitors with one companion. Check the monument's website for the full list before you go.

← Back to the guide's home page

Visiting La Conciergerie

Q: How do I get to the Conciergerie?

Métro Cité on line 4 is closest; Châtelet (lines 1, 7, 11, 14) and Saint-Michel (RER B, C) are a short walk across the bridges. Allow extra time for the X-ray bag check at the entrance.

By Marguerite Fontenay · Checked October 2026 · Writes about the Île de la Cité's Revolutionary sites — what's verified fact at the Conciergerie and what's since become legend, and how the rooms behind both actually look today.

Everything worth knowing before you go: what the HistoPad does, when the rooms are quietest, how it pairs with Sainte-Chapelle, and what the building's two lives — palace, then prison — looked like.

See tours and tickets on Viator ↗

Choosing your moment

The monument is open daily apart from three public holidays, and its own website lists the current times. Early morning and late afternoon are the calmest windows, before and after the Île de la Cité's midday crowds.

What the visit actually covers

The route runs from the Salle des Gens d'Armes and the medieval kitchens through the prison galleries and the women's courtyard to the memorial chapel, with the HistoPad tablet layering 3D reconstructions of both eras onto the same stone rooms throughout.

Getting there

Métro Cité (line 4) is the closest stop; Châtelet (lines 1, 7, 11, 14) and Saint-Michel (RER B, C) are a short walk across the bridges. Expect an X-ray bag check at the door.

Pairing it with Sainte-Chapelle

The two monuments are a couple of minutes apart on the Boulevard du Palais, each with its own entrance and security check. There's also a guided tour covering both; each monument's own website covers entry for a self-paced visit.

Thinking about a visit? Every tour and ticket below routes through Viator.

See tours and tickets on Viator ↗