While in Paris we hit a place we hadn't been to before and that was the Conciergerie where Marie Antoinette was held prior to her execution in 1783. This is a picture of the Palace of Justice on the Ille de la Cite looking west toward toward Pont Neuf. The spire to the left is of La Chapelle which is renowned for its stained glass windows. Notre Dame would be to my rear in the photo if I were to turn around.




As you go into the museum of the Conciergerie (look it up) there are a lot of really realistic displays. If you were Marie, this guy would have met you, taken your street clothes, issued your prison garb, and assigned your cell among the 800 other prisoners in the place ... smelly, dark, foul place 200 years ago.



Here is Marie's cell as it supposedly looked for the 76 days she was held here in the summer of 1783, with her seated to the left.




And then she and 11 others (12 would fit in the cart to the gallows) were taken to this courtyard where she and the others had their goodbyes. And then they were taken to the Place de la Concorde (in front of the Louvre today) to be executed by guillotine. Hundreds each day during that period followed her footsteps.

We had been past the place many times and had eaten lunch across the street at least three times but had not seen the museum. A tragic part of history and a real must see if you are in Paris.