Conciergerie
It’s my understanding that The Conciergerie (the building below) used to be the royal palace. It’s right down the street from Notre Dame. They’re both on the same island in the Seine River. Now I think it’s more as a courthouse. It was turned into a prison during the French Revolution (Reign of Terror).
Saint Chapelle is housed in the Concierge. Back when it was created (1200s I think) the Concierge was a royal palace. Thousands of people got death sentences within a short period of time in that courthouse… Marie Antoinette for example!
Saint Chapelle
Saint Chapelle has a GREAT story about how it was built to house the actual Crown of Thorns (biblical). I think it was built in the 1200s (yes, 500 years before the USA)! The king who created it spent much of his time fighting in the Crusades . I think he eventually died fighting in those wars. He was highly regarded by his people.
Heading Home For The Day
I particularly like this Metro stop. Some of them have a great steampunk feel about them.
