Paris Flashcards 2

What is La Conciergerie?

La Conciergerie is an ancient royal palace, formerly the residence of the kings of France in the 10th to 14th centuries, located on the Ile de la Cité in the 1er arrondissement.

What role did La Conciergerie play during the French Revolution?

During the French Revolution, La Conciergerie was the main prison, holding prisoners before their heads were chopped off.

Who were some famous prisoners at La Conciergerie?

Famous prisoners at La Conciergerie included Marie Antoinette and Charlotte O'day (also noted as Charlotte Corday).

What was La Conciergerie's function as a holding place?

La Conciergerie was the final holding place—less of a prison and more of a chamber for those already sentenced to death.

What is La Conciergerie now?

La Conciergerie is now a museum.

What architectural style and features are showcased at La Conciergerie today?

Gothic architecture and artifacts are showcased at La Conciergerie now.

What is the "Room of Names" at La Conciergerie?

The "Room of Names" is a room filled with names of prisoners who visited the Conciergerie before being sent to court.

What is built on the site of Marie Antoinette's dungeon at La Conciergerie?

Built on the site of Marie Antoinette's dungeon to show the rejection of the monarchy.

What other historical function did La Conciergerie serve?

Formerly a courthouse as well, so the prisoners were tried and held in the same place.

When was La Conciergerie converted into a prison?

La Conciergerie was converted into a prison in 1370.

What specific event involving Marie Antoinette happened at La Conciergerie?

This is where the queen Marie-Antoinette was imprisoned in 1793 before her death.

Where is Sainte-Chapelle located?

Sainte-Chapelle is located on the Ile de la Cité, next door to the Conciergerie.

What architectural style is Sainte-Chapelle?

Sainte-Chapelle is Gothic architecture.

What is Sainte-Chapelle known for?

Sainte-Chapelle is known for its magnificent stained glass windows and for the relics that it contains, such as relics of Christ acquired during the Middle Ages (e.g., the Crown of Thorns).

What happened to the Crown of Thorns after the French Revolution?

The Crown of Thorns was moved to Notre Dame after the French Revolution.

Is the architect of Sainte-Chapelle known?

The architect of the Sainte-Chapelle is unknown due to detailed records being lost.

How much glass is in the upper chapel of Sainte-Chapelle?

The upper chapel is made of 618 m2 of glass. An wonderful combination of lightness and balance.

When were the chapels of Sainte-Chapelle restored?

These chapels were completely restored in the 19th century. The decoration of the upper chapel is based on descriptions and drawings of the original buildings, but the lower chapel was entirely "reinvented" for lack of documentation.

How were the relics shown at Sainte-Chapelle?

From the altar, Saint-Louis showed the relics to the Parisians every year on Good Friday.

What is unique about the rose window in Sainte-Chapelle?

The rose window does not date from the 13th century as the stained glass, but from the 15th century. It has 87 petals.

Who built Sainte-Chapelle and why?

King Louis IX built the Sainte-Chapelle in the heart of his royal palace on the Ile de la Cité to house the relics he bought from Emperor Baudouin II of Constantinople, who had pawned these relics to a Venetian bank.

What relics were originally in Sainte-Chapelle?

Originally, relics of Christ: a fragment of the cross, a nail, and the crown of thorns. They are now part of the Notre-Dame de Paris treasure. The Sainte-Chapelle no longer houses these relics.

How much did the Crown of Thorns cost?

The crown of thorns was bought 135,000 livres tournois, which is about half of the annual income of the royal domain.

How much did the construction of Sainte-Chapelle cost?

The construction of the Sainte-Chapelle cost about 40,000 livres tournois, three times less than the crown of thorns.

How is Sainte-Chapelle structured?

The Sainte Chapelle is made of two different chapels: the lower chapel, originally dedicated to the officers, and the upper chapel, dedicated to the king and his family.

What is L'Axe Historique?

L'Axe Historique is a line of monuments, buildings and thoroughfares that extends from the center of Paris, France, to the west. Also known as the "Voie Triomphale".

Where does L'Axe Historique begin?

Begins at the statue of Louis XIV riding a horse at the Louvre.

In which arrondissement does L'Axe Historique start?

1er arrondissement.