Palais de Justice
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Palais de Justice was built by the Roman emperors, later substituted by that of the Merovingian-and Carolingiari kings. The Capetians modified it again, especially Saint Louis. He kept there his famous "beds-of-justice", and above all he did an act of piety having the Sainte-Chapelle built near his apartments.
Philip the Fair, considering the palace top small to house his judicial, financial and administrative offices, completed the work of Saint Louis with remarkable enlargements.
The unveiling took place in 1313. Of this sumptuous palace the three round towers of the Conciergerie, the hall of the guards, the kitchens, the hall of the men at arms remain today. This is a typical example of medieval civil architecture, with its 4 high and long aisles. One morning (February 22nd 1357) the future Charles V (then dauphin) saw his ministers slaughtered under his eyes in his chamber by the Parisian rebels. The dauphin left those places a few months later, substituted by Charles VI.
The Valois lived by that time in their palaces of the Marais, the Louvre, Vincennes, the castles of the Loire, and so on, and the Palais de la Cite housed the Parliament, Supreme Court of Justice. The inevitable fires caused the usual damages. But the architectural transformations of the palace date back chiefly to the 19th century.
Since the revolution (and until today) the palace has been used as "Palais de Justice". In 1840 a new wave of restorations begins, which goes on until the beginning of our century. The fire of the Commune, in 1870, decides for the construction of the wing along Quai des Orfevres and of the buildings facing Place Dauphine.
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