One of the former royal palaces and prisons in Paris, west of the Paris City Hall, depends solely on the Paris Criminal High Court. It is part of the Palais de Justice, a large complex of buildings. During the French Revolution, many prisoners were sent from here to Paris to be guillotined. During the bloodiest stage of the French Revolution, the prison enjoyed an international reputation as a guillotine lobby. There are revolutionary courts, which hold up to 1200 male and female prisoners. Between April 2, 1793 and May 31, 1795, a court in the lobby sent some 2,600 prisoners to the guillotine. Its rules are simple. There are only two outcomes - acquittal or death penalty - in most cases the latter. There's an exhibition of the last queen Marian's cell. It's very crude. The interior is rather gloomy. After reading it, I only think that the French Revolution was not a joke.