Grand Châtelet

The Grand Châtelet was a significant fortress and judicial center in Ancien Régime Paris, located on the right bank of the Seine at what is now the Place du Châtelet. Originally built in 870, it evolved into a stone stronghold by Louis VI in 1130. It served as the headquarters for the prévôt de Paris, overseeing royal justice and administration, and was notorious for its prisons, which housed many infamous criminals. The Châtelet was rebuilt multiple times, most notably by Louis XIV, before being demolished between 1802 and 1810. Today, the site is a bustling square, reflecting its historical significance in the heart of Paris.