Maison Coignard

The Maison Coignard, originally a community of canonesses founded in 1640, became a prison hospital during the French Revolution, specifically for wealthy prisoners during the Reign of Terror. Established in 1793 by Eugène Coignard, it offered a more comfortable confinement for those who could afford it, with notable inmates including the infamous Marquis de Sade. The site also has a somber history, as the former convent gardens were used for burials of executed prisoners, leading to the creation of Picpus Cemetery. Today, a new community of canonesses continues to honor the memory of those who suffered during this tumultuous period.