Prefecture de Police
Prefecture de Police
3.5
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Neighbourhood: Ile de la Cité
Two islands sit in the middle of the Seine at the very heart of Paris. The more majestic one, Ile de la Cité, sparkles with history. This is the birthplace of Paris, the home of the Gothic Sainte-Chapelle, and the site of the prison where Marie Antoinette was held before her execution. Tourists flock to see the iconic Notre Dame and the beautiful bridges that straddle the Seine. Ile Saint-Louis, the more provincial island, welcomes you with cozy traditional eateries, small boutiques, and what some people say is the best ice cream in the city. This is essential Paris from its very beginnings to its modern appeal.
How to get there
- Cité • 2 min walk
- St-Michel – Notre-Dame • 3 min walk
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3.5
45 reviews
Excellent
8
Very good
19
Average
14
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Karen V
Tampa, FL3,162 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
The Paris Uprising began at this very spot during Word War II. The Paris police force, firefighters, and other public servants fought to take back the Prefecture de Police from the Germans. It all ended in the liberation of Paris on 25 August 1944 with the help of the Allied Resistance. This is also where General Von Choltitz signed the papers after surrendering to General Leclerc and the Resistance. The Prefecture de Police website has a link to this historical period as they will be celebrating their 70th anniversary this year.
The plaque to the right of the entrance of the Police headquarters was commissioned by President Mitterand on 19 August 1994 to mark the 50th anniversary of the freeing of the Prefecture de Police. You can still see some of the bullet holes in the wall at the entrance of the building. Our guide told us the story as we were on our way to St. Michel after visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral. The Police Headquarters is located near the entrance to the Cité Metro Station. It's a World War II landmark that we just couldn't miss.
The plaque to the right of the entrance of the Police headquarters was commissioned by President Mitterand on 19 August 1994 to mark the 50th anniversary of the freeing of the Prefecture de Police. You can still see some of the bullet holes in the wall at the entrance of the building. Our guide told us the story as we were on our way to St. Michel after visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral. The Police Headquarters is located near the entrance to the Cité Metro Station. It's a World War II landmark that we just couldn't miss.
Written 4 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JnVSydney
Greater Sydney, Australia21,246 contributions
Jan 2020
Located on island of Ile de Cite, is this huge building (built in the Neo Florentine style), which was part of Baron Haussmann’s grand plan, for the city. We especially liked the sculpture on the right hand side of the entrance.
Written 24 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel A
Beijing, China35,130 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
We had just visited Sainte-Chaplle and were headed to Notre Dame Cathedral and walked past this enormous building. We rested a bit in the shade as it was hot and so I did a quick search about this building and found out that this is the place where there was an uprising in WWII. I wanted to go inside but found out it is closed to the public. That’s a shame but rules are rules but the building sure is nice. I wish we had gone at night as it is all lit up. Next time huh?
Written 28 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil K
Liverpool, UK829,468 contributions
Jun 2023 • Friends
Walking around this part of the city I passed Prefecture De Police ,a wonderful building that although not open to the public in General is a great building to view.
Of historical importance ,during World War Two an uprising against the Axis forces took place from here and the surrounding area ,the building is beautiful ,there's some interesting monuments on the facade ,it's a building that adds to the joy of visiting Île De La Cité and easy to locate along Rue De Lutece / Place Louis Lepine.
Well worth checking out if you're in the area.
Of historical importance ,during World War Two an uprising against the Axis forces took place from here and the surrounding area ,the building is beautiful ,there's some interesting monuments on the facade ,it's a building that adds to the joy of visiting Île De La Cité and easy to locate along Rue De Lutece / Place Louis Lepine.
Well worth checking out if you're in the area.
Written 12 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,696 contributions
Sept 2022
This is an attractive an historic building in a lovely part of Paris. A bit of a surprise because of the design and very pleasant.
Written 25 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,696 contributions
Jun 2022
One of the huge municipal buildings that dominate the Ile de la Cite. It is fairly modern, compared to some other features of the island. It's a police station.
Written 4 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LostInTime
Pittsburgh, PA22,731 contributions
Apr 2019 • Business
The building is large and quite interesting. I liked the history and seeing the holes from the battle in WW2. Its near Notre Dame.
Written 8 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KDobi
Birmingham, AL75 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
You at least need to see the bullet holes left from WWII. Our tour guide pointed it out. I want to go back and do a WWII tour of the city....then an American Revolution tour...then a...
Written 26 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sipivu
Paris, France2,036 contributions
May 2015 • Solo
The Prefecture de Paris is located in the Ile de la Cité in a neo-Florentine building designed by an architect called Pierre-Victor Calliat in the 1860s. It was initiated by Baron Haussmann to be the home of the Prefecture de Paris.
The building has recently been renovated and now benefits from beautiful lighting at night.
The building has recently been renovated and now benefits from beautiful lighting at night.
Written 8 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jolyon67
Melbourne, Australia5,672 contributions
Jan 2015 • Friends
Île de la Cité has a concentration of monumentally stunning buildings. This is one of the few which is closed to the general public, but you will pass it on your way between Sainte Chapelle and Notre Dame. It dominates an entire block and is beautifully floodlit at night.
By the main entrance is a recently added plaque which marks the 50th anniversary of the Paris Uprising. You can also see damage from WW2 gunfire just to the right of the main door.
Don't get this place confused with the museum Prefecture de Police de Paris, which is located in a small building further south towards the Pantheon.
By the main entrance is a recently added plaque which marks the 50th anniversary of the Paris Uprising. You can also see damage from WW2 gunfire just to the right of the main door.
Don't get this place confused with the museum Prefecture de Police de Paris, which is located in a small building further south towards the Pantheon.
Written 23 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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