Enguerrand de Marigny being hanged illustration from Chroniques de France

Gibbet Of Montfaucon

Gibbet of Montfaucon Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Paris Historical Sites Guide

Date: 03/07/2025

Introduction: The Gibbet of Montfaucon and Its Historical Significance

The Gibbet of Montfaucon, or Gibet de Montfaucon in French, is one of Paris’s most haunting historical sites—a physical and psychological reminder of medieval justice and royal authority. Built in the late 13th century under King Louis IX and expanded by King Charles IV, this monumental stone gallows stood just outside Paris’s medieval walls, near today’s 19th arrondissement. Unlike ordinary wooden scaffolds, the Gibbet of Montfaucon was a permanent, multi-tiered stone edifice capable of displaying up to fifty executed criminals at once, serving as a powerful deterrent and a stark symbol of royal power (Paris Uncovered; Atlas Obscura).

Throughout its five-century existence, the gibbet became deeply embedded in French cultural memory, influencing literature and art—most notably François Villon’s “Ballade des pendus” and Victor Hugo’s Notre-Dame de Paris. Dismantled in the 18th century, the site was later transformed into Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, now one of Paris’s largest and most scenic parks (Discover Walks; Pariste.net).

Today, while the original structure no longer stands, visitors can explore the legacy of the Gibbet of Montfaucon through commemorative plaques, guided tours, and nearby museums. This guide provides a detailed overview of the gibbet’s history, practical information for visitors, and highlights of nearby attractions to enrich your exploration of Paris’s medieval past (Stew Ross; History Today).

Enguerrand de Marigny being executed by hanging on public gallows at Montfaucon Paris

Illuminated manuscript detail from Grandes Chroniques de France by Jean Fouquet

Detailed illustration of four-pronged fork

Montfaucon gallows structure viewed from the arrival side facing southwest with the platform and masonry massif, including the cross of Guillaume de Tigouville at the bottom

Historical woodcut illustration of gallows with four forks at Montfaucon

19th century ink drawing of Montfaucon gibbet in old Paris by François Alexandre Pernot

19th century drawing of Montfaucon gibbet in old Paris by François Alexandre Pernot

Martyrdom of Saint Catherine with Montfaucon gibbet, Temple church and tower in background

Painting depicting the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre with key locations like the church of the Grands-Augustins, the Seine, Louvre, and figures such as Catherine de Médicis and Charles IX

19th century black ink drawing of Le Gibet de Montfaucon gallows in old Paris by François Alexandre Pernot

Medieval illustration of Gibet de Montfaucon with Saint Laurent church and Old Pestifer House at Saint-Louis hospital site

Illustration of Montfaucon gibbet with two levels of beams

Execution of Pierre de la Brosse from Chroniques de France ou de St Denis manuscript showing his capture and hanging

Historical map of Montfaucon area near Paris, France before 1840 with 1840 street layouts

Illustration from Grandes Chroniques de France showing the burning of Amalrician heretics before King Philip II of France with the Gibbet of Montfaucon and Grosse Tour of the Temple fortress in the background

Map of Paris around 1550 known as Plan de Saint-Victor

19th century drawing of Montfaucon by François Alexandre Pernot using black ink on tracing paper

Introduction
Origins and Construction
Medieval Function and Use
The Site Today: Hours, Tickets & Accessibility
Nearby Attractions & Special Events
Transformation into Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
Visiting Parc des Buttes-Chaumont: Hours, Tickets & Access
Key Features and Attractions
Visitor Experience & Practical Tips
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Conclusion & Call to Action
References

Origins and Construction

Commissioned under King Louis IX in the late 13th century and expanded by King Charles IV in 1326, the Gibbet of Montfaucon was sited on a hill just outside the city walls—now near Place du Colonel Fabien in the 19th arrondissement (Paris Uncovered). Unlike temporary wooden scaffolds, this was a massive, permanent stone structure. Reconstructions describe a three-tiered polygonal platform, about 16 meters high and supported by sixteen pillars, with wooden beams and iron hooks for displaying the bodies of the executed (Atlas Obscura). It could hold up to fifty bodies, making it the era’s most prominent execution site in France.

Function and Use in Medieval and Early Modern Paris

From the 14th to the late 18th century, the Gibbet of Montfaucon served as the official execution and display site for the monarchy and the Parlement of Paris. While primarily used for hangings, it also displayed victims executed by other means—beheading or burning. The public display of bodies was intended as both punishment and deterrent for crimes such as murder, theft, heresy, and treason (History Today).

The Gibbet Site Today: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Accessibility

The physical gibbet no longer exists, but its legacy is commemorated and the site remains accessible.

Location: Near Place du Colonel Fabien (Metro Line 2) and 53, rue de la Grange aux Belles in the 10th arrondissement (Stew Ross).
Visiting Hours: The site is on a public street and accessible 24/7, with no gates or restrictions.
Tickets: Access to the site is free of charge; no ticket is required.
Accessibility: The area is wheelchair accessible; museums nearby also comply with accessibility standards.
Travel Tips: The area is easy to reach by Metro; the site itself is unmarked, so it is best visited with a guide or after reviewing historical maps and images.

Nearby Attractions & Special Events

Combine your visit with nearby historical sites such as Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, the Canal de l’Ourcq, the Bastille area, or the Musée Carnavalet. Occasionally, local medieval-themed events or fairs take place in the 19th arrondissement, providing immersive experiences of Paris’s past.

Transformation: From Gallows to Green Oasis

After the gibbet was dismantled in the 18th century, the area fell into disrepair—serving as a quarry and dumping ground. In the mid-19th century, Napoleon III and Baron Haussmann transformed it into Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, a dramatic urban park inaugurated in 1867 (Pariste.net). Explosives were used to sculpt the terrain, lakes and cliffs were created, and the park became a lush retreat for Parisians.

Visiting Parc des Buttes-Chaumont: Hours, Tickets & Access

Opening Hours: Daily from 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM (check for seasonal variations).
Tickets: Free entry (Pariste.net).
Access: 1 Rue de Botzaris, 75019 Paris. Metro Line 7bis (Botzaris station) is closest.

Key Features and Attractions

Temple de la Sibylle: A neo-Greek folly atop a limestone cliff, inspired by Tivoli’s Temple of Vesta, offering panoramic views of Paris (Discover Walks).
Suspension Bridge: Designed by Gustave Eiffel, this 63-meter bridge is a park highlight.
Waterfall and Grotto: A 32-meter man-made waterfall plunges into a romantic grotto beneath cliffs.
La Petite Ceinture & Rosa Bonheur: Remnants of a 19th-century railway and a popular guinguette for food, music, and community events (Discover Walks).

Visitor Experience & Practical Tips

Exploring: The park’s rugged, hilly terrain offers stunning views; wear comfortable shoes and take care on steep paths.
Amenities: Cafés, playgrounds, lawns for picnics, and pétanque areas are available. Family-friendly and ideal for joggers and walkers (Pariste.net).
Nearby Points of Interest: Rue de Mouzaïa, Belleville Park, Edith Piaf’s birthplace, and the Canal de l’Ourcq.
Safety: Generally safe, but exercise caution near cliffs and bridges, especially with children or in bad weather (The Not So Innocents Abroad).
Etiquette: Clean up after picnics; alcohol is permitted in moderation at venues like Rosa Bonheur.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I visit the original Gibbet of Montfaucon?
A: The original structure is gone, but the site is accessible and commemorated near Place du Colonel Fabien and Parc des Buttes-Chaumont.

Q: Do I need a ticket to visit?
A: No, both the site and Parc des Buttes-Chaumont are free to enter.

Q: Is the park accessible for wheelchairs?
A: There are paved paths, though some steep areas may be challenging.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, several walking tours of medieval Paris include the Gibbet of Montfaucon.

Q: What else should I see nearby?
A: Explore Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, the Canal de l’Ourcq, Belleville, and the Musée Carnavalet.

Conclusion & Call to Action

The Gibbet of Montfaucon’s story is an integral part of Paris’s complex history—from a notorious site of medieval executions to a peaceful urban park. Visiting the site and its surroundings offers a rare perspective on the evolution of justice, memory, and urban life in Paris. Enhance your experience by joining a guided tour or using digital resources like the Audiala app for interactive audio guides and maps.

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