Sainte-Pélagie Prison (original) (raw)

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Prison in Paris used between 1790–1899

Sainte-Pélagie Prison

By Eugène Atget, Sainte-Pélagie prison in 1898, destroyed in May 1899.
Sainte-Pélagie Prison is located in ParisSainte-Pélagie PrisonSainte-Pélagie location in Paris
Location 5th arrondissement of Paris
Coordinates 48°50′33″N 2°21′10″E / 48.842581°N 2.352720°E / 48.842581; 2.352720
Status Demolished
Opened 1790
Closed May 1899
Street address No. 56 Rue de la Clef and Rue du Puits-de-l'Ermite
City Paris
Country France
Notable prisoners
Madame RolandGrace ElliottÉvariste GaloisGustave CourbetMarquis de SadePierre-Jean de BérangerJames SwanZo d'Axa

Sainte-Pélagie was a prison in Paris, in active use from 1790 to 1899. It was founded earlier than that, however, in 1662, as place for "repentant girls" and later "debauched women and girls." The former Parisian prison was located between the current group of buildings bearing No. 56 Rue de la Clef with Rue du Puits-de-l'Ermite in the 5th arrondissement of Paris at the old Place Sainte-Pélagie.

The penal structure held many noted prisoners during the French Revolution, with Madame Roland, Grace Dalrymple Elliott and Marie-Louise O'Murphy being among the known prisoners. After the revolution, the Marquis de Sade was imprisoned here, as was the young mathematician Évariste Galois. During the July Monarchy, the "April insurgees" were also detained there, and some managed to escape through a tunnel. The painter Gustave Courbet was also imprisoned here for his activities in the Paris Commune. He painted a self-portrait titled, Gustave Courbet: Self-Portrait at Sainte-Pélagie.