National prison museum, Prison museum in Fontainebleau, France.
The National Prison Museum occupies a former detention facility with a radial design where multiple floors held individual cells arranged for oversight. The building contains thousands of documents, photographs, and objects that document more than 200 years of French penal practice.
The building was constructed in the 19th century as a modern detention facility and operated as a working prison for many decades. It experienced German occupation during World War II before eventually becoming a museum dedicated to penal history.
The museum reflects how French society organized punishment and detention across different eras, with displays showing daily life through objects inmates created and used. Visitors encounter personal crafts and everyday items that reveal what confinement meant for those held there.
Access requires advance booking since the building is open only for guided tours with scheduled reservations. Contact the local tourism office to arrange a visit and confirm current opening conditions.
The building features a distinctive radial design that allowed guards to observe all areas from a central vantage point. This architectural system represented an innovative approach to prison management that was considered modern for its time.
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