Bloodlines and Blades: A Story of Women During the Terror

Are you ready to explore the lesser-known history of Paris? Join us for a story of women separated in life and reunited in death—a tale of terror and gore, and a glimpse into the Paris inconnu! Our exploration takes place in and around Place de la Nation in the 12th Arrondissement.

The summer of 1794 was a busy one for “The National Razor,” that most efficient and lethal innovation in capital punishment: the guillotine. As the bloody tide of the French Revolution peaked and receded, it took with it the lives of three noble women—grandmother, mother, and daughter—whose final hours we will follow from prison cell to guillotine, to the common grave where their bodies were laid to rest. Along the way, we’ll uncover why this period of the Revolution was so violent, and discover a fascinating connection between the Marquis de LaFayette, these women, and Paris’s largest private cemetery.

This tour will last approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. It is wheelchair accessible, though the ground is uneven in places, and we will be walking over gravel as well as packed dirt.

The tour can be adapted to suit the needs of blind or low-vision attendees, with additional time devoted to describing the settings we will explore.

Cost is 15€, payable in cash (preferred) or via PayPal.

Please communicate your accessibility needs to **parisdescribed@gmail.com**.