THE AUDITORY

Located in the heart of the city, the Auditorium was built in 1561 by François de Guise. It served both as a court and a prison at a time when justice was rather severe. With a guide, you will become aware of the hell that the women and men locked up here experienced: you can see the dungeons of the "bawling" prisoners that were separated from the others as well as their inscriptions on the walls, those of the upper class prisoners, the jailer's apartments, the courtroom and the funeral chamber of Claude de Lorraine. Restored in 1980 with respect for its historical authenticity, this five-storey building has a magnificent roof structure. It is at the same time a historical building, a place of exhibition of popular traditions and a place of living history with 25 scenes of life-size animated reconstructions (in particular the equestrian reconstitution of Jean de Joinville "armed from all points" and the royal entrance of Louis XII), more than 80 costumed characters and remarkable models. Enough to get a precise idea of the rich history of Joinville.