Bastille, Historic fortress in Paris
The Bastille was a fortress with thick stone walls that stood in eastern Paris as both a military stronghold and state prison. It contained individual cells where important political prisoners were held, making it a symbol of royal power and control.
Built in the 14th century as a defensive structure, it gradually transformed into a prison over the following centuries. In July 1789, the Parisian crowd attacked it, demolished it, and used this event as the starting point for transforming France.
The square bearing its name has become a gathering place where Parisians celebrate freedom and remember the spirit of resistance. Citizens still use it to express their voices during important public moments.
Nothing of the original structure remains on the ground today, only the square and a commemorative column mark the location. The area is easily accessible by metro and surrounded by shops, cafes, and restaurants where visitors can spend time.
After its demolition, stones from the structure were scattered and sold across Europe, so fragments of it now sit in museums and private collections far from Paris. Visitors can see pieces of it displayed in various locations worldwide as reminders of what was destroyed.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
