Audio GuidePlace de la Bastille

Place de la Bastille is a historic square in Paris that has evolved from a fortress and prison into a lively hub of modern urban life. Once the site of the Bastille fortress, a medieval stronghold that was taken down during the French Revolution, this location saw dramatic events like the storming of the Bastille and public executions by guillotine. In the aftermath of that revolutionary period, the square hosted a public dance among its ruins in seventeen ninety, setting the stage for the festive spirit of the national celebration on the fourteenth of July.

Bertrand Pierre

Rising above the square, the July Column was built by Louis-Philippe to honor the revolution of eighteen thirty. The square also holds remnants of older structures, including the base of a fountain that was intended to support a grand bronze elephant. Today, Place de la Bastille is a pedestrian-friendly area where street life meets history. It is a vibrant venue for fairs, concerts, roller-skating meetups, and one of the largest annual Pride parades in Paris.

anca Chio