❓Frequently asked questions
What is the history of Place de la Bastille?
Place de la Bastille stands on the site of the former Bastille fortress, built between 1369 and 1380 to defend Paris. Converted into a state prison under Richelieu, it became a symbol of the absolute power of the Ancien Régime before being stormed on 14 July 1789, marking the start of the French Revolution. Demolished between 1789 and 1790, it gave way to a large square that was redesigned several times, until recent works created a one-hectare pedestrian area.
What is the symbol of Place de la Bastille?
The defining symbol of Place de la Bastille is the July Column, which stands proudly in its centre. Inaugurated in 1840, this column, over 50 metres high, commemorates the Three Glorious Days of 1830. It is crowned by a gilded bronze sculpture representing the Genius of Liberty, often called ‘the Angel of the Bastille’, which rotates on its axis at the top of the monument.
Which monument replaced the Bastille?
Following the demolition of the prison, the July Column was erected on its exact site, inaugurated in 1840 during the reign of Louis-Philippe. Napoleon had previously envisaged building an elephant-shaped fountain there, for which a life-size plaster model was even installed on the ground of the square. The Opéra Bastille, opened in 1989, completes this new architectural look of the square.
Where is Place de la Bastille, and in which arrondissement is it located?
Place de la Bastille straddles three arrondissements: the 4th, 11th and 12th. This crossroads location between these three districts makes it a key hub in Paris, easily accessible via the Bastille metro station, served by lines 1, 5 and 8. The two-way cycle paths around the square also make it easy to travel between these arrondissements.
What is there to see at Place de la Bastille?
The square offers several unmissable experiences. The 3D Timescope, installed at the corner of Boulevard Richard Lenoir, allows you to discover the square as it was in 1446. The July Column is open for guided tours at weekends. Just a stone’s throw away, the Arsenal marina connects the Canal Saint-Martin to the Seine. The Opéra Bastille also offers behind-the-scenes tours during the day.
Which metro station for Place de la Bastille?
The Bastille metro station is located right on the square and is the most convenient way to get there. It serves three lines: line 1, line 5 and line 8, offering numerous connections to the rest of Paris.
Several bus routes also serve the area, notably routes 20, 29, 65, 86 and 87, providing access to the square from various parts of the city.
What is there to see in the Bastille neighbourhood?
The historical and cultural heart of the 11th arrondissement, the Bastille neighbourhood is brimming with must-see sites to explore on foot:
- The Opéra Bastille: a masterpiece of modern architecture inaugurated in 1989, this grand opera house stages internationally renowned operas and ballets
- The July Column: standing in the centre of Place de la Bastille, it commemorates the Three Glorious Days of 1830 and houses a national necropolis beneath its plinth
- The Port de l’Arsenal: this peaceful haven by the water connects the Seine to the Canal Saint-Martin. It is the ideal starting point for a stroll along the quays or a river cruise
- The René-Dumont Greenway: built on a former elevated railway line, this tree-lined suspended walkway allows you to cross the entire 12th arrondissement amidst peaceful greenery
- Rue de Lappe and the Passage du Cheval-Blanc: iconic alleyways of the working-class, artisanal Paris of yesteryear, perfect for exploring designers’ studios by day and enjoying the lively bars by night
- The Victor Hugo Museum: situated just a stone’s throw away, on the stunning Place des Vosges in the heart of the Marais, it offers a chance to visit the flat where the writer lived from 1832 to 1848
