The Bastille, Paris
Address: Place de la Bastille, rue Saint-Antoine & boulevard Henri IV; Square Henri Galli, boulevard Henri IV
Arrondissement: 4th
About the Bastille
The Bastille, best known for its prison heydays, has a fascinating history. First known as the Bastion de Saint-Antoine during the Hundred Years’ War, it was a built as the rue Saint-Antoine gate. Shortly thereafter, it was built up as a fortress to defend the east end of the city and the Hotel Saint-Pol royal palace. When the war came to an end and the fortress was no longer needed as such, it was deemed a state prison. King Louis XIII used it to his full advantage and the prison became known as a symbol of royal power and quickly became loathed and hated by the locals of Paris.
The structure was enormous with 8 towers, surrounded by a giant moat. The hugeness of the Bastille didn’t stop that fateful day now known and celebrated as Bastille Day. On July 14, 1789, a confrontation between the Bastille’s regime and some locals led to the storming of the prison. Around noon, a large crowd, estimated at around 1,000, congregated and demanded the prison surrender and remove all of its arms and powder. Two Parisian citizens were nominated as negotiators and invited into the prison. By late afternoon nothing had been done so the draw bridges chains were cut and the Bastille was stormed. The citizens freed the prisoners and eventually beheaded the prison guards and reigning governor.
Just days after the surrender, the mighty Bastille was demolished. Today there are few remnants of the structure. Some blocks of the Liberty Tower were discovered while line 1 of the metro was being excavated in 1899. These remains are on display in Square Henri Galli, about 500 yards from the original location. On the platform for tube station line 5, the Pantin station, there is a small exhibit of some original stones of the old fortress. The original location, at the intersection of Boulevard Henry IV and rue Saint Antoine – better known as Place de la Bastille – is marked off by colored stones which show off the outline of the old walls on the street surface.
The old moat is part of the Porte de Plaisance de Paris-Arsenal marina and Canal Saint-Martin, which houses over 200 slips for river and pleasure boats. The canal starts on the Seine and goes underground for several miles. Tourists looking for more on the ancient Bastille can take a narrated cruise along the Canal Saint-Martin and pass under the old foundation of the fortress.
Getting to the Bastille
You can get to the remains of the prison by getting off at the Bastille station which lies beneath Place de la Bastille. Lines 1, 5 and 8 run through this station.
Here is a short guide to hotels near the Bastille, Paris.
At 44 Boulevard Richard Lenoir, the Aux Trois Portes is surrounded by locations at the center of the city including the Bastille prison remains, the Marais district which is bustling with life both day and night and the Montmarte which offers spectacular views.
Located a quarter mile from the Bastille, two star Aux Trois Portes is nearest the Breguet Sabin station. Rooms start at 37.33EUR per night.
Located at 5 rue Castex, the Castex Hotel has been completely done over in a XVII century style. It reflects the Golden Age of the Marais district with a vaulted stone cellar, Toile wallpaper, tomette flour tiles and Louis XIII furnishings. There is free internet, WIFI and computer usage for guests as well as taxi, theatre, show and restaurant booking. The three star Castex Hotel is less than a mile from the Bastille. Rates start at 100EUR per night.
Located at 6 eue des Archives, the Villa Mazarin has a discrete entry way which reflects the tone of the hotel. It offers safety and comfort all in one. It exudes a certain ambience with its lantern light halls and beautifully colored walls. It is right near the famous “Bazaar” shopping place as well as many other boutiques, restaurants and bars in the Marais district. This three star stay is just a little under a mile away from the Bastille’s remains and near Hotel de Ville metro line. Rates start at 154EUR per night.
Photo of the Bastille courtesy of Martin M.
