Place de la Bastille

Place de la Bastille

Place de la Bastille is a square in the French capital of Paris. It was formerly the site of the Bastille prison, which was stormed during the French Revolution. Between July 14, 1789, and July 14, 1790, the prison was completely demolished, leaving no trace.

The square spans three arrondissements of Paris: the 4th, 11th, and 12th. The square and its surrounding area are commonly referred to as "La Bastille." Roads that intersect at Place de la Bastille include Rue Saint-Antoine, Boulevard Henri IV, Rue de Lyon, Boulevard Richard-Lenoir, and Boulevard Beaumarchais. At the center of the square stands the July Column (Colonne de Juillet), built between 1833 and 1840 under King Louis-Philippe I to commemorate the July Revolution of 1830. Other notable features include the Opéra Bastille, the Bastille metro station, and a section of the Canal Saint-Martin. Before 1984, the site of the opera house was home to the Gare de la Bastille railway station.

The square frequently hosts concerts and similar events. The northeastern part of La Bastille boasts numerous cafés, bars, nightclubs, and music venues, making it a lively hub for nightlife and social gatherings. Due to its significant historical importance, the square has also been a common site for political events, including the large-scale French labor protests on March 28, 2006.

Place de la Bastille

Must-visit reason: One of Paris’s most iconic squares

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/region where the attraction is located: France[France]

Province/state where the attraction is located: Île-de-France Region [Ile-de-France Region]

City where the attraction is located: Paris [Paris]