Ruins of the Bastille

Ruins of the Bastille

Introduction The term "Bastille" originally means "fortress" in French. This ancient fortress covered an area of 2,670 square meters and had eight towering and sturdy bastions, surrounded by tall, thick stone walls and a wide moat 24 meters across, with a drawbridge for access.

The fortress was initially built as a defensive structure to resist British invasions. During the reign of Louis XI, it was converted into a state prison, becoming the largest prison in Paris. On July 14, 1789, the Parisian people rose up in rebellion and stormed the Bastille on the 14th, marking the beginning of the French Revolution. In 1791, the Bastille was completely demolished, and the bricks were used to pave bridges. The former site of the prison became the Place de la Bastille. To find remnants, one must go underground — two foundation stones can still be seen at the bottom level of the metro station.

In 1830, the Parisians erected a monument to the martyrs of the July Revolution in the center of the square. This 52-meter-tall monument is a bronze cylindrical column, known as the "July Column." At its top stands a golden-winged statue of Liberty holding a torch aloft in her right hand and broken chains in her left, symbolizing freedom. A sign stands in front of the prison ruins, reading: "Let everyone dance here!"

In 1880, France designated July 14—the day the Parisian people stormed the Bastille—as France’s National Day.

History and Legends: During France’s feudal monarchy, there was a system where nobles and secret police could arrest anyone and imprison them using "lettres de cachet" (secret warrants) signed by the king. These warrants were often blank, requiring only the name of the intended prisoner to be filled in. During the reign of Louis XIV, such warrants were often handed out as favors. The Bastille was filled with innocent prisoners who were arrested without explanation, never tried, and given no definite sentence. This situation eased somewhat during the reign of Louis XV, when the Bastille increasingly held petty criminals serving short sentences, but the lettre de cachet system remained. French Enlightenment thinker Voltaire was imprisoned here twice.

Literary works such as Les Misérables, A Tale of Two Cities, and Quatrevingt-treize depict the tragic fate of Bastille prisoners.

Interestingly, modern Parisians don’t just dance here — the Place de la Bastille is also a favorite gathering spot for protesters and demonstrators. This further illustrates that the "Storming of the Bastille" remains a symbol of the pursuit of freedom and democracy in the hearts of the French. Nowadays, demonstrations are generally peaceful and even have a relaxed atmosphere, so visitors need not be alarmed if they encounter one. Transport: Bastille Station on Metro Lines 1, 5, and RER Line B.

■ Paris, France