The Colonne de Juillet is topped by the 'Spirit of Liberty' figure, a gilded statue by Auguste Dumont.
The remains of the 1830 and 1848 revolutionaries are interred within the base of the central column.
The stones of the original fortress were repurposed to build the Pont de la Concorde bridge over the Seine.
During the French Revolution, the prison held only seven inmates at the time of its fall.
The Opéra Bastille, designed by Carlos Ott, was inaugurated in 1989 to mark the bicentennial of the French Revolution.
The square’s footprint roughly corresponds to the area once occupied by the four main towers of the Bastille fortress.
The site hosts a significant open-air market twice a week along the Boulevard Richard-Lenoir.
Place de la Bastille serves as a major Parisian hub marking the site of the former Bastille prison, which was stormed on July 14, 1789, igniting the French Revolution. At its center stands the Colonne de Juillet, a bronze monument commemorating the July Revolution of 1830. The square currently functions as a junction for five major thoroughfares and hosts the modern Opéra Bastille. The original prison layout is marked by stone outlines embedded in the ground near the square's perimeter. The site remains a frequent focal point for political demonstrations, public gatherings, and cultural events. The square connects the historic Marais district with the 11th and 12th arrondissements.
From the elevated pedestrian area near the Opéra Bastille looking toward the Colonne de Juillet.
Look for the white pavement stones embedded in the ground, which trace the exact perimeter of the original fortress walls.
Visit the nearby Bassin de l'Arsenal to view boats docked in the canal that flows directly under the square.
Explore the side streets leading into the 11th arrondissement for a high concentration of local restaurants and bars.
Avoid dining at the tourist-heavy cafes directly facing the square, as better culinary options are located just a few blocks away in the side streets.
