Place de la Bastille

The Bastille, built during the 14th century as a fortified royal residence, is probably the most famous monument in Paris that no longer exists; the notorious prison – the quintessential symbol of royal despotism – was demolished by a Revolutionary mob on 14 July 1789 and all seven prisoners were freed. Place de la Bastille in the 11e and 12e, where the prison once stood, is now a very busy traffic roundabout.

In the centre of the square is the 52m-high Colonne de Juillet (July Column), whose shaft of greenish bronze is topped by a gilded and winged figure of Liberty. It was erected in 1833 as a memorial to those killed in the street battles that accompanied the July Revolution of 1830; they are buried in vaults under the column. It was later consecrated as a memorial to the victims of the February Revolution of 1848.