For centuries, the Paris skyline included a huge stone fortress: The Bastille. However, during the French Revolution, the meaning of the fortress began to evolve, ultimately leading to its siege and demolition.
Becoming a Prison
Originally, the Bastille was used as a military fortress. By the mid-16th century, however, it became increasingly used as a state prison, especially for political prisoners. As the number of prisoners of the state increased, the Bastille became one of the most secure places to store “threats to the state.” Political writer Voltaire was just one of many French citizens held within the stone walls.
The conditions of the Bastille are largely debated. Some believe that the prisoners within were treated with a fairly high quality of life. Voltaire, for example, was afforded the freedom to continue penning and sending letters and writing during his imprisonment. However, the nature of the Bastille’s concentration of political prisoners and their lack of equality under the law contributed to its image as an arbitrary expression of the monarchy’s power.
The Revolution Begins
During the 18th century, attitudes towards the monarchy were rapidly shifting. By 1789, the dawn of revolution was upon Paris. As the people and monarchy both scrambled to prepare themselves for the impending battle, the Bastille became an early target for the citizens.
On July 14th, a crowd of revolutionaries gathered outside the Bastille. They were demanding the release of all prisoners within and the surrender of the building itself and the arms within. Due to the poor defense of the prison, the crowd was able to force Bernard-René de Launay (the governor of the Bastille) to surrender the fortress. Only seven prisoners were inside at the time, but the symbolic nature of the surrender was a large triumph to propel the beginning of the French Revolution.
Demolition & New Monument
Shortly after the Bastille was captured, revolutionaries demolished the building. The stones of the fortress were used in construction projects across the city as a symbolic statement of the dismantling of tyranny. Some stones were also saved as souvenirs of the occasion. Today, the July Column marks the old location of the Bastille. The column was inaugurated in 1840 as a commemoration of the Revolution of 1830 (a seperate French Revolution). It is located with La Place de la Bastille, which is a bustling square in the center of the city.
Modern Symbolism & Culture
Notable literature has referred to the Bastille throughout the years. Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities” and Victor Hugo’s “Les Misérables” both make reference to the building. Throughout its allusions in literary works, the Bastille’s legacy as a revolutionary symbol has been cemented.
The most obvious cultural impact of the Bastille on modern France is the celebration of Bastille Day on July 14th every year. This Sunday marks the 235th anniversary of the storming and will surely be a reason for celebration in Paris, as the city gears up for the Summer Olympics in a few weeks and reflects on the recent elections. Bastille Day, or La Fête Nationale, is a symbol of liberty across France.
Beyond France, the storming of the Bastille and the French Revolution at large both contributed to the global political landscape. Inspiring revolutions such as the Haitian Revolution, the French Revolution was a critical turning point in the tapestry of world history.
As France becomes a center of global attention, Bastille Day remains an important reminder of the history of the nation and it reinforces the importance of liberty and equality.
Written by Kaleb Houle-Lawrence
University Intern
Comments