The Bastille, pronounced Bast-ee, is one of the most historically important centers of Paris. Bastille Day, on July 14th, is equivalent to the U.S.A.'s Fourth of July. To make your Paris vacation as fulfilling as it is fun, it is good to know the importance of the places you are visiting. Here's some history on the Bastille:

In the 1780s, the country was nearly bankrupt while the poor were starving and the growing middle class felt powerless next to a corrupt aristocracy which ran the country. On July 14, 1789 a group of Parisians stormed the Bastille prison, releasing seven revolutionaries imprisoned there.

This one act brought about the French Revolution. The aristocracy realized that the will and voice of the people was not to be ignored. In 1880, July 14th was declared a national holiday and it is celebrated with parades and fireworks just like Independence Day.

Visiting The Bastille
Today there is a monument at the Bastille commemorating the uprising. Instead of a prison, the monument is surrounded by shops and restaurants, showing the progress from Paris' tumultuous past. The Bastille is a common destination for a Paris vacation because of its historical importance.

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