Place de las Bastille

The Bastille was originally built over 750 years ago and became a state prison in the 17th century. It primarily housed political prisoners and religious prisoners but also other undesirables and gradually gained a reputation associated with horror and oppression. Then on 14th July 1789 amidst the French revolution the Bastille was stormed and ultimately destroyed. The area previously ocupied by the Bastille is now a large open square with a commemorative column marking the revolution of 1830 and the overthrow of King charles X.