Bastille Day in France. National holiday of the French Republic - Bastille Day

Bastille Day is a national holiday in France. This day is also called "National Day" or simply " the 14 th of July» by the date of its holding. The holiday became official back in 1880 and since then has been celebrated every year in France on a grand scale. On this day, there is a traditional military parade on the Champs-Elysees, a Grand Ball, the adoption of the holiday by the President of France, mass celebrations, widespread parties and festive events, as well as a large fireworks display. On July 14, France celebrates a day that is a symbol of freedom.

The Bastille Day holiday is dedicated to one of the most important events in the history of France. In 1789, at the very beginning of the Great French War, the rebels of the city stormed the Bastille prison, which was considered a real fortress. The fortress, which later became a prison, was founded on April 22, 1370. "Bastille" (fortification) was designed to protect the capital of France from the British, who regularly raided Paris. Construction of the fortress lasted almost two hundred years. The Bastille building was a quadrangular building consisting of eight thirty-meter towers connected to each other by a wall. A ditch 25 meters wide and 8 meters deep was laid around the fortress. Around the fortress and moat was also built additional wall. In terms of its power, the fortress was practically impregnable and was considered one of the most formidable in the whole world.

In the 16th century, the fortress lost its original purpose and became a prison for those disliked by the authorities, as they would say now - for political prisoners. From that time on, the fortress began to symbolize the defense of Paris, and tyranny, despotism and absolutism of power. For the residents of Paris, the Bastille was truly hated, because it often did not contain real criminals, but only those who did not like the king and his entourage. During the uprising, the fortress was stormed and the prisoners were released. This happened on July 14, 1789. After the capture, more than 800 workers in within three For years they dismantled the fortress-prison until absolutely nothing remained of it. On the site of the Bastille a sign was erected: “From now on, people dance here.” Today, the Place de la Bastille is located here, and in the center stands the July Column, which was erected in honor of the victims of the events of the Great French Revolution.

Since 1880, this day has been considered a symbol of liberation from despotism and the overthrow of the French monarchy. In 1789, the people of Paris besieged and stormed the Bastille fortress, freeing seven prisoners and sparking the French Revolution.

Celebrations on July 14th in France are larger than any other celebrations, including New Year. And if this year you most likely will not have time to see the festive events, then in the future you should definitely go to France for this.

Here are 5 reasons why you should join this enchanting event.

Balls

On the eve of Bastille Day, balls are held in Paris. For example, on July 13, French firefighters celebrate their professional holiday. Anyone can come to the Firemen's Ball at the barracks and have fun with professional fire fighters until the morning.

The so-called Grand Ball also takes place in the Tuileries Gardens.

Ceremonial military parade

Every year the military parade on the Champs-Élysées has a different theme. Thus, the theme of the Bastille Day parades of past years was Africa, foreign French territories, anniversaries of the French Air Force and Signal Corps, the Army in a changing world, as well as the anniversary of the creation of the famous Marseillaise and the world-famous motto “Freedom. Equality. Brotherhood".

The military parade is traditionally attended by French air forces, foot units with dogs and horse regiments, convoys and motorcyclists. Fire crews who celebrated their professional holiday on the eve of July 14th can also participate.

Beaches

At this time, on the banks of the Seine, sandy beaches with sun loungers and umbrellas are being set up, courts for beach volleyball are being prepared, and all kinds of entertainment are being organized for adults and children.

Free entertainment and sales

During Bastille Day celebrations in France, most museums open their doors to visitors for free.

You can also attend a free performance at the Paris Opera, visit various exhibitions and concerts, again completely free.

You can go for a walk along the Seine and get a free massage!

And it’s still July. This month you can buy items from famous brands, including luxury ones, with huge discounts.

Festive salute and fireworks

Traditionally in honor of Bastille Day, opposite Eiffel Tower and on the Champ de Mars there is a grand fireworks display and salute. To watch it, spectators gather at specially equipped viewing platforms.

There are several options for getting comfortable and enjoying the extraordinary pyrotechnic spectacle. For example, cafe terraces, a platform near the Eiffel Tower and restaurants on the tower itself. The latter option, however, is not liked by all tourists, since during the fireworks it is impossible to see the Eiffel structure itself, which is directly involved in the celebration.

The fireworks are also clearly visible from Belleville Park and the Champ de Mars or from the Seine embankment and steamboats plying along the shore. Tourists who are especially romantic can be advised to watch the festive fireworks from the roofs of houses, for example, from the observation deck equipped on the 56th floor of the Montparnasse building or from the roof of the Sacré-Coeur cathedral in Montmartre.

After the fireworks holiday parties continue in all cafes, bars and restaurants in the country. Enchanting folk festivities do not stop until the morning. Tourists from all over the world strive to plunge into the atmosphere of patriotism and national unity.

But do not forget that July is high season in France, so hotel rooms may not be available at the last minute. However, the celebrations are so fun and varied that no one will want to stay at the hotel.

Celebrate and be amazed!

The Bastille celebration is a very large-scale event in France. Like New Year in Russia, when the whole country is immersed in a festive atmosphere for several days, and everyone feels involved in this event. This celebration lasts for several days. This is a great reason to go to France. And if you have already arrivedlive in France for permanent residence,then surely the Bastille holiday will very quickly become your favorite holiday.

Historical origin of the holiday

As the name suggests, the holiday was established due to the capture of the famous Bastille prison by the rebels - an analogue Peter and Paul Fortress in St. Petersburg, where political prisoners were once held. There were only seven prisoners in the Bastille at the time, but the fact that they were released in 1789 was seen as a symbol of the end of royal despotism. A year later, the Bastille was destroyed. Its end meant both the end of absolutism and the beginning of a new free life for the French people. From the day of the storming of the Bastille, a revolution began in France, which led to the overthrow of the monarchy, the execution of the king and - the irony of fate! - the accession to the throne of Emperor Napoleon, raised to power by this very revolution. Bastille Day is comparable to the Russian, or rather Soviet, day of the October Revolution. However, the French still celebrate this holiday, not strongly tying it to specific historical and revolutionary events, which, to be honest, always have two sides and are associated with many victims. Bastille Day in France is celebrated precisely as the day of freedom and independence of the French people. A day that reminds us that tyranny is over, that now and always everyone who was born in France or came live in France for permanent residence, has its own human dignity, its own rights and freedoms, which no one can infringe on. Therefore, for the French, who value their dignity and independence, this is truly a holiday of holidays and a wonderful reason to relax and rejoice. In its internal meaning, this holiday is more similar to Russian Independence Day.

On Bastille Day in Paris, and in other cities, there is always something to see and is held a large number of events that true Frenchmen never get tired of, although they attend them every year. Well, for those who have just arrived, it will be even more interesting to look at all this and feel the truly French atmosphere that permeates this wonderful holiday.

Ball in the Tuilliries Garden

The Feast of the Bastille begins to be celebrated the day before, namely on July 13th. On this day, the famous ball takes place in Tuillirie Park. Usually not even a ball, but a whole complex of balls that differ from each other in music and dance style, so that you can find those dances and music that were in fashion in the very year of the Bastille, and later ones, and completely modern options. Those who know how to dance classical and modern dances should definitely go to such a ball. And those who do not can enjoy this event as spectators. This preparatory stage It is also a favorite holiday for many people and brings a lot of positive impressions and emotions.

Parade on the Champs Elysees

This is the most solemn part of the event, and it begins on July 14, that is, directly on the day of the storming of the Bastille. In terms of its significance, scope and content, this parade is most similar to the Victory Parade in Moscow on May 9. From the very morning, the military on the Champs Elysees line up and prepare for the solemn procession. At 9 o'clock everything is ready for the parade and it begins. At 10.15, the military greets the president of the country, after which a procession begins, which ends by noon. This is very spectacular, usually such a parade is broadcast on all French television channels, and in other cities they try to organize something equally spectacular, even on a smaller scale. One way or another, Bastille Day has long become a kind of day of triumph for France and French self-awareness, French values. Therefore, almost all Parisians try to take part in such a parade or in watching it. Moreover, on this day everyone is free and not busy with work, because in France Bastille Day is an official day off for everyone, just like Sunday. By the way, you will not even be able to purchase groceries in most stores either on Sunday or on public holidays. This is unusual for those who have only recently arrived, but this is the norm of French life. And if you decide come to France for permanent residence, then you too will soon get used to it. Buy all the products and, in general, everything that you need for the holiday in advance, and then you will know for sure that you will spend the Bastille holiday exactly the way you would like, and this holiday will be associated for you only with positive emotions and will not cause any inconvenience.

Horse racing at Longchamp racecourse

Surprisingly, the French are still big fans of horse racing. And therefore, horse racing is necessarily included in the program of such a holiday as Bastille Day. They take place at the large Longchamp racecourse in the center of Paris. Only the best horses and their riders deserve the right to attend such races; this is truly a magnificent spectacle for everyone who appreciates events involving horses and is a gambling person. Today, such races are also very popular and are broadcast on television. If you have already attended such events, then nothing will stop you from staying at home with your family and watching the races while enjoying delicious food and natural French wine. This is the choice of many Parisians, especially since you will also experience emotions and excitement even while at home, and today you can even place bets on a particular horse via telephone or the Internet to get the “full presence effect”. But if you have never visited a race of this level before, then it is better to go to the hippodrome. The opportunity to see everything with your own eyes and feel the atmosphere of celebration and competition still cannot be compared with anything else.

This event usually starts around 5:30 pm and consists of eight races. Often the horse racing then turns into a night disco right at the hippodrome. This also attracts many people, especially young people, who try to do everything to make Bastille Day eventful and memorable for a long time.

Concert at the foot of the Eiffel Tower

The concert traditionally starts at 21.30. Only the best, most professional performers and musical groups have the right to take part in this concert. But almost everyone who wants to immerse themselves in the world of high-quality, high-quality music has the right to listen to such splendor. The national orchestra of France always performs at such a concert, and this alone is worth coming and listening to. You can also expect to see many classical works performed, ranging from Mozart and Berlioz to Verdi. As a rule, a concert attracts many thousands of people, and of course, it is also broadcast on different channels, and not only broadcast, but also repeated for many days in a row on television, because this is one of the best musical events of the year, and people are given many chances visit it at least virtually.

Fireworks on the Champ de Mars

And finally, the holiday is crowned with a grand fireworks display. It can be seen from almost all corners of Paris, not to mention television. Here, the main struggle and the main efforts of the Parisians revolve around getting more “advantageous” seats that would allow a good view of the entire event. If you want to watch the fireworks for free, then the best option is the bridges over the Seine, from where you can see everything perfectly. True, if you arrive 10 minutes before the start of the fireworks, then most likely you will not be able to squeeze through even to the bridge, let alone go to its middle, because there are more than enough people who want to watch the fireworks from the bridges. If you want to watch in more comfortable conditions and with less competition, then booking seats in advance can be a good option - for example, in large restaurants that provide excellent views from the windows (although needless to say, the cost of booking such restaurants on that day is much higher higher than on normal days), or from the roofs of museums. By the way, in France, in general, many houses and buildings have fairly free access to the roof, and booking a place on the roof or simply finding a roof to watch the fireworks is all quite possible.

After the end of the holiday program, most townspeople do not intend to leave at all, because all entertainment venues, including bars, cafes, restaurants, nightclubs on the night of July 13-14 and from 14 to 15 work at full capacity, and if you want to continue fun, then you will have somewhere to go. However, do not forget that in France everything needs to be booked and agreed upon in advance. If you want to come without warning, then there may well be no empty seats, and this applies to all options for entertainment venues. Almost from May, the French begin to think about where and how they want to celebrate Bastille Day, in much the same way as the residents of Russia have been thinking about the New Year since the fall. Think about this too. If you have already celebrated this day in France, then you should come up with something new so that this celebration is not similar to the previous one. If you have never celebrated before and have just arrived, visit the parade in the morning, and the concert and fireworks in the evening. This will allow you to feel the spirit itself of this holiday- the day of the storming of the Bastille, and you can rightfully say that you participated in the main French celebrations. This means we are very close to being French.

What to remember when celebrating Bastille Day in France

Firstly, as already mentioned, all stores are usually closed on this day. Make sure you buy everything you need in advance.

Secondly, wherever you go, there will be a lot of people, and you will have to push through the crowd. This, of course, cannot spoil your impression of the spectacle that you are about to see, be it a parade or a horse race. But you still need to be prepared for this.

Thirdly, where there are a lot of people and crowds of people, pickpockets operate there. Therefore, do not take anything too valuable with you; it is better to take cash instead credit card and hide it in the inner pocket. It is better not to take bags at all, except for very small ones, even to make it easier for you to pass through the crowd. And you must hold your bags in your hand, this is the only way you can be sure that your valuables will not be snatched from you.

Fourthly, try to book all places in advance, be it a cafe or a place to watch equestrian competitions. This will allow you not to have any troubles on the very day of the holiday and immediately go to your place.

Fifthly, if you go to a concert and fireworks in the evening, you need to keep in mind that many people you meet will no longer be sober. Here it is important to stay away from obvious troublemakers, and most importantly, monitor the amount of alcohol you drink. French police actively take away those who are not on their feet, and local thieves consider them the best prey. It’s better to be sober, but if you want to drink your favorite wine, then it’s better to go to a cafe or do it there, or return home and continue celebrating the holiday with friends or family so that nothing disturbs it.

And finally, don’t sit at home on this day, because there really is something to see. Many cafes and restaurants on this day offer the most exclusive and unusual dishes, and entertainment programs on high level. Going on a holiday with friends or with your family, you will be sure that you will spend a day that can become one of the brightest days of your entire life.

According to many of those who for some reason left France, the Bastille holiday is exactly what they miss. This holiday is no longer celebrated in any other country, and many French people - by blood or spirit - who live outside of France, try to come here for at least a few days in the middle of summer to take part in such celebrations. If you are wondering when is the best time to come to France, then Bastille Day is one of the best options, because it is a national holiday, which is celebrated throughout the country on a special scale and is remembered by everyone for a long time.

On July 14, France celebrates the main national holiday of the Republic - Bastille Day (L "anniversaire de la prise de la Bastille).

The Bastille is a fortress in the suburb of Saint-Antoine, in the western region of Paris, was built at the end of the 14th century, expanded and strengthened in the 16th and 17th centuries.

It was supposed to serve as a fortification on the approaches to the capital. Soon the fortress began to serve as a prison, mainly for political prisoners. For 400 years, among the prisoners of the Bastille there were many famous personalities of France - the moralist writer Francois de La Rochefoucauld, the playwright Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, the philosopher Francois-Marie Arouet de Voltaire was twice a prisoner of the Bastille. Under King Louis XV (1710-1774), the Bastille acquired a bad reputation as a royal prison, whose prisoners disappeared forever into underground dungeons. For many generations of the French, the fortress was a symbol of the omnipotence and despotism of kings. By the 1780s, the prison had practically ceased to be used.

By the end of the 18th century, France was on the verge of bankruptcy; a third of the population of Paris were beggars and vagabonds. In search of a way out of the financial impasse, King Louis XVI of France was forced on May 5, 1789 to convene the Estates General (the highest class representative institution convened by the king at critical moments French history). Refusing to discuss specifics, on June 17 the deputies proclaimed themselves the National Assembly, and on June 23 they refused to comply royal decree about their dissolution. On July 9, 1789, the Assembly called itself the Constituent Assembly, declaring its goal to develop the constitutional foundations of a new political order.

The reason for the siege of the Bastille was rumors about the king's decision to disperse the Constituent Assembly, as well as the removal of the reformer Jacques Necker from the post of state controller of finance. Outraged Parisians took to the streets. On July 11, it became known about the concentration of royal troops near Paris.

On July 14, 1789, Parisians decided to resist the troops, hoping to take possession of the weapons stored there. None of the rebels thought of the storming of the Bastille as a symbolic event. It is traditionally believed that the assault was undertaken with the aim of freeing the Bastille prisoners.

At that time, there were seven prisoners in the fortress - four counterfeiters, two mentally ill and one murderer; the Bastille garrison numbered 110 soldiers. The assault on the fortress lasted about four hours. The crowd broke into the fortress, the chief of the garrison was torn to pieces, and the prisoners were released.

In response to what happened, Louis XVI reinstated Necker and withdrew his troops from Paris. The townspeople greeted the news with an explosion of jubilation. Legend has it that the inscription “They dance here” appeared on the ruins of the Bastille.

After July 14, the Parisian municipality decided to demolish the Bastille. Within three years until May 15, 1791, the fortress was dismantled.

Currently, on the site of the demolished fortress there is the Place de la Bastille - the intersection of a dozen streets and boulevards with the underground hub of the Paris metro and the Paris Opera. In the center of the square stands the July Column (Colonne de Juillet). It was installed in memory of the events of the July Revolution of 1830, as a result of which absolute monarchy Charles X was abolished and replaced by a constitutional monarchy led by the Citizen King Louis Philippe.

The height of the entire structure, including the pedestals, is more than 50 meters.

The column is crowned by a gilded bronze statue of the winged Genius of Liberty by Auguste Dumont. In one hand the Genius holds the torch of Civilization, and in the other - the broken chains of Slavery.

The storming of the Bastille is considered the beginning of the French Revolution. The holiday was officially established on January 31, 1879. Since then, the storming of the fortress has been considered a symbol of harmony and unity of the French nation, and Bastille Day is actually the country's Independence Day.

The official celebration program begins on July 13th. On this day, a number of gala balls take place in France. The next day opens with a military parade on the Champs Elysees, which begins at 10 a.m. at Place de l'Etoile and moves towards the Louvre, where it is received by the French President.

The obligatory finale of the celebration is a grandiose fireworks display at the Eiffel Tower and on the Champs de Mars at 10 pm.

In addition to the official program, continuous parties take place throughout the city - in discos, bars, nightclubs, houses and on the streets. In every Parisian quarter, in every provincial town, noisy balls, folk festivals, and carnivals are organized. Tables with refreshments are set up on the streets. Across the country, the sky lights up with thousands of fireworks.

July 14 at the French embassies in different countries ceremonial receptions are held around the world.

The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources

Every year France celebrates the national holiday on July 14 with special style. On this day, a solemn and spectacular military parade takes place on the Champs-Elysees, and the country can be proud of something, spectacular military parades. The start of the parade is always the same – 10 am. The military in beautiful military uniforms represent the power and strength of military equipment, and at the same time the greatness of France. The movement of the parade is observed by spectators from special spectator seats installed on Concord Square.

It is interesting that Bastille Day is celebrated in France and in other cities of the world (in Dusseldorf, for example), because it has long been associated not with the historical fortress itself and its storming, but with the concept of “liberation”, “freedom”. And in France it is generally called the National French Holiday. In Paris, it is celebrated in every home and just on the street, in any disco bar and nightclub. On the eve of the holiday, the official Grand Ball takes place in the Tuileries Gardens. And on July 14, in addition to the parade, there is a spectacular finale - the Great Fireworks at the Eiffel Tower. The "incendiary" performance on the Champ de Mars begins at dusk - at 22 o'clock. We invite you to plunge into the history of the holiday.

Officially, La Bastille Saint-Antoine was built in 1370-1381. It was a large and long building, one side facing the city and the other facing the suburbs. However, a little earlier one of its many towers had already stood, and only in 1381 the entire complex took the form of a quadrangular fortified fortress. The Bastille had 8 towers and a large courtyard. It was surrounded by a thick wall with one gate and a deep ditch with a suspension bridge.

Prison for state criminals or prisoners of the Bastille

Its architecture can only be judged from the remaining engravings of that time, and from the chronicles of eyewitnesses. However, records have been preserved that in ancient times the Bastille was even called a “pious ... royal castle,” ranking it as one of the most majestic and best buildings in Paris.

During times of popular unrest, royal persons hid from the crowd behind its strong, thick walls. However, the Bastille is best known as a place of imprisonment for state criminals. The prisoners of the Bastille were influential people and celebrities:

• Bishop of Verdun;
• Duke de Nemours;
• Countess de Lamotte.

The list of prisoners is, of course, much longer. Ironically, its first prisoner for four years was the official Hugo Aubrio - also the author of the Bastille. And the famous philosopher, historian and publicist Francois-Marie Arouet, better known by his pseudonym Voltaire, was “lucky” to visit the dungeons of the fortress twice.

Various people were prisoners of the Bastille. Among them was the vile Marquis de Sade, whom, apparently, the devil himself helped several times to escape the chopping block for his depraved and criminal actions. Among the prisoners there were also completely mystical personalities, like Alessandro Cagliostro and the man in Iron Mask. There were conflicting rumors about the latter. It is only known that prisoner number 64389000 was prescribed “comfortable” conditions of confinement. He, for example, was allowed to walk around the territory of the Bastille, unlike other prisoners, but at the same time remain completely silent.

And indeed, no one had ever heard a word from the mysterious prisoner, just as no one had seen his face. It was believed that this illegitimate son Anne of Austria, General Vivien de Bulonde, the adventurer Mantiolli, or three other people together who needed to maintain their incognito for everyone. Until now, the man in the Iron Mask is an unsolved personality. By the way, his mask was actually silk, but people’s rumor “turned” it into iron, apparently, to make the character more mysterious and dramatic.

During the existence of the Parisian political prison, in addition to aristocrats, adventurers and philosophers, fewer people visited it. famous people. And the rules of imprisonment in the Bastille were so harsh that they turned the prison into an object of special hatred of the people. It was very simple to arrest a person and put him in the walls of the Bastille - with the help of a note signed by the king ((lettre de cachet), in which the monarch ordered to keep the “lower-named person" until his (the king’s) next order. The severity of imprisonment could apply to absolutely any prisoner. For example, the Bishop of Verdun was kept in a special cage where he could neither lie down nor stand, just sit. And so the poor fellow suffered for about 10 years.

Beginning of revolutionary actions

TO XVIII century The hatred of the people and nobles towards the Bastille reached its peak, especially since completely innocent people often became its prisoners. In July 1789 important events took place historical events in the life of the people and all of France: the National Assembly was established - the first constituent assembly of representatives of the ordinary French people, organized by deputies of the Estates General. “Sensing” that a rebellion was beginning in the country, the government urgently created additional troops from foreign mercenaries, who were “pulled” to Paris.

The people, hungry and exhausted by constant extortions, placed the blame on the National Assembly big hopes. On July 12, Camille Desmoulins, a French lawyer and revolutionary, supporter of the revolution and the proclamation of the Republic, openly called on the people to arm themselves. On July 13, mass riots began, and on July 14, a huge crowd of people (some with pitchforks, some with pikes) quickly entered the armory of the Home for the Invalid and armed themselves with guns. Next, their path lay to the Bastille, where bullets and gunpowder were stored. By the way, at that moment there were only 7 prisoners of very dubious reputation in the fortress: counterfeiters, two madmen and a murderer.

At that moment, the fortress was guarded by 82 disabled veterans and 32 guardsmen, who had 15 cannons in their arsenal. The commandant of the Bastille was the Marquis de Launay, a cold-blooded, cruel, but courageous man who several times rejected the delegates' "requests" for ammunition.

So, after a few hours, a huge number of people gathered around the Bastille, and then the commandant ordered shooting into the crowd. By the way, the disabled men under the command of de Launay shot at people without much enthusiasm. However, the Marquis and his “warriors” managed to hold back the onslaught of the revolutionaries for about 12 hours. And this without the help of Versailles!

Realizing that the forces were too unequal, and the crowd had increased due to the arrival of guards with serious military weapons from the Invalides, the Marquis decided to simply blow up the prison along with himself and everyone who was in it. When he went down to the basement, he was detained by two non-commissioned officers and forced to convene a council of war, after which a white flag of surrender appeared on the roof of the Bastille.

The rebels finally broke into the fortress, freed the prisoners and plundered the ammunition depot. But in addition to this, almost the entire police archive was destroyed. A brutal reprisal was carried out over those arrested: the mob gave vent to their emotions and strength. The marquis and his assistant were beheaded. The jubilant rebels planted their heads on them and, amid the hooting of the crowd, wandered for a long time through the streets of Paris. By the way, a distant descendant of the Marquis, Vadim Nikolaevich Delaunay, called this act of the revolutionary-minded mob “rudeness and baseness.”

Versailles paid almost no attention to this event. And King Louis XVI then wrote in his diary “Nothing”, in the sense that nothing significant happened!

Liquidation of the fortress

According to people, the Bastille, as a symbol of royal tyranny and absolutism of power, should no longer exist, and their decision to destroy and demolish the fortress was fully justified by history. Work to “liquidate” it was carried out the very next day after the assault, and lasted almost two years. A crowd of people came to the ruins and staged “dances,” and one wit even put up a sign with the following content: “They dance here, and so it will be, so it will be!”

When the Bastille was demolished and its stones were sold at auction, a large wasteland was left. They offered to decorate it with something. At one time, according to the teachings of Napoleon Bonaparte, a stone and wooden model of a monument in the form of a large elephant with a tower stood here. In 1840, an 80-meter column was installed as a symbol of the July Revolution of 1830. Today, on the site of the ominous fortress is the Place de la Bastille.

The day of the capture of the fortress-prison is considered a symbol of victory over despotism and tyranny royal power. During the Great French Revolution The King of France, Louis XVI, was deposed and guillotined. 100 years after the storming of the Bastille, the French began to celebrate their national holiday every year.

Especially for Liliya-Travel.RU - Anna Lazareva