Every year on July 14th, French citizens and francophones around the world break out in celebration of Bastille Day, a national holiday commemorating the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789. Similar to the way Americans celebrate our own Independence Day, Parisians typically celebrate the birth of the French Republic with a massive Bastille Day Military Parade followed by a nighttime fireworks show.
Since we couldn’t make it to Paris this year, we’ve chosen to bring Paris to you—in the form of this virtual tour through landmarks and locations important to the French Revolution. Bon voyage!
Hôtel des Invalides
Before storming the Bastille, French revolutionaries and rioters looted the armories of Hôtel des Invalides, where guns and cannons were stored. One thing they couldn’t find was gunpowder, which was kept in the Bastille fortress. While it was originally built as a hospital for wounded militants, Hôtel des Invalides acts as a War Museum today.
Place de la Bastille
Experience the Place de la Bastille, where on July 14, 1789, an angry Parisian mob stormed the notorious prison and freed the seven prisoners inside. This event acted as a symbolic move against the monarchy’s abuse of power and is considered a turning point in the French Revolution. The prison and its surrounding fortress have since been dismantled, and today Place de la Bastille is a commemorative square in the heart of Paris.
Palace of Versailles
The ultimate palace, Versailles was built by Louis XIII and housed the royal family and its groveling court from 1682 until the French Revolution. King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, the French royalty at the time of the Revolution, lived here until they were removed from power and ultimately beheaded.
Place de la Concorde
In 1792, the statue of King Louis XV in the middle of Place de la Concorde was destroyed; shortly thereafter, the square was renamed Place de la Revolution. It was here that more than 1,000 people were publicly executed by guillotine, and today the history-rich square marks the end of the Tour de France.
Avenue des Champs-Elysees
The annual Bastille Day Military Parade starts at the Arc de Triomphe and follows Avenue des Champs-Elysees to Place de la Concorde. Though this is the first year it’s been canceled since 1880, you can still celebrate at home by enjoying some traditional French dishes and enjoying a virtual fireworks show at the Eiffel Tower.