Bastille - Demolition

The Bastille was a prison in Paris, known formally as Bastille Saint-Antoine—Number 232, Rue Saint-Antoine. The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789 marked the beginning of the French Revolution. The event was commemorated one year later by the Fête de la Fédération. The French national holiday, celebrated annually on July 14 is officially the Fête Nationale, and officially commemorates the Fête de la Fédération, but it is commonly known in English as Bastille Day. < ...

Including:

• Bastille - Early history
• Bastille - Storming
• Bastille - Historical assessment
• Bastille - Famous prisoners
• Bastille - Demolition
• Bastille - The area today

Read more here: » Bastille: Encyclopedia - Bastille

The propaganda value of the Bastille was quickly seized upon, notably by the showy entrepreneur Pierre-François Palloy, "Patriote Palloy." The fate of the Bastille was uncertain, but Palloy was quick to establish a claim, organising a force of 500 demolition men around the site on the 15th. Over the next few days many notables visited the Bastille and it seemed to be turning into a memorial. But Palloy secured a license for demolition from the Permanent Committee at the Hôtel de V ...

See also:

Bastille, Bastille - Early history, Bastille - Storming, Bastille - Historical assessment, Bastille - Famous prisoners, Bastille - Demolition, Bastille - The area today

Read more here: » Bastille: Encyclopedia II - Bastille - Demolition

Built around 1370 as part of the defences of Paris, the structure was converted into a prison in the 15th century by Charles VI. At that time it primarily housed political prisoners, but also religious prisoners, "seditious" writers, and young rakes held at the request of their families. It began to acquire a poor reputation when it became the main prison for those taken under lettres de cachet issued by the Bourbon kings. By the late 18th century, the building was made up of eight close-packed towers, around 24 m (80 feet) hig ...

See also:

Bastille, Bastille - Early history, Bastille - Storming, Bastille - Historical assessment, Bastille - Famous prisoners, Bastille - Demolition, Bastille - The area today

Read more here: » Bastille: Encyclopedia II - Bastille - Early history

Main article: Storming of the Bastille. The confrontation between the commoners and the ancien régime ultimately led to the people of Paris storming the Bastille on July 14, 1789, following several days of disturbances. At this point, the jail was nearly empty, with only seven inmates: four counterfeiters, two madmen, and a young aristocrat who had displeased his father. The regular garrison consisted of about 80 invalides (veteran soldiers no longer capable of service in the field) under Governor Bernard-René d ...

See also:

Bastille, Bastille - Early history, Bastille - Storming, Bastille - Historical assessment, Bastille - Famous prisoners, Bastille - Demolition, Bastille - The area today

Read more here: » Bastille: Encyclopedia II - Bastille - Storming