Today an energetic, centrally-located quarter, perhaps no area has greater gravity in terms of French history than the Bastille. After all, this is where the prison once stood that marked the end of the era of kings and the birth of the French Republic.
There’s so much to see and do in this vibrant, centrally-located area, it’s hard to know where to begin! Certainly,
a short or even
long term apartment rentals paris is the best way to call this area “home” for
a brief or extended trip to one of the world’s most exciting cities.
Although the fort-turned-prison that gives this area its name no longer stands, the former location of the fort is called the Place
de la Bastille.
The square here actually overlaps 3 districts of Paris, the 4th, 11th and 12th. This means
apartments rentals Paris 3rd district, Bastille puts you at the intersection of multiple exciting neighborhoods within central Paris.
As for the fort that once stood here, you can be sure few things live in the French public imagination and collective cultural memory as intensely as the Bastille. Constructed in the latter part of the 14th century, the Bastille was originally built as part of the city’s defensive plan, and was only later converted into
a prison by Charles VI of France in the 17th century. As the prison was used primarily to house political and religious prisoners, and those who had written out against the excesses of the monarchy, in the public imagination it gradually became
a symbol of tyranny and oppression by the aristocracy and monarchical rule.
The actual fall of the Bastille took place July 14, 1789 as the culmination of several days of protest and public discontent. The ensuing confrontation would mark the beginning of the end of monarchical power and the birth of the first republic of France.
At the outset,
a crowd of around 1,000 citizens gathered outside the Bastille beginning around noon, calling for release of prisoners and demanding gunpowder and arms.
Eventually, two negotiators representing the protestors were allowed inside to begin negotiating with the Bastille’s wardens. But as the negotiations wore on, by early afternoon some had managed to break into the outer courtyard. Gunshots rang out on both sides. Reinforcements for the protesters arrived in the form of two cannons and mutinous Royal Army soldiers. Finally
a ceasefire and accord was reached, and the fortress was liberated at around 5:30 that afternoon.
Today, the date of the Bastille's surrender, July the 14th, is celebrated as France's Fête Nationale (most often known as "Bastille Day" in English), and celebrates the beginning of what would become the modern French Republic. There are citywide festivities on this exciting and important national holiday.
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Although the Bastille was demolished in the ensuing epoch, some remnants of one of the towers of the fort were unearthed during the construction of the Métro. These ruins were subsequently moved
a few hundred meters away, where they can be see in
a nearby park. From your
Paris apartments, you may find yourself enjoying
a breezy day in this park and feel yourself immersed in this important bit of history.
If you wish to get
a sense of how large the Bastille was, there are paving stones tracing the outline of where it once stood. There are also
a number of businesses here where you can sit and meditate upon the interesting moments leading to the present day.
You'll be pleased to find there is much to see and do in the Bastille area. Lovers of culture will rejoice to know Paris' newest opera house, Opéra Bastille, is quartered here. And various cultural events and concerts are frequently held at the Place
de la Bastille itself.
Lovers of nightlife will also enjoy living in the Bastille area, with
a wealth of nearby nightclubs, concert halls, cafés and bars to choose from.
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If you like nautical fun,
a large "fosse" (ditch) that was located behind the old fort has since become
a marina for yachts and other boats, and to the north is the Canal Saint Martin,
a covered canal that extends from the marina and also traces the location of the former fort.
Shopping enthusiasts and those who love
a find will love the large, open-air market that comes to the park north of the Place
de la Bastille each weekend. Head to the park near the Boulevard Richard Lenoir for fresh fruit, bread and cheese, not to mention fish and items from local craftspeople and artists.
Affordable, convenient Paris apartments for rent and
apartment rental in Bastille quarter give you
a wealth of options to choose from. Living in the fun Bastille area puts you within reach of some of Paris' top attractions, and we know you'll have the time of your life.
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