The Bastille

The Bastille

The Bastille was a famous old prison in Paris, France. The solid fortress with towers, containing around seventy to eighty dark cells, and deep, damp dungeons. The fortress was surrounded by a deep ditch called a moat. The moat, being full of water, was only crossed by a draw bridge.

What is the meaning of the word "Bastille"? Bastille means any fortress, but became known as a particular part of the fortress around Paris, France.

Early kings of France stored their treasures there before it became a prison. People were often imprisoned there for many years. The people were put in prison without committing a crime, without a trial, with little food, and of course "no visitation". The reason most of them were there was because they were disliked by the kings' friends or by the king of France personally.

The people of Paris felt that the Bastille represented injustice and cruelty of the king and his government. On July 14, 1789, large crowds gathered outside the prison crying "Down with the Bastille". They soon stormed the gates, crossed the drawbridge, and captured the Bastille after a bloody battle, and released the prisoners. This is known today as "The Storming of the Bastille!!". This was also the start of the French Revolution. The Bastille was destroyed shortly after its capture. A beautiful monument was erected in its place. Bastille Day is still celebrated every year in France as well as my home town in Kaplan, Louisiana.