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The monument in the center of Place de la Bastille was built after another French revolt— the July Revolution of 1830—which was a revolt by the middle class against Bourbon King Charles X that forced him out of office and replaced him with the Orleanist King Louis-Philippe, creating a constitutional monarchy. In 1833, King Louis-Philippe ordered a monument to be constructed which would commemorate both the French Revolution of 1789 (the storming of the Bastille) and the "three glorious days" of the July (1830) revolt. The "Colonne de Juillet" (July Column) is located on an island in the middle of the very busy traffic circle that is Place de la Bastille. It is engraved in gold with the names of Parisians who died during the 1830 revolt. Over 500 of these revolutionaries are said to be buried in vaults under the column.
At the top of the column stands a gold-leafed bronze statue called the "Génie de la Liberté" (the Spirit of Freedom), designed by sculptor Augustin-Alexandre Dumont. In case you ever get lost, Cour Damoye is just across the street from the "right hip of the Genie"! |
click to enlarge |
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Génie de la Bastille |
Names of Revolutionaries |
Place de la Bastille Out Front Gate |
Opéra Bastille Across Street |
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16th Century Drawing |
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