What is the Place de la Bastille?

Place de la Bastille is a square in the 4th and 11th arrondissements of Paris, located at the convergence of the historical districts of the Marais, the Faubourg Saint-Antoine and the Faubourg Saint-Bernard, and is considered to be the symbolic heart of the East End of Paris. It is best known as the site of the former prison, the Bastille, which was demolished in 1792 during the French Revolution. The Place de la Bastille is today dominated by the Bastille Opera, a modern opera house built in the late 19th century.

At the center of the square is the Colonne de Juillet, erected in memory of the July Revolution of 1830. The Place is also home to a number of notable monuments, including the Fontaine des Naiades (Fountain of the Naiads) by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, and the Bastille Metro station, designed by Hector Guimard in 1900.

The area surrounding the Place de la Bastille is a lively hub of activity, with a variety of restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. The Place de la Bastille is also a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, and often hosts concerts and other events.