The area in the eastern part of Paris is known as the Bastille District; the district derives its name from
La Bastille, the former prison and fortress which was located here until 1789.
In that year, an angry mob stormed the prison to free the prisoners unfairly oppressed by the king; not only did the revolutionaries free the prisoners, but they also tore the prison down.
In the place where the Bastille once stood, there is now the Colonne de Juillet, which commemorates not only the fall of the
Bastille, but also Republicans killed during the Revolution of 1830. On the ground, large paving stones set into the cobblestones mark the outline of the original Bastille.
Located on the Right Bank, the Bastille District is the most densely populated district of Paris.
The famous Place de la Bastille in the center of the district is a favorite spot for boutiques, galleries, restaurants, cafes, and nightlife. To the north, the Oberkampf neighborhood is also popular for its nightlife.
The 2,723-seat
Bastille Opera House at 130 rue de Lyon is a favorite venue for taking in an opera performance and is the home of the
Opéra National de Paris.
The tiny Musée du Fumeur, located at 7 rue Pache, is an interesting museum dedicated to the history of smoking.
Its purpose is to highlight how artifacts and attitudes toward smoking have progressed over the years.
