Leah Still Joll is a freelance writer based in San Francisco with a specialty in travel writing. Her favorite destinations include Maui, Sayulita, the Northern California coast, Paris, Morocco, Indonesia, and Western Australia.
Leah Still Joll is a freelance writer based in San Francisco with a specialty in travel writing. Her favorite destinations include Maui, Sayulita, the Northern California coast, Paris, Morocco, Indonesia, and Western Australia.
Hi, I'm Leah!Leah Still Joll is a freelance writer based in San Francisco with a specialty in travel writing. Her favorite destinations include Maui, Sayulita, the Northern California coast, Paris, Morocco, Indonesia, and Western Australia.
Hi, I'm Leah!Leah Still Joll is a freelance writer based in San Francisco with a specialty in travel writing. Her favorite destinations include Maui, Sayulita, the Northern California coast, Paris, Morocco, Indonesia, and Western Australia.
In the City of Lights, there’s no shortage of historical sites to visit. From the Bois de Boulogne to the cobblestone streets of Montmartre, there are endless stories to enjoy whether you’re walking between sights or cruising along the Seine. But dig a little deeper into French history on your visit to Paris and learn about political upheaval and infamous events of the revolution. Feel the spirit of Vivre la République with our guide to the top five French Revolution sites to visit in Paris.
What was the French Revolution? The French Revolution was a period of social, political, and cultural upheaval in the late 18th century. It is widely seen as one of the most violent and globally significant revolutions in history.
Why did the French Revolution happen? As royalty and the nobility lived a life of lavish excess (for royal history buffs, this is where Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France, played a significant and controversial role in the French Revolution due to her actions and image of excess and extravagance). Add to that, resentment for restrictions imposed on the working class by the ruling class, a growing economic crises—driven by involvement in the American Revolution—deepened in France, fueling the resentment and discontent of the bourgeoisie and peasant classes
Finally, a crop failure in 1788 sent living standards in France, then Europe’s most populous country, tumbling. As many citizens faced famine and poverty, restlessness with, and distaste for, the establishment grew. Many protests and uprisings preceded the noted start of the French Revolution.
How did the revolution start? On July 14th, 1789, a mob of Parisians stormed the prison at Bastille. Tired of the King imprisoning any political adversary, and hungry from a lack of food due to poor harvests, the mob released the prisoners and started the French Revolution.
Most historical records and scholars date the French Revolution as starting in 1789, when King Louis XVI and the French monarchy were overthrown. While this is when most of the key events of the era started, the beginnings of the revolution can be traced back to 1787 with the aristocratic revolt—a period when the French nobility sought to curtail the monarchy’s absolute power.
How did the revolution end? On November 9th, 1799, the revolution finally came to an end when Napoleon was declared the “first consul” of the Republic of France. While many of the bloodiest days of the revolution were over by then, this declaration brought 12 years of revolution to a close.
What did the revolution change? The French Revolution saw the end of the ancien régime (old regime) in France, turning the country from one ruled by a monarch to a republic. However, this change was challenged twice more during the 19th century, with mini revolutions happening in France in 1830 and 1848.
A visit to the site of the Bastille is the perfect place to kick off your revolutionary tour of Paris. The Storming of the Bastille took place on July 14, 1789, when the now-gone medieval Bastille fortress was attacked by an angry mob. This surprise jump-started the revolution. Although the building itself no longer stands, its location is marked by Place de la Bastille, a square that straddles the 4th, 11th, and 12th arrondissements.
How to Visit: Discover what is now the Bastille neighborhood on a food and market walking tour, or opt for an off-the-beaten-path bike tour that also stops at less-visited sights.
Once a palace during the Middle Ages, the Conciergerie was used as a prison during the French Revolution, is one of the key Reign of Terror locations in the city, along with Marie Antoinette’s last residence. Hundreds of prisoners were kept here, including Marie Antoinette, before being taken to the guillotine.
How to Visit: Set on Île de la Cité, the same island on the Seine where Notre-Dame Cathedral sits, the Conciergerie is easy to visit with a Paris attraction pass. For a more dedicated experience, opt for skip-the-line Congiergerie tickets or a combo tour that includes a Seine River cruise and a visit to the former palace.
One of the largest squares in the city, and one of the most important sites of the French Revolution, Place de la Concorde sits between Paris’ main shopping street, the Avenue des Champs-Elysées , and Tuileries Garden. During the Revolution, King Louis XVI, his wife Marie Antoinette, and other members of the French aristocracy were executed here by guillotine.
How to Visit: Most of the top city tours in Paris pass by Place de la Concorde, whose main feature is an Egyptian obelisk. The best way to see the square, however, is on foot during a walk along the Right Bank of the Seine. Consider a private walking tour of Paris’ hidden gems) for a fully customizable experience.
A collection of museums about the French Revolution and France's military history, Les Invalides is best known for housing the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte. The gold Dôme des Invalides is a recognizable part of the Paris skyline.
How to Visit: Les Invalides is set near the Eiffel Tower, so a luminous evening combo tour or a half-day Segway tour can be great ways to check out both sites. To explore the compound and see Napoleon’s tomb, book skip-the-line tickets or a tour to the onsite Army Museum (Musee de l'Armee).
As mentioned above, the Palace of Versailles played a significant role during the French Revolution. It symbolized the way French aristocrats lived in excess while many of their citizens starved. Although located just outside Paris, Versailles is a worthy visit, as the French Revolution started, in part, because of the lavish lifestyle on full display here, where the king and queen lived.
How to Visit: Half-day and full-day Versailles trips are available from Paris, with transportation and entrance fees included for your convenience. Add-on options include tours of nearby Giverny. Time your visit just right and enjoy the garden and fountain shows of Versailles.
This piece was originally published in 2017 and has been recently updated by Luke Spacey.
