Jean-Christophe Ballot - Centre des Monuments Nationaux
Colonne de Juillet: Revolutionary Views
There is no greater symbol of revolutionary France. Standing on the site of the infamous Bastille prison, launching pad of the 1789 Revolution; erected to commemorate the 1830 July Revolution; tomb to hundreds of 19th century revolutionaries, the Colonne de Juilllet (July Column) is a monument to the tumultuous history of France and the fighting spirit of Paris. Commissioned by King Louis-Philippe to commemorate the 1830 revolution that brought him to power, in 1848 his throne was burned here during the revolution that deposed him.
This exclusive visit takes you from the famous landmark's fascinating below-ground crypt to the stunning and rarely seen view from its 47-meter-high platform – a privileged Paris panorama and a bird’s eye view of the footprint of the Bastille prison.