The Bastille is known as a “meeting point” or a place of gathering. Whether it is to meet someone for coffee, meet to go to a nightclub, meet to join in on the annual Gay Pride Parade, or meet with a group of protesters manifesting against the latest government proposal, this is where people come together.

As you may remember from the footage shown in the early part of 2006, this is also where cars were burnt and many people arrested during one of the many protests that year. Although we wouldn’t suggest joining in on a manifestation (especially joining in as it passes through the Bastille area), this is a rather safe place to be, any other day.

Around this column are numerous cafes, clubs, restaurants, and shopping. Granted, this column does have historical significance (as you can read in the history) but as busy traffic circulates around this column, one can only get caught up in the liveliness of the area.

Take Metro 1, 5, or 8 to the stop BASTILLE and use exit rue Saint-Antoine.

Next to the Bastille, is the “New Opera” or “Opera Bastille” (See top left picture)

If you would like to try a truly special experience, once you are standing in front of the Opera, go right on rue de Lyon for about 300 yards. On your left there will be a stairway going up.

It used to be a train line that ran above the large boulevard but it has since become one of the longest, most beautiful, surprisingly peaceful and unknown parks of Paris. Even many Parisians doesn’t know about this and don’t try to find it in any guidebook.