July Column, Paris

Name: July Column
Address: place de la Bastille, Paris, France

#140 among attractions in Paris

Monuments and statues

Gallery (16)

Map

Gallery

Facts and practical information

The July Column, a towering monument in the heart of Paris, France, stands as a poignant reminder of the nation's turbulent history. Located in the center of the Place de la Bastille, the column commemorates the events of the July Revolution of 1830, which saw the overthrow of King Charles X and the ascent of Louis-Philippe to the French throne.

Erected between 1835 and 1840, the July Column is crowned by a gilded figure known as the "Génie de la Liberté" or "Spirit of Freedom," which symbolizes liberty and the spirit of the revolution. The bronze statue holds aloft a torch in one hand and rests the other on a broken chain, signifying the breaking of the shackles of oppression.

The column itself is made of bronze and rises to a height of 47 meters, including its pedestal and the statue. The pedestal is adorned with a list of names—those of the citizens who died during the July 1830 uprising. A bas-relief at the base of the column depicts scenes from the revolution, providing a visual narrative of the historic events.

Visitors to the July Column can appreciate its intricate details and the significance it holds in French history. While it is not possible to ascend the column, it serves as an impressive backdrop for photographs and a starting point for exploring the vibrant Bastille neighborhood, known for its rich history, cafes, and the modern opera house, Opéra Bastille.

Local name: Colonne de Juillet Coordinates: 48°51'12"N, 2°22'9"E

Address

place de la BastillePopincourt (Roquette)Paris France

Contact

Website

Social media

Add

Paris

Day trips

July Column – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Hôtel de Sully, Carnavalet Museum, Bassin de l'Arsenal, Place des Vosges.

~380 mW
Museum, Baroque architecture
Hôtel de Sully, Paris
6 min walk • Nestled in the heart of the Marais district in Paris, the Hôtel de Sully is a lesser-known but equally enchanting historical gem. This hôtel particulier, a private mansion typical of French classical architecture, dates back to the 17th century and offers a tranquil...
~630 mNW
Museum, Art museum, History museum
Carnavalet Museum, Paris
10 min walk • The Carnavalet Museum, nestled in the historic Marais district of Paris, is a cultural gem dedicated to the history of the city. This museum, which is housed in two adjoining mansions—the Hôtel Carnavalet and the Hôtel Le Peletier de Saint-Fargeau—offers visitors...
~580 mS
Sailing, Marina
Bassin de l'Arsenal, Paris
10 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Paris, the Bassin de l'Arsenal is a picturesque canal basin that bridges the gap between the Canal Saint-Martin and the River Seine. This tranquil marina, located just a stone's throw from the Place de la Bastille, offers a serene escape from...
~370 mNW
17th-century square lined with houses
Place des Vosges, Paris
6 min walk • Nestled in the historic Marais district of Paris, Place des Vosges stands as one of the city's oldest and most beautiful squares. Inaugurated in 1612 as Place Royale, the square is renowned for its distinctive red-brick architecture and symmetrical design, a testament...
~120 mE
Contemporary venue for opera and ballet
Opéra Bastille, Paris
2 min walk • The Opéra Bastille stands as a modern emblem of cultural sophistication in the heart of Paris, France. Inaugurated in 1989 to mark the bicentennial of the French Revolution, this opera house has been captivating audiences with its cutting-edge design and exceptional...
~600 mSE
Church
Saint-Antoine-des-Quinze-Vingts, Paris
10 min walk • Saint-Antoine-des-Quinze-Vingts is a lesser-known gem nestled in the bustling cityscape of Paris, France. This historic church is located in the 12th arrondissement and is often overlooked by tourists in favor of more prominent Parisian landmarks.
~70 mNW
Bustling square where prison once stood
Place de la Bastille, Paris
2 min walk • The Place de la Bastille is a square in Paris where the Bastille prison once stood until the storming of the Bastille and its subsequent physical destruction between 14 July 1789 and 14 July 1790 during the French Revolution.
~400 mSW
Canal
Canal de l'Ourcq, Paris
7 min walk • The Canal de l'Ourcq is a 108.1 km long canal in the Île-de-France region with 10 locks. It was built at a width of 3.20 m but was enlarged to 3.7 m, which permitted use by more pleasure boats.
~280 mNW
Museum, Vernacular architecture, History museum
Maison de Victor Hugo, Paris
5 min walk • Maison de Victor Hugo is a writer's house museum located where Victor Hugo lived for 16 years between 1832–1848. It is one of the 14 City of Paris' Museums that have been incorporated since January 1, 2013 in the public institution Paris Musées.
~570 mW
Church, Baroque architecture
Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis, Paris
9 min walk • Église Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis is a church on rue Saint-Antoine in the Marais quarter of Paris. The present building was constructed from 1627 to 1641 by the Jesuit architects Étienne Martellange and François Derand, on the orders of Louis XIII of France. It gives its name to Place Saint-Paul and its nearest Metro station, Saint-Paul.
~220 mW
Church, Baroque architecture
Temple du Marais, Paris
4 min walk • The Temple du Marais, sometimes known as the Temple Sainte-Marie, or historically, as the Church of Sainte Marie de la Visitation, is a Protestant church located in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, in the district of Le Marais at 17 Rue Saint-Antoine.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to July Column?

Nearby attractions include Fontaine de la Régénération, Paris (1 min walk), Place de la Bastille, Paris (2 min walk), Opéra Bastille, Paris (2 min walk), Boulevard de la Bastille, Paris (4 min walk).

How to get to July Column by public transport?

The nearest stations to July Column:

Metro

Bastille • Lines: 1, 5, 8 (1 min walk)
Bréguet-Sabin • Lines: 5 (7 min walk)

Bus

Bastille - Rue Saint-Antoine • Lines: 69, 76, N11, N16, Verte (2 min walk)
Bastille - Faubourg Saint-Antoine • Lines: 76, 86 (2 min walk)

Ferry

Jardin des Plantes • Lines: Batobus (14 min walk)
Hôtel-de-Ville • Lines: Batobus (19 min walk)

Train

Gare de Lyon (16 min walk)
Gare d'Austerlitz (22 min walk)