July Column, Paris

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

#140 among attractions in Paris

Monuments and statues

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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

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place de la BastillePopincourt (Roquette)Paris France

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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.

~1230 ftW
Museum, Baroque architecture
Hôtel de Sully, Paris
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0.4 miNW
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Carnavalet Museum, Paris
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~1910 ftS
Sailing, Marina
Bassin de l'Arsenal, Paris
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~1230 ftNW
17th-century square lined with houses
Place des Vosges, Paris
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~390 ftE
Contemporary venue for opera and ballet
Opéra Bastille, Paris
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~1960 ftSE
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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.
~240 ftNW
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.
~1310 ftSW
Canal
Canal de l'Ourcq, Paris
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~910 ftNW
Museum, Vernacular architecture, History museum
Maison de Victor Hugo, Paris
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~1860 ftW
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.
~710 ftW
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)