Die Französische Revolution in Paris: Wichtige Orte und Geschichten

The French Revolution wasn’t just a turning point for France — it was a seismic moment in global history. And nowhere was it felt more intensely than in Paris. From storming prisons to toppling monarchies, the streets of the city became the stage for revolution, resistance, and reinvention.

This guide walks you through the key places where the Revolution unfolded — and where its echoes still resonate today. Whether you’re a history buff or curious traveler, these sites bring 1789 to life.

🏛️ 1. Place de la Concorde – From Royal Square to Execution Ground

What began as the elegant Place Louis XV became one of the most notorious locations of the Revolution. It was here, in 1793, that King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were publicly executed by guillotine.

• 📍 Location: 8th arrondissement, end of the Champs-Élysées
• 🧠 Did you know? Over 1,000 people were executed here during the Reign of Terror.

Today: The square now features fountains and the Luxor Obelisk, but its Revolutionary past is marked by a discreet plaque near the Hôtel de Crillon.

🧱 2. The Bastille – The Prison That Started It All

Though nothing remains of it today, the Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789 marked the Revolution’s dramatic beginning. The fortress-prison, seen as a symbol of royal tyranny, was demolished by Parisians just days later.

• 📍 Location: Place de la Bastille, 11th arrondissement
• 🔍 Look for: A round outline in the pavement near Rue Saint-Antoine that traces the Bastille’s original towers.
• 🧠 Fun fact: Stones from the Bastille were sold as souvenirs and even used to build bridges.

Today: A tall July Column now stands in the center of the square, commemorating the 1830 Revolution, not 1789 — so don’t be confused!

👑 3. Conciergerie – The Revolution’s Grim Waiting Room

Once a royal palace, the Conciergerie became a Revolutionary prison where thousands awaited the guillotine — including Marie Antoinette and Robespierre.

• 📍 Location: Île de la Cité, 1st arrondissement
• 🕒 Open to visitors: Yes — explore the preserved cells, including a recreation of Marie Antoinette’s
  👉 Book Tickets for the Conciergerie

Don’t miss: Der Hall of the Guards, and the memorial chapel to Queen Marie Antoinette.

⚖️ 4. Palais Royal – The Revolutionary Hotbed

Originally the royal residence of the Duke of Orléans, the Palais Royal became a center for political speech, revolutionary pamphlets, and underground organizing.

• 📍 Location: 1st arrondissement, near the Louvre
• 🔍 Why it mattered: On July 12, 1789, Camille Desmoulins famously called Parisians to arms here — two days before the Bastille fell.

Today: Stroll through the arcades and gardens — and imagine the buzz of rebellion just beneath the calm.

⚔️ 5. Musée Carnavalet – The Revolution’s Memory Palace

Dedicated to the history of Paris, this museum holds Revolution-era artifacts, guillotine models, portraits of major figures, and even Robespierre’s personal effects.

• 📍 Location: Le Marais, 3rd arrondissement
• 🕒 Entry: Free
• 🧠 Who to look for: Danton, Marat, Robespierre, Charlotte Corday, and more

Ideal for: Getting context before visiting other Revolutionary sites.

🔥 6. Rue Saint-Honoré & Place Vendôme – Robespierre’s Final March

Robespierre, once the Revolution’s most powerful figure, was arrested near Place Vendôme and executed the next day — without trial — in 1794.

• 📍 Walk from Place Vendôme to Place de la Concorde to trace the fall of the Terror.

Reflection: The Revolution devoured even its most passionate architects.

💬 Famous Figures of the Revolution

• Maximilien Robespierre: Revolutionary leader turned Reign of Terror architect
• Georges Danton: Charismatic orator and early radical
• Jean-Paul Marat: Radical journalist murdered in his bath
• Marie Antoinette: Queen of France, guillotined in 1793
• Louis XVI: The last king before the republic
• Charlotte Corday: Assassin of Marat, executed for her act

🗺️ Walking Route: A Self-Guided French Revolution Trail

1. Start at Palais Royal
2. Walk to Place de la Bastille (via Rue Saint-Honoré)
3. Visit the Conciergerie on Île de la Cité
4. Continue to Place de la Concorde
5. Finish at the Musée Carnavalet in Le Marais

👉 Download Self-Guided Map App Here

🎟️ How to Explore Revolutionary Paris Today

• Conciergerie Entry Ticket + Sainte-Chapelle Combo:
  👉 Book Online
• Revolution Walking Tour (with local historian):
  👉 See Tour Options
• Musée Carnavalet – Free entry, closed Mondays

Paris wears its history on its streets — and during the Revolution, those streets ran hot with change. Whether you’re standing in the quiet elegance of Place de la Concorde or tracing the invisible footprint of the Bastille, you’re never far from where liberty, equality, and fraternity were forged.

👉 Plan Your French Revolution Tour in Paris