Bastille

:For Bastille Linux, a hardening application, see Bastille Linux.

Storming

Main article: Storming of the Bastille.

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The confrontation between the commoners and the ancien régime ultimately led to the people of Paris storming the Bastille on July 14, 1789. At this point, the jail was near empty, with only seven inmates: four counterfeiters, two madmen, and a young aristocrat who had displeased his father. The garrison consisted of only 32 men under Governor Bernard-René de Launay.

Related Topics:
Ancien régime - July 14 - 1789 - Counterfeiters - Bernard-René de Launay

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A crowd of around 1,000 people gathered outside around mid-morning, calling for the surrender of the prison, the removal of the guns and the release of the arms and gunpowder. Two people chosen to represent those gathered were invited into the fortress and slow negotiations began.

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In the early afternoon, the crowd broke into the undefended outer courtyard and the chains on the drawbridge to the inner courtyard were cut. A spasmodic exchange of gunfire began; in mid-afternoon the crowd was reinforced by gardes françaises and two cannons. De Launay ordered a ceasefire; despite his surrender demands being refused, he capitulated and the vainqueurs swept in to liberate the fortress at around 5:30.

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Ninety-eight attackers and one defender had died. De Launay was seized and dragged towards the Hôtel de Ville, but was stabbed to death by the mob in the street outside the Hôtel.

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