How long does it take to walk from the Bastille to the Tuileries?

The walk takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes if walking directly. However, if you follow a self-guided route with stops at historical landmarks, you should budget at least 2 to 3 hours.

Is the French Revolution walking route difficult?

No, the route is rated as moderate. It covers approximately 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) of mostly flat terrain through the center of Paris, primarily using paved sidewalks and garden paths.

Can I see the original Bastille prison today?

No, the Bastille was almost entirely demolished shortly after it was stormed in 1789. You can, however, see the outline of the fortress marked in the paving stones of the Place de la Bastille and some foundation stones in the nearby Bastille Metro station.

Where was the guillotine located in Paris?

The most famous location for the guillotine was the Place de la Concorde (then Place de la Révolution). It was also located at the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville and later moved to the Place de la Nation.

What is the best time to start this historical walk?

Starting around 10:00 AM is best. This allows you to finish by early afternoon, leaving time for lunch in the Marais or a visit inside the Conciergerie when crowds are manageable.

Are there any entrance fees on this walking route?

The walking route itself is free as it visits public squares and gardens. However, if you choose to enter the Conciergerie museum, there is an admission fee, and tickets should be checked in advance.

Is this route suitable for children?

Yes, it is family-friendly, especially the Tuileries Garden. However, parents should note that the narration discusses the history of the guillotine and the Reign of Terror, which may require context for younger children.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

About This Tour

Step back into the most turbulent era of French history with this self-guided walking route through the heart of the capital. This independent exploration traces the rise and fall of the French Revolution, taking you from the halls of power to the sites of public execution. Unlike a standard guided tour Paris offers, this audio walk allows you to linger at the landmarks that witnessed the end of the monarchy and the birth of a republic. Your journey begins at the Hôtel de Ville, the historic seat of Paris’s municipal power and a focal point for revolutionary fervor. From here, you will cross onto the Île de la Cité to stand before the Conciergerie. Once a royal palace, it became the 'Antichamber to the Guillotine' during the Reign of Terror, holding famous prisoners like Marie Antoinette. As you continue your walking tour Paris adventure, you’ll traverse the Pont Neuf and enter the Tuileries Garden, where the royal family was once held under house arrest before the palace was stormed by the people. The narrative reaches a dramatic peak at the Place de la Concorde. Once known as the Place de la Révolution, this vast square hosted the guillotine that claimed the lives of King Louis XVI and thousands of others. Finally, the route leads you toward the Place de la Bastille. Although the fortress itself is long gone, the spirit of the 1789 uprising remains palpable in the vibrant atmosphere of the modern square. This neighborhood stroll is perfect for history buffs and curious travelers alike, providing a deep dive into the political intrigue and social upheaval that reshaped the Western world. Explore at your own pace, stop for a coffee in the Marais along the way, and witness the enduring legacy of 'Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité' in the streets of the city today.

Highlights

The historic facade of Hôtel de Ville, seat of the Paris Commune

The Conciergerie, the infamous 'Antichamber to the Guillotine'

A walk across Pont Neuf, the oldest standing bridge in Paris

The Tuileries Garden, site of the former royal palace

Place de la Concorde, where Louis XVI met his end

The symbolic Place de la Bastille and the July Column

Tour Stops (6)

Hôtel de Ville

Welcome to the heart of Parisian civic life. The Hôtel de Ville has stood as the city's administrative center since 1357, but its revolutionary history is what truly defines it. During the French Revolution, this building was the headquarters of the Paris Commune, the radical insurrectionary government. It was here that Robespierre was captured after his fall from power, and it was from these windows that the Republic was proclaimed several times in French history. Notice the intricate Renaissance-style architecture; though much of it was rebuilt after being burned during the Paris Commune of 1871, it remains a symbol of the city's defiant spirit. Imagine the crowds gathered in the square below, demanding bread and justice as the old world crumbled around them.

Conciergerie

Gaze upon the medieval spires of the Conciergerie, a structure that transitioned from a magnificent royal palace to one of the most feared prisons in history. During the Reign of Terror, it earned the nickname 'the Antichamber to the Guillotine.' Over 2,700 people were held here before being sent to their deaths, including the most famous prisoner of all: Queen Marie Antoinette. Inside these walls, the social distinctions of the Ancien Régime vanished as aristocrats and commoners alike awaited their fate. The stark contrast between the building’s Gothic beauty and its grim history serves as a powerful reminder of the Revolution's darker side, where the quest for liberty often led to the shadow of the scaffold.

Pont Neuf

Despite its name meaning 'New Bridge,' Pont Neuf is actually the oldest standing bridge in Paris. Completed in 1607, it was revolutionary for its time because it was the first bridge in the city built without houses on it and the first to feature sidewalks for pedestrians. During the Revolution, the bridge was a vital artery for the city, a place where news, rumors, and political pamphlets spread like wildfire. Stand by the equestrian statue of Henri IV; during the uprising, the original statue was torn down and melted to create cannons. The bridge has watched the Seine flow through centuries of change, acting as a stage for both the pageantry of kings and the fury of the people.

Tuileries Garden

As you stroll through these manicured paths, you are walking on the site of a vanished palace. The Tuileries Palace once stood here, closing off the courtyard of the Louvre. In 1789, King Louis XVI and his family were forced to move here from Versailles to be under the watchful eye of the revolutionary people. For three years, the palace was a gilded cage until August 10, 1792, when a mob of 20,000 people stormed the building, effectively ending the French monarchy. Today, only the gardens remain, offering a peaceful retreat that belies the violent struggle for power that once saturated this ground. It is a place where the grandeur of royal design meets the public accessibility of the modern Republic.

Place de la Concorde

You are now standing in one of the most significant squares in world history. Originally named Place Louis XV, it was renamed Place de la Révolution during the height of the upheaval. This is where the guillotine was erected, and where, on January 21, 1793, King Louis XVI was executed before a cheering crowd. Marie Antoinette, Danton, and even the revolutionary leader Robespierre met their ends here. Today, the square is anchored by the 3,300-year-old Luxor Obelisk, a gift from Egypt intended to move the site away from its bloody past. The name 'Concorde' was chosen to signal a new era of national reconciliation and peace after the trauma of the Terror.

Place de la Bastille

Our final stop brings us to the symbolic birthplace of the Revolution. On July 14, 1789, a mob of Parisians stormed the Bastille, a medieval fortress and prison that represented royal tyranny. While only seven prisoners were inside at the time, the event became the spark that ignited a global movement. Today, not a stone of the fortress remains visible above ground, but its outline is marked in the paving stones of the square. In the center stands the July Column, which actually commemorates a later revolution in 1830. Below the square lies the Opera Bastille, a modern landmark that continues the tradition of the area as a place for the people. This square remains the traditional starting point for political demonstrations in Paris, proving that the revolutionary spirit is still very much alive.

Frequently Asked Questions

A self-guided walk focused on the French Revolution is ideal for history enthusiasts. This route covers iconic sites like the Conciergerie and Place de la Concorde, where major historical events occurred between 1789 and 1794.