Bastille

Updated on September 13, 2026

The Bastille neighborhood is one of the liveliest in Paris. True to its revolutionary past, Place de la Bastille is today a gathering spot for parades, rallies, and demonstrations of every kind. At night, this neighborhood in the 12th arrondissement takes on a whole new character: popular and trendy, Bastille promises unforgettable evenings, and even nights that last until dawn.

Highlights

Place de la Bastille

Place de la Bastille is the symbol of the French Revolution, where the old fortress was torn down between July 14, 1789, and July 14, 1790. As a royal prison, it symbolized the king's all-powerful authority — which is exactly why the people wanted to destroy it. Even today, Place de la Bastille remains the go-to site for protest movements and demonstrations.

The Opéra Bastille

The Opéra Bastille — home of the Paris National Opera — is a strikingly modern opera house on Place de la Bastille. Opened in 1989 and designed by architect Carlos Ott, the building spans 155,000 square meters, and its main hall seats 2,703 people. Here you can enjoy opera classics such as The Barber of Seville, La Traviata, and Aida.

A stroll through the Bastille neighborhood and its restaurants

The Bastille neighborhood is packed with restaurants, bars, and pubs. Fancy a bagel? Head to Morry's, 1 rue de Charonne, which offers several varieties of bagels (sesame, poppy seed, cumin...) topped with a choice of equally delicious fillings (pastrami, pickles, cheddar, foie gras...). For a romantic dinner for two, try the restaurant "Qui Plume la Lune" at 5 rue Amelot, where you'll find surprising dishes as beautiful as they are delicious. And for a night out, the go-to spot is Le Réservoir, at 16 rue de la Forge Royale. This dinner-and-concert venue serves up soul, jazz, Latin, and rock music. Entry is free and the atmosphere is fantastic.

The Coulée Verte René-Dumont

Created by landscape architect Jacques Vergely and architect Philippe Mathieux, the Coulée Verte René-Dumont is a linear park that follows the route of the former Vincennes railway line. Stretching 4.5 km, it runs from Place de la Bastille all the way to the ring road, passing along the Viaduc des Arts.

Infos pratiques

Tips

Not far from the Bastille neighborhood lies Père-Lachaise cemetery. Why not visit Père-Lachaise in the afternoon before heading to Bastille's lively little streets for evening drinks?

How to get there

The Bastille neighborhood is easily accessible by public transport. Metro lines 1, 5, and 8 all serve the "Bastille" station, which will take you right to Place de la Bastille. If you prefer the bus, many lines will drop you off on the square or nearby: 20, 29, 65, 69, 76, 86, 87, and 91. On the other hand, we don't recommend driving — parking spaces are scarce and expensive. And after your night out, there's no guarantee you'll find your car again.