Elephant of the Bastille

Introduction

The Place de la Bastille in Paris, once the site of the infamous Bastille prison, became home in the early 19th century to one of the city’s most ambitious and enigmatic monuments—Napoleon Bonaparte’s Elephant of the Bastille. Though the original colossal bronze elephant was never realized, its full-scale plaster model reigned over the square for more than 30 years, transforming a locus of revolution and tyranny into a symbol of imperial vision and shifting national identity. The monument’s story is one of grand ambition, decay, and enduring cultural resonance, immortalized in literature and the collective memory of Paris. Today, while the elephant itself is gone, the Place de la Bastille remains a vibrant historical and cultural hub, marked by the July Column and surrounded by sites that invite exploration and reflection on France’s tumultuous past.

This guide provides a comprehensive look at the Elephant of the Bastille’s history, its significance in Parisian and French culture, and practical information for visitors—including access, hours, tickets, tours, and nearby attractions. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, literature lover, or simply curious about Paris’s layered urban tapestry, this resource will enrich your understanding and experience of one of the city’s most storied locations.

For further context, see: Geri Walton’s Fountain of the Elephant, DBpedia’s Elephant of the Bastille entry, and the Wikipedia page on Place de la Bastille.

Historical Background

Napoleonic Vision and Origins

Following the storming and destruction of the Bastille prison in July 1789—a seminal event in the French Revolution—the site became a powerful symbol of liberty and revolutionary fervor (Neatorama). In 1808, Napoleon Bonaparte conceived an audacious plan to erect a monumental bronze elephant at the Place de la Bastille. The elephant, to be cast from cannons seized from his enemies, was intended both as a fountain and as a testament to military triumph and the transformative promise of peace (DBpedia; Geri Walton). The design included an internal staircase in one leg, leading up to a furnished howdah (a platform atop the elephant’s back), marrying practical access with imperial grandeur.

Construction and Challenges

Napoleon’s decree in 1810 set an ambitious timeline, with Dominique Vivant Denon overseeing the project and architects Jacques Cellerier and later Jean-Antoine Alavoine responsible for its realization. Initial work included the construction of vaults and waterworks, but after Napoleon’s defeat and the subsequent collapse of his regime, funding and political will evaporated. Only a full-scale plaster model, completed in 1814 by sculptor Pierre-Charles Bridan, ever stood in the square—a striking, temporary structure meant to guide eventual bronze casting (Geri Walton).

The Plaster Elephant’s Role and Demise

The enormous plaster elephant, 24 meters high and with a spiral staircase inside one leg, became a permanent fixture of the Place de la Bastille for over 30 years. Intended as a triumphant centerpiece, it gradually fell into disrepair, its decaying form becoming the subject of ridicule, complaint, and ultimately, literary immortality. Residents criticized the structure for attracting vermin, and its dilapidated state symbolized both unfulfilled ambitions and the impermanence of political regimes (Geri Walton; DBpedia).

Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables captured the elephant’s melancholy, describing it as “melancholy, sick, crumbling, surrounded by a rotten palisade…”—a fitting metaphor for revolutionary hopes left unfulfilled (DBpedia).

Demolition and Legacy

By the 1840s, the neglected elephant was condemned as a public health hazard. It was demolished in 1846, and local legend claims its destruction unleashed a swarm of rats upon the neighborhood (Geri Walton). Today, the July Column (Colonne de Juillet), constructed to honor the Revolution of 1830, occupies the elephant’s former pedestal, continuing the tradition of commemorative public monuments at the site (DBpedia).

Despite its physical absence, the Elephant of the Bastille endures in Parisian memory and global culture—as a symbol of ambition, failure, and the layered meanings embedded in public space (Wikiwand).

Visiting the Place de la Bastille Site

Location and Access

• Address: Place de la Bastille, 75011 Paris, France
• Nearest Metro: Bastille (Lines 1, 5, 8); also accessible by bus and bike.
• Map: View Place de la Bastille on Google Maps

Visiting Hours and Ticket Information

• Hours: The Place de la Bastille is a public square open 24/7.
• Tickets: No ticket required to access the square or the site of the former elephant.

Guided Tours and Events

• Walking Tours: Many guided tours of Paris’s revolutionary and literary history include the Place de la Bastille and discuss the story of the Elephant. Some specialized tours focus on Les Misérables or the French Revolution.
• Events: The square often hosts concerts, markets, and public gatherings, especially on Bastille Day (July 14).

Accessibility and Visitor Tips

• The area is wheelchair accessible, with smooth pavements and accessible metro station exits (though check for elevator availability on the RATP site).
• Early mornings and weekdays are best for quieter visits and photography.
• Cafés, shops, and public Wi-Fi are abundant in the surrounding district.

Nearby Attractions

• July Column (Colonne de Juillet): The current monument at the heart of the square, with a necropolis beneath.
• Opéra Bastille: A modern opera house offering performances and guided tours (operadeparis.fr).
• Square Henri-Galli: Park with remnants of the original Bastille fortress.
• Marais District: Historic neighborhood with museums, boutiques, and cafés.
• Canal Saint-Martin: Picturesque canal ideal for walks and cruises.
• Place des Vosges: One of Paris’s oldest planned squares.

Cultural and Literary Significance

Symbolism and Urban Memory

Napoleon’s elephant was conceived as a symbol of imperial might and the transformation of arms into peace—yet its eventual decay turned it into a metaphor for the fleeting nature of power and the complexities of revolutionary legacy (Wikiwand; Heimduo). Its story mirrors Paris’s continual urban reinvention, from the Bastille’s fall to the July Column’s rise.

The Elephant in Literature and Art

Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables immortalized the elephant as a shelter for the street urchin Gavroche, turning the decaying monument into a symbol of both abandonment and resilience (Nevsedoma). The elephant’s image, both as an artistic subject and a literary metaphor, continues to appear in modern adaptations, historical illustrations, and scholarly discussions (Bonjour Paris).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I visit the Elephant of the Bastille today?
A: The original elephant was demolished in 1846. The Place de la Bastille is open to visitors, featuring the July Column and historical plaques about the site.

Q: Are tickets required to visit Place de la Bastille or the July Column?
A: No, both are public monuments with free access.

Q: How do I get to Place de la Bastille?
A: Take Metro Lines 1, 5, or 8 to Bastille station, or use bus/bike options.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, many walking tours focus on the French Revolution, Les Misérables, and Paris’s monuments.

Q: What else can I see in the area?
A: Explore the Opéra Bastille, Canal Saint-Martin, Square Henri-Galli (Bastille remains), the Marais, and Place des Vosges.

Visuals and Media Suggestions

• Historical illustration of the Elephant of the Bastille (alt: "Historical illustration of the Elephant of the Bastille monument")
• Photo of the July Column (alt: "July Column at Place de la Bastille, Paris")
• Photo of Opéra Bastille (alt: "Opéra Bastille, a cultural landmark in Paris")
• Interactive map of Place de la Bastille and nearby attractions