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View of Place de la Bastille in 1837 showing the July Column with scaffolding and the Elephant of Bastille to the right

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Elephant of the Bastille: Paris Historical Sites Guide - Visiting Hours, Tickets, and More

Date: 03/07/2025

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.

View of Place de la Bastille from the North in 1842 featuring the July Column and the Elephant statue in the background

Bronze sculpture of the Bastille Elephant in Paris

Steel engraving of a full-scale plaster model of the unbuilt bronze elephant monument at Place de la Bastille

Watercolor painting of the Elephant of the Bastille by Jean-Antoine Alavoine

Watercolor painting of the Elephant Fountain de la Bastille by Jean-Antoine Alavoine

Model of the elephant intended to adorn Place de la Bastille

Study drawing of the Bastille Elephant fountain project

Illustration from Les Misérables showing young Gavroche inspired by Napoleon the Great

Illustration from Les Misérables featuring the character Gavroche

Monumental Elephant Statue planned by Napoleon I for Place de la Bastille in Paris in 1808

Graphite pencil drawing of the underground entrance to the Canal de la Bastille in Paris

Drawing of monumental elephant fountain at Place de la Bastille with water jets, soldiers on horseback, and urban architecture

Anonymous engraving of the Fontaine de l'elephant at Place Bastille, Paris around 1812

Fountain of the Elephant in Paris, a historical abandoned project featuring an elephant statue with water fountain

19th century lithograph of L'Eléphant de la Bastille monument with wooden barriers and rats

The Elephant of the Bastille statue corroded by rats

Watercolor drawing of the Elephant Fountain at Place de la Bastille in Paris with a richly harnessed elephant carrying a golden throne on a palanquin

Watercolor architectural drawing of the Elephant Fountain at Place de la Bastille with an elephant adorned carrying a golden throne, surrounded by a water basin and urban scenery

Drawing of Canal Saint-Martin near Place de la Bastille in 1830 by Charles Nicolas Lemercier

Model of the bronze elephant fountain designed for Place de la Bastille, 1831

Historical illustration of Place de la Bastille in Paris, showing the area where the Bastille Prison once stood with the Colonne de Juillet monument

Historical map of Place de la Bastille urban design during the Consulate and Empire

Place de la Bastille in Paris in 1830 showing the area where the Bastille Prison stood, with the elephant statue in the background

Projet d'Éléphant architectural design for the Bastille by Jean-Antoine Alavoine

Architectural drawing of Elephant Fountain pedestal at Place de la Bastille

Architectural drawing of an elephant fountain with a pedestal and figures

Design drawing of a monumental bronze elephant fountain planned for Place de la Bastille

Historical etching of a fountain project for Place de la Bastille by Jean-Antoine Alavoine

19th century engraving showing two fountain designs: the Fountain Jaillissante du Marché Saint-Martin featuring putti supporting a basin with water jetting out, and the Fontaine de l'Eléphant with a harnessed elephant at the center.

Historical drawing of the Elephant Fountain project at Place de la Bastille with water jets from its trunk

View of the Canal de l'Ourcq under the Bastille Fountain in Paris

Historical Background
Visiting the Place de la Bastille Site
Cultural and Literary Significance
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Visuals and Media Suggestions
Additional Resources and Official Links
Conclusion and Visitor Recommendations

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

Additional Resources and Official Links

Conclusion and Visitor Recommendations

While the monumental Elephant of the Bastille no longer stands, its story is woven into the very fabric of Paris’s revolutionary and cultural history. The Place de la Bastille, crowned by the July Column and surrounded by vibrant neighborhoods, offers a uniquely layered experience for visitors—connecting the past and present through its monuments, museums, and bustling public life.

Visitor Tips:

Visit during early mornings or weekdays for a quieter atmosphere and optimal photography.
Join a guided walking tour to deepen your understanding of the site’s revolutionary and literary significance.
Take time to explore nearby attractions like the Opéra Bastille, Canal Saint-Martin, and the Marais.
Check accessibility options if needed; consult the RATP website for the latest metro station information.

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