Bastille Fortress Model at the Archives Nationales

Behold the Bastille! You can see this model at the Archives Nationales.

Built in the 1300's to defend the east side of Paris from possible attacks. A century later, the fortress later occasionnally served as a prison for important prisoners.

Among its famous prisoners, the Bastille could proudly claim the names of Voltaire, the Marquis de Sade and the infamous "man in the iron mask"...

The fortress was deemed so secure, King Henry IV even stored the gold of the state there in the 1600's. On 14 July 1789, there was no gold, only 7 prisoners, but most importantly, there was gun powder and amunition...