La Colonne

How many monuments hold the remains of revolutionaries? Right here at La Colonne de Juillet, that’s exactly what lies beneath our feet. This soaring bronze column, standing tall in the Place de la Bastille, isn’t just a beautiful landmark. It’s a tomb, a monument, and a symbol of the turbulent history of France. La Colonne de Juillet commemorates the Trois Glorieuses, the “three glorious” days of July 1830. These three days of revolution toppled Charles X and ushered in the reign of Louis-Philippe. The column itself is a marvel of engineering, comprised of twenty-one bronze drums, weighing over 74 tonnes. Atop the column stands the gilded Génie de la Liberté, the “Spirit of Freedom,” holding a torch and broken chains. But the story doesn’t end there. Beneath the column, in a specially constructed columbarium, lie the remains of over 600 revolutionaries who died during the 1830 uprising. Later, nearly 200 more victims of the 1848 revolution joined them. The column we see today wasn’t the first monument planned for this spot. Napoleon envisioned a grand fountain topped by a massive bronze elephant. The base of that elephant fountain still exists, now serving as the foundation for La Colonne de Juillet. Interestingly, some mummies from Egypt’s campaign, initially housed in the Louvre’s basement, were mistakenly transferred here along with the remains of the 1830 insurgents, and they still rest beneath La Colonne. La Colonne de Juillet witnessed more than just its initial revolution. During the 1848 revolution, Louis-Philippe’s throne was burned at the column’s base. The column also played a significant role during the Paris Commune of 1871, serving as a rallying point for both sides of the conflict. Even rumors of attempts to destroy La Colonne circulated, highlighting its symbolic importance. So, as you stand here, gazing up at La Colonne de Juillet, remember, you are not simply admiring a monument. You are standing on a piece of history, a silent testament to the struggles and sacrifices that shaped modern France.