The French Revolution Walk

Duration: 2 Hours (approximately)
Distance: 2.3 Miles or 3.7 KM
No Reservations Required Make a Reservation Back to Tours

The French Revolution Walk will enlighten you to the significance of one of the most important events in modern history. Relive the troubled times leading up to the storming of the Bastille prison, the capture of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, the Reign of Terror and the bloody results of the guillotine.

Tour Highlights

• 
  Bastille Prison

  The French Revolution officially began on July 14, 1789 as the citizens stormed the Bastille prison. The prison no longer exists and one of the Paris opera houses is found here along with a column honoring the 1831 Paris Commune. Our tour does not visit the location of the former prison, but we will discuss the event.

• 
  Les Invalides

  The French army used this building as an ammunition depot in the city. Revolutionairies scaled the moat and stole over 30,000 weapons that were used in the attack on the Bastille prison.

• 
  The Conciergerie

  This former prison sits on the Ile de la Cité and over 2,500 prisoners were sent to the guillotine from here. The most famous prisoners included Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVII. Later, Marie Antoinette's cell was converted into a chapel.

• 
  King Louis XVI

  King Louis XVI ruled from 1774 until 1793. His grandfather, King Louis XV, outlived his own son so the throne skipped a generation and Louis XVI became king at the age of 19.

• 
  Marie Antoinette

  Marie Antoinette was from Austria and married King Louis XVI at the age of 14. They were already second cousins, once removed. Their son, King Louis XVII, died at the age of 10 during the French Revolution.

• 
  Beheading of King Louis XVI

  King Louis XVI was beheaded in the current-day Place de la Concorde on January 21, 1793. He had been stripped of all titles and was guillotined in front of a large crown as simply citizen Louis Capet. The executioner testified that he had bravely met his fate.

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  Also see...

  ...the Tuileries Gardens, the Place de la Concorde, the Assemblée Nationale and discuss the Reign of Terror.