On the 14th, many of these soldiers joined the mob in attacking the Bastille, a royal fortress with large stores of arms and ammunition. Its governor, Bernard-René de Launay, surrendered after several hours of fighting that cost the lives of 83 attackers. Taken to the , he was executed, his head placed on a pike and paraded around the city; the fortress was then torn down in a remarkably short time. Although rumoured to hold many prisoners, the Bastille held only seven: four forgers, a lunatic, a failed assassin, and a deviant nobleman. Nevertheless, as a potent symbol of the , its destruction was viewed as a triumph and Bastille Day is still celebrated every year. In French culture, some see its fall as the start of the Revolution.
On the 14th many of these soldiers joined the mob in attacking the Bastille a royal fortress with large stores of arms and ammunition Its governor, Bernard-René de Launay, surrendered after seve,ral hours of fighting that cost the lives of 83 attackers. Taken to the , he was executed, his head placed on a pike and paraded around the city; the fortress was then torn down in a remarkably short time. Although rumoured to hold many prisoners the Bastille held only seven: four forgers, a lunatic, a failed assassin, and a deviant nob,leman. Nevertheless, as a potent symbol of the , its destruction was viewed as a triumph and Bastille Day is still celebrated every year. In French culture, s.ome see its fall as the start of the Revolution.