Bastille, France

Bastille Hotels

The Bastille was built as the Bastion de Saint-Antoine during the Hundred Years’ War. The Bastille originated as the Saint-Antoine gate, but from 1370–1383 this gate was extended to create a fortress to defend the east end of Paris and the Hôtel Saint-Pol royal palace. After the war, it was reused as a state prison, with Louis XIII the first king to send prisoners there.

One of the most mysterious prisoners that the Bastille held was the Man in the Iron mask. The first official report of this prisoner was written by the Officer-in-Charge of the main tower of the Pinerolo or Pignerol Fortress, Benigne d’Auvergne de St-Mars. At that time, January 1665-April 1681, there were five prisoners under St-Mars’ control and one of these is believed (by the German historian Dr. Wilhelm Broecking) to have been ‘The Man with the Iron Mask’.

The fate of the mysterious prisoner — and the extent of apparent precautions his jailers took — created much interest and many legends. Contemporary claims about his identity included that he was a Marshal of France; or Oliver Cromwell; or François de Vendôme, Duc de Beaufort. Later ones included James, Duke of Monmouth; Armenian patriarch Avedick; the playwright Molière; and the unacknowledged older or twin brother of Louis XIV.

His death was sudden and unexpected, so rapid in fact that the prison chaplain had not been able to perform the last rites. The name – Monsieur de Marchiel – was entered into the register and his burial cost 40 livres (old pounds). The original death certificate was kept at the City Hall in Paris until 1871 when it, and the building, was destroyed in a fire. His final resting place was St. Paul’s cemetery in Paris.

Those planning on visiting Paris and looking for more history about the Bastille should check here for more information.  Bastille hotels worth looking into include Classics hotel Bastille and the Holiday Inn Paris Bastille.