Bastille Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Bastille. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Paris Local Districts and Stories Off-the-Beaten-Track Guided Bike Tour

• Private Tour Paris 3 Hours in Vintage Citroën 2CV

• Paris: Cruise on The Canal Saint Martin and The Seine River

• Guided Cruise The Old Paris on Canal Saint Martin

• Paris Private Full Day Tour—Louvre and Sainte Chapelle Tickets

There’s no cost to visit the Bastille district or the Place de la Bastille, a historic area in central Paris. However, there are some ticketed attractions here, such as the Opéra Bastille. Guided tours of the opera theater (in French only) cost €20 for adults, with discount prices available. For a guided walking or biking tour of central Paris neighborhoods, including the Bastille, expect to pay upwards of US$55 for a half-day tour.

Yes, the Bastille is definitely worth visiting. While the infamous Bastille prison, which was at the center of the French Revolution, was destroyed long ago, the modern-day neighborhood contains monuments, the Place de la Bastille, and other attractions that make it worth spending some time. You can visit independently or on a guided tour to learn more about Parisian history.

Per one customer who booked the Paris Local Districts and Stories Off-the-Beaten-Track Guided Bike Tour, "Highly recommend! Our tour guide, Jude, was very personable and shared fascinating information. Perfect pace and a great value! I would do it again and again! Thank you for this wonderful opportunity!"

Yes, there are guided tours of the Bastille neighborhood, and many Paris tours spend time in this part of town. Popular options include self-guided tours that focus on the neighborhood’s architecture, as well as food tours that take you to local markets to sample food and wine.

It depends. If you’re into nightlife, consider coming in the evening, when the area’s many shops, bars, and restaurants are at their most bustling. For sightseeing, a daytime visit is a better plan. Come on a Thursday or Sunday morning to experience the twice weekly Bastille Market.

Yes, there are lots of dining options near the Place de la Bastille and in the Bastille neighborhood, in general. Streets with a high concentration of restaurants include the Rue de Lappe and the Rue de la Roquette, though you’ll find great places to eat throughout the neighborhood.

The easiest way to get to the Bastille from central Paris is by taking lines 1, 5, or 8 of the Paris Metro to the Bastille Metro Station. Buses also stop at the station, including numbers 29, 87, and 91—as well as night buses N02, N11, and N16.

Yes, there are special events held at the Place de la Bastille and in the surrounding area. The most popular is Bastille Day (July 14), which celebrates the French Revolution. There are also outdoor concerts during the annual Fête de la Musique, which usually takes place on June 21.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting the Bastille. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Paris:

• Eiffel Tower

• Louvre Museum

• Notre-Dame Cathedral

• River Seine

• Musée d'Orsay

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Paris.