Published July 13, 2024 — By French teacher David Issokson with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier
La Bastille — Meaning and Pronunciation
La Bastille translates to “the Bastille” and most commonly refers to the former fortress and prison in Paris that was stormed on July 14, 1789. In modern French, la Bastille can also refer to the Place de la Bastille, the famous Paris square built on the site of the former prison. The Bastille remains an important symbol of the French Revolution and the fight against royal authority.
The IPA pronunciation of la Bastille is /la bas.tij/ (IPA), which sounds like “lah bah-steey.”
Example Sentences
La Bastille était une ancienne prison à Paris.
The Bastille was a former prison in Paris.
La prise de la Bastille a eu lieu le 14 juillet 1789.
The storming of the Bastille took place on July 14, 1789.
La place de la Bastille est un lieu célèbre à Paris.
Place de la Bastille is a famous place in Paris.
La Bastille est un symbole important de la Révolution française.
The Bastille is an important symbol of the French Revolution.
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👉 Next lesson: Celebrate Bastille Day by learning la Marseillaise, the national anthem of France!
Related words and expressions
- la prise de la Bastille — the storming of the Bastille
- le 14 juillet — Bastille Day / July 14
- la Révolution française — the French Revolution
- une prison — a prison
- un prisonnier — a prisoner
- une forteresse — a fortress
- prendre d’assaut — to storm
- un symbole de liberté — a symbol of freedom
- la place de la Bastille — Place de la Bastille
- la fête nationale française — French National Day
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