The Panthéon in Paris, France

Under Paris skies

We’re looking out over a Parisian skyline for Bastille Day, the national day of France, which marks the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille prison on 14 July 1789. That dome in the upper right portion of this photo is not the Bastille (which was destroyed), but another building caught up in that explosive moment of French history - the Panthéon. Construction of the building began in 1758, it was intended to be a church and its design was meant to evoke the ancient Pantheon in Rome. But by the time it was completed, the French Revolution was in full swing and the new establishment decided that it should instead be used as a mausoleum for distinguished French citizens, which it remains today.

Incidentally, the French don’t call it Bastille Day – that’s a name given in English-speaking countries. In France it is referred to simply as ‘le quatorze juillet’ (14th of July) or "la Fête Nationale".