巴士底狱是一座堡垒，既充当着监狱，又充当着存放武器和驻扎士兵的要塞。它是令法国人深受磨难的专制君主制的一个强烈象征。当国王将受人爱戴的大臣内克尔解职后，它便成为了革命者的一个标靶——后者担心可能会出现军事镇压，国民议会遭到关闭。

    The insurgents invaded the H_tel des Invalides military hospital to seize weapons and then headed for the Bastille. The attackers were mainly seeking to acquire the large quantities of arms and ammunition stored there - on the 14th there were over 13,600 kg of gunpowder stored at the Bastille. The garrison, reinforced on the 7th, consisted of just 32 men of the Salis-Samade regiment together with 82 other staff and guards.

    反叛者冲入“荣军院”(军医院)抢夺武器 ......