Built around 1370 as part of the defences of Paris, the structure was converted into a prison in the 17th century by Charles VI, housing mainly political prisoners, but also religious prisoners, 'seditious' writers, and young rakes held at the request of their families. It began to acquire a poor reputation when it became the main Bourbon prison for those taken under lettres de cachet.

By the late 18th century the building was made up of eight close-packed towers, around 80 feet high, surrounding two courtyards and the armoury. The prisoners were held within the five- to seven-storey towers, each having an room around 15 feet across and containing various articles of furniture. The infamous cachots - the oozing, vermin-infested sub-surface cells were no longer in use. The governor of the prison was given a daily allowance per prisoner, the amount depending on their status - from nineteen livres per diem for scientists and academics down to three for commoners. In terms of standards there were many worse prisoners in France, notably the other Parisien jail, the dreaded Bicêtre. However, in terms of popular literary accounts, the Bastille in paris was a place of horror and oppression - a symbol of autocratic cruelty.

The former location of the fort is currently called the Place de la Bastille, and some of the remains (although not at their original location) are still visible nearby.