Scale models of the Bastille

Following the fall of the Bastille on 14 July 1789 Palloy decided to take charge of its demolition, gaining official authorisation to do so on 16 July and completing work on 21 May 1791.

He set up a studio dedicated to producing them, initially carved from the stones, then mass-produced by casting a mix of stone powder and mortar.

[4] He offered the scale models to the départements at the end of 1790, sending with them other products and an "apostle of Liberty" (an association set up by Palloy himself), who would give a speech when the gifts were handed over.

[3][4] Scale models were also offered to government ministers, to Louis XVI and to foreign dignitaries such as George Washington (his is still on display at Mount Vernon).

The scale models were around 40 cm high, 100 cm wide and 60 cm deep and were presented to the public at patriotic festivals[5] and contributed to turning the Bastille's fall into a republican myth and symbol of liberty/[3] Surviving examples include :