<P> The square is home to concerts and similar events . The north - eastern area of Bastille is busy at night with its many cafés, bars, night clubs, and concert halls . </P> <P> As a consequence of its historical significance, the square is often the site or point of departure of political demonstrations, including the massive anti-CPE demonstration of 28 March 2006 . </P> <P> The Bastille was built between 1370 and 1383 during the reign of King Charles V as part of the defenses of Paris, the structure was converted into a state prison in the 17th century by Richelieu, who was king Louis XIII's chief minister . At that time it primarily housed 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 prison for those taken under lettres de cachet issued by the King of France . </P> <P> By the late 18th century, the building was made up of eight close - packed towers, around 24 m (80 ft) high, surrounding two courtyards and the armoury . The prisoners were held within the 5 - 7 story towers, each having a room around 4.6 m (15 ft) across and containing various articles of furniture . The infamous cachots (dungeons), the oozing, vermin - infested subterranean cells were no longer in use, since the respective reigns of Louis XV and Louis XVI, who both worked on reforming the penal system in France . 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 prisons in France, including the dreaded Bicêtre, also in Paris . However, in terms of popular literary accounts, the Bastille was a place of horror and oppression, a symbol of autocratic cruelty . </P>

When was the place de la bastille built