Although the fortress had held only seven prisoners (four forgers, two noblemen kept for immoral behaviour, and a murder suspect) the Bastille served as a potent symbol of everything hated under the Ancien Régime.
Walaupun hanya menahan tujuh tahanan (empat pencuri, dua bangsawan yang ditahan karena tindakan tak bermoral, dan seorang tersangka pembunuhan), Bastille telah menjadi simbol kebencian terhadap Ancien Régime.