Bastille Day, or La Fête Nationale as they say in France, is celebrated to commemorate the importance of the storming of the Bastille, an ancient royal fortress in Paris.
On the morning of July 14, 1789, the people of Paris confiscated weapons from Les Invalides and then marched towards the medieval prison. After a bloody encounter, the crowd broke into the Bastille and released the seven prisoners held there. This event symbolizes the end of absolute monarchy and the beginning of the French Republic.
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| La prise de la Bastille by Jean-Pierre-Louis-Laurent Houel |
The Fête de la Fédération (Feast of the Federation) was held the following year on July 14, 1790, to celebrate the first anniversary of the insurrection.
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| Cadets of the École Militaire Interarmes marching down the Champs-Élysées. © Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commonsons |
Today, the national holiday is celebrated in France by everyone. The festivities include food, music, dancing, fireworks and the grand military parade down the Champs Elysees with French jets flying overhead. The parade is the oldest and largest military parade in the world and is led by the President of France. It starts at the Arc de Triomphe and ends at the Place de la Concorde.
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| The Patrouille de France's Alpha Jets © Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons |
Families and friends then gather together for a lavish midday feast and conclude the celebrations with fireworks and dancing. Villages across France host their own parades and street parties with plenty of champagne and fireworks.
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| Fireworks in Paris Source |
Joyeux Quatorze Juillet!
Lolo & MImi
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