From history.com, Bastille Day:
“Bastille Day is a holiday celebrating the storming of the Bastille—a military fortress and prison—on July 14, 1789, in a violent uprising that helped usher in the French Revolution. Besides holding gunpowder and other supplies valuable to revolutionaries, the Bastille also symbolized the callous tyranny of the French monarchy, especially King Louis XVI and his queen, Marie Antoinette.”
From the Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook, France:
“France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. It plays an influential global role as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, NATO, the G-7, the G-20, the EU, and other multilateral organizations. France rejoined NATO's integrated military command structure in 2009, reversing DE GAULLE's 1966 decision to withdraw French forces from NATO. Since 1958, it has constructed a hybrid presidential-parliamentary governing system resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier, more purely parliamentary administrations. In recent decades, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of a common currency, the euro, in January 1999. In the early 21st century, five French overseas entities - French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion - became French regions and were made part of France proper.”
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FAQs
Bastille Day or La Fête Nationale is a national holiday in France that celebrates French independence and the storming of the Bastille prison by citizens. This event would help spark the French Revolution and thus the Age of Revolutions across Europe. Our celebration will take place on Friday, July 14 from 5 to 9 pm.
What is July 14th Bastille Day? ›
Bastille Day, national holiday in France and its overseas départements and territories, marking the anniversary of the fall on July 14, 1789, of the Bastille, in Paris. Originally built as a medieval fortress, the Bastille eventually came to be used as a state prison.
In which year Bastille fell on 14th of July? ›
On July 14, 1789, fears that King Louis XVI was about to arrest France's newly constituted National Assembly led a crowd of Parisians to successfully besiege the Bastille, an old fortress that had been used since 1659 as a state prison.
What to do in Paris on July 14th? ›
You can gather on the Champ de Mars with a blanket and picnic to relax and enjoy free concerts before the fireworks, attend one of the popular Bals des Pompiers (Firemen's Balls), cruise down the Seine river while enjoying dinner and fireworks, or visit one of the many museums open for the occasion.
How do you say Happy July 14 in French? ›
Joyeux quatorze juillet! Happy July 14th! Note that when talking about holidays or birthdays such as in these instances, bonne (good) and joyeux (joyous) both roughly translate to "happy."
Why is Bastille Day so special? ›
“Bastille Day is a holiday celebrating the storming of the Bastille—a military fortress and prison—on July 14, 1789, in a violent uprising that helped usher in the French Revolution.
What is special about Bastille Day? ›
One of the revolutionary days in Paris and now a national holiday, the 14th of July ("Bastille Day") is celebrated with a mixture of solemn military parades and easygoing dancing and fireworks. The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789 has been commemorated in France for more than a century.
What do you say on Bastille Day? ›
There is no French equivalent to "Happy Bastille Day" – all you can say is, generically, Bonne fête ! And of course, there's also Vive la France ! (but try not to overuse it).
What did Bastille symbolize? ›
Therefore the Bastille symbolises the despotic rule of Louis XVI and became a symbol of social injustice, absolute monarchy and inequality.
Why is the 14th July important to France? ›
The 14th of July is the day of the national French celebration. Established in 1880, this date commemorates both the storming of the Bastille on the 14th July 1789, which ended absolute rule, and the Festival of the Federation of the 14th July 1790.
The fireworks were undoubtedly the best I have ever seen,and I was a Disneyland employee for 20 years and saw LOTS of fireworks. The light show on the Eiffel Tower was also impressive. All in all it actually was worth waiting for!
Is Bastille Day worth the visit? ›
For the ultimate summer party in France, visit over July 14: Bastille Day, the country's big national day. This summer holiday is celebrated with gusto, with all-night parties, picnics, and fireworks. And the fun permeates the country, from tiny towns to Paris.
Is Paris fun on Bastille Day? ›
Bastille Day is Paris' biggest national event. Think all-night parties in fire stations, fireworks over the Eiffel Tower, and military parades featuring the French President himself.
What food do the French eat on Bastille Day? ›
Some of the “traditional” Bastille Day foods you might see people eating around France include (but are certainly not limited to!) crepes, croissants and other pastries, brioche, bread and cheese, quiche, and maybe some nice wine with dinner.
What do the French say on Bastille Day? ›
There is no French equivalent to "Happy Bastille Day" – all you can say is, generically, Bonne fête ! And of course, there's also Vive la France ! (but try not to overuse it).
What happened during the storming of Bastille? ›
On the morning of July 14, 1789, hundreds of Parisians stormed the Bastille, a state prison, seizing 250 barrels of gunpowder and freeing its prisoners. The storming of the Bastille was a pivotal moment in the French Revolution, the violent result of a multitude of social, economic, and political crises.
What does Bastille mean in English? ›
any prison or jail, especially one conducted in a tyrannical way. a fortified tower, as of a castle; a small fortress; citadel.
