bastille day essay in french

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Bastille Day in French: Learn the Language, History and Traditions of the French National Holiday

“Allons, enfants de la Patrie: le jour de gloire est arrivé!” — “Let’s go, children of the fatherland: the day of glory has arrived!”

You’ve probably heard these famous lyrics from “ La Marseillaise , “ France’s national anthem, which is sung for Bastille Day celebrations.

The revolutionary spirit of the song is perfect for this national holiday, which was born out of one of history’s most turbulent periods : the French Revolution.

If you want to join in on the Bastille Day celebrations, I’ve put together a guide to understanding what the holiday is, how to celebrate it and most importantly, how to talk about Bastille Day in French !

Names for Bastille Day in French

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You’ll notice that there’s no French translation listed below for “Bastille Day.” That’s because the French don’t call it Bastille Day ! English-speaking countries are the ones who adopted the term, so you shouldn’t use it when speaking in French.

Instead, you can say:

Bastille Day is a great way to have some fun while brushing up on your French !

For starters, you can practice your reading skills by checking out some French-language articles about the history of Bastille Day in French, like this short article .

If you’re an upper-level French learner, try this more extensive historical article on L’Internaute .

For audio-visual learners, here’s a very informative French video about Bastille Day by Pratiks:

If you really want to embrace Bastille Day, you could learn the French national anthem by listening to the song and memorizing the lyrics, which might surprise you —they’re quite graphic!

You could even  go all-out by throwing a Bastille Day party with your friends! You can cook French food, fly the French flag and speak in French during the celebration.

Bastille Day honors the Fête de la Federation (Festival of the Federation) , which occurred on July 14, 1790, exactly one year after the Bastille prison in Paris was stormed by unhappy citizens.

The storming of the Bastille was one of the major events that began open rebellion in France in the summer of 1789, and it triggered the French Revolution.

Interestingly, the Bastille only held seven prisoners on the day it was stormed. and the act was a symbol of ending the power of the monarchy—since the prison was often used to hold those who opposed the royals. Perhaps even more importantly, the rebels needed to seize the large amount of gunpowder and cannons housed inside.

In the end, the leaders of the rebellion decided to demolish the prison to show that the monarchy’s hold over France was finished. Pieces of the Bastille were eventually sold as souvenirs, and the Marquis de Lafayette actually gave the prison’s key to George Washington as a gift . You can even see it on display today at Mount Vernon in New York State.

This important historical day was commemorated a year later with the Fête de la Federation , although with an effort to focus on unity as opposed to the bloodshed of the rebellion . A century later, July 14th became the French national holiday that’s celebrated today as Bastille Day.

If you’re interested in learning more about the storming of the Bastille and the French Revolution, Jacobin Magazine and Origins both have very detailed articles on the subject.

People in France have found many ways to celebrate this commemorative day. For starters, Bastille Day is a French national holiday , so most people have the day off work, shops and businesses are closed and there’s generally a relaxed, holiday feel to the day.

Many people attend parades, the biggest being the famous annual military parade in Paris .

Others spend the day with family, having picnics, going to restaurants and hosting parties.

There are also often special discounts or free access to certain national museums, events and other historical sites on Bastille Day.

Finally, and perhaps most popular of all, is to go out at night, attend concerts and watch fireworks. The biggest celebration is a classical concert by the Eiffel Tower leading up to fantastic fireworks show above the iconic monument:

With all the excitement from reading about Bastille Day, you may have decided you want to learn the language. If so, consider checking out FluentU . This innovative language learning program uses authentic videos with embedded subtitles to help people learn French while watching entertaining videos, such as music videos, movie trailers and news clips—in other words, you learn while watching videos that you’re probably already watching anyway!

Now that you’re all set to celebrate one of the biggest French holidays, I wish you a joyeux 14 juillet  (happy July 14th)!

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Bastille Day in France : La Fête Nationale !

If you’ve ever been in France in mid-July, you may have noticed boisterous celebrations and parades, not to mention more than the usual amount of French flags and fireworks. This is because Bastille Day , France’s national holiday, takes place on July 14th, or le 14 juillet .

In this post, we’ll cover the history of Bastille Day and what it commemorates, as well as how the French celebrate it and talk about it in French. Allons, citoyens – let’s dive in!

This article is brought to you by LingoCulture, Where you can get unlimited private French classes via Zoom with native teachers for a flat monthly rate. It’s the closest thing to immersion you can get without living in a French-speaking country. Click here to learn more.

History of Bastille Day

Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris on July 14th, 1789. This event marked a critical juncture in the French Revolution, ultimately leading to the abolition of French feudalism and the establishment of the First Republic.

Civil unrest had been brewing for years under the reign of Louis XVI, as the result of an economic crisis and resulting rising food prices. This economic crisis was caused by a number of factors, including France’s role in the American Revolution, taxation, and low harvest yields throughout the 1780s. Societal turmoil increased as troops were called into Paris and as high-ranking officials were dismissed from office, most notably the finance minister Jacques Necker, dismissed on July 11th, 1789.

On July 14th, 1789, a crowd stormed the Hôtel des Invalides (a military complex) for weapons. Later that same day, another crowd descended upon the Bastille, a Parisian prison-fortress that served as a symbol for the monarchy. This prison was known for holding inmates jailed by unappealable royal letters that did not indicate the reason for imprisonment. Revolutionaries seized control of the Bastille in the evening, after a battle that had begun mid-morning.

Immediately following the capture of the Bastille by revolutionaries, members of the nobility began to flee France. Throughout the country, other towns and cities began installing their own local governments and militia, disregarding the previously-ironclad royal authority. In August 1789, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was formally adopted, which served as the first step towards a democratic constitution for France. Several years after the pivotal battle at the Bastille, the monarchy was officially replaced by democracy.

In 1880, nearly one hundred years after the storming of the Bastille, July 14th was officially declared the French national holiday . At the time, patriotism and military prowess were emphasized, a tradition that has continued ever since. Indeed, in the aftermath of World War I and World War II, Bastille Day has been celebrated with extra vigor and joy.

What is Bastille Day today?

Nowadays, Bastille Day  is celebrated much like the American national holiday, the 4th of July.

It’s common for French workers to have this day off, but not legally required for employers. As both holidays take place mid-summer, you’ll often find celebrations outside in the form of military parades, barbecues, and fireworks. The traditional military parade in France marches down the Champs-Elysées in the morning, beginning at the Arc de Triomphe and ending at the Place de la Concorde.

While there are no specific foods eaten on  Bastille Day , it’s not uncommon to see people indulging in typical French foods such as cheese, bread, pastries, and wine. Finally, just before midnight, there is a spectacular fireworks display at the Eiffel Tower. If you’re planning on visiting France in mid-July, be prepared for road closures and raucous celebrations. Brush up on what French people are and aren’t like, especially in relation to French stereotypes .

Outside of Paris, fire stations in many towns are host to un bal des pompiers (the firemen’s ball). This tradition dates back to 1937, when a group of partygoers followed firefighters on their way back to the fire station after a Bastille Day parade. Some military demonstrations like flyovers can be viewed around the country, as well as historical reenactments. Certain areas organize community meals, known as repas citoyens or repas champêtres . These public gatherings often include music, dancing, and games, as well as the meal itself.

Interestingly, France is not the only place in the world that celebrates Bastille Day , despite its decidedly Parisian origins! Certain Francophone countries, including Belgium and Canada, host Bastille Day celebrations each year. Former French colonies, including Pondicherry in India, French Polynesia, and New Orleans in the United States, also take part in July 14th festivities. If you’re curious about other holidays celebrated in France, check out our post on holidays .

How to talk about Bastille Day in French

When talking about this holiday, the French do not say Bastille Day . In fact, the name Bastille Day was coined by English-speaking countries. In France, the French refer to this day as le 14 juillet (the 14th of July) or as la Fête nationale française (the French national celebration). To wish someone a happy Bastille Day  in French, you can say Bonne fête nationale !

When discussing Bastille Day in French, there are many ways to express your thoughts and engage in conversations about this important national holiday. You may wish to discuss the historical significance of the day, talking about La Révolution française (the French Revolution) and la prise de la Bastille (the storming of the Bastille). Perhaps you’ll want to talk about the symbols and emblems of France, such as la Marseillaise (the French national anthem), le tricolore (a name for the three-colored French flag), or the national motto Liberté, égalité, fraternité (liberty, equality, fraternity). Be sure to mention the défilé (parade) on the Champs-Elysées and the feux d’artifice (fireworks).

Other activities worth mentioning include les pique-niques (picnics), les bals populaires (dances), and la musique (music). Of course, you’re sure to hear the popular expression Vive la France !  If you’re planning to attend a celebration, be sure to brush up on useful vocabulary, such as how to say “Cheers!” in French  and how to greet people in French .

Bastille Day is a vibrant celebration of French history, unity, and national pride. With its roots deeply embedded in the French Revolution, July 14th was chosen as the French national holiday in part because of its significance as the date of the storming of the Bastille in 1789.

Today, Bastille Day is celebrated with a wide variety of festivities and traditions, including military parades, fireworks displays, picnics, and dances.

By learning and using key vocabulary terms such as le 14 juillet and Bonne fête nationale , you can actively participate in conversations with others about this national celebration. Whether you attend a friend’s picnic, attend a dance, or partake in French delicacies at a café, Bastille Day festivities offer a unique blend of historical remembrance and joyful merriment.

So, embrace the spirit of this iconic holiday, join in the festivities, and raise a toast to the lasting values of liberté, égalité, and fraternité that Bastille Day represents. Vive la France !

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What Is Bastille Day? Everything Culture-Savvy French Learners Need To Know

When you learn French , you inevitably learn something of the history, culture and customs of France and other French-speaking countries.

At the same time, you need to learn about these cultural points of reference to understand and communicate properly with French speakers.

So, as a French learner, you’ll definitely need to know what is Bastille Day, and why it's a momentous day in French history.

To help you, I've put together this guide to everything you need to know about French independence day. By the end, you'll know all about the history of the event, and what on earth firemen have to do with it. Plus you'll know how to talk about it to French people.

So, let's get into it!

By the way, if you want to learn French fast and have fun while doing it, my top recommendation is  French Uncovered  which teaches you through StoryLearning®.

With French Uncovered you’ll use my unique StoryLearning® method to learn French naturally through story… not rules. It’s as fun as it is effective.

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When Is Bastille Day?

Bastille Day takes place each year on 14th July, the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille in Paris.

The official name for it in France is  La Fête nationale. But most people refer to it simply as le 14 juillet .

What Is Bastille Day?

Bastille Day is the French national day. It's a national holiday in France and French people celebrate it with much enthusiasm in the capital and throughout the rest of the country.

You won't hear French people say ‘Bastille Day’ though. That's the term English speakers use!

To help you understand the significance of Bastille Day, let’s start by looking at the history behind the event and some Bastille Day trivia.

• What was the Bastille?
• Why was its storming so significant?
• And why does it deserve such extensive commemoration?

What Happened On July 14th – Bastille Day?

In the late 18th century, following several costly conflicts, France was nearly bankrupt. This meant ordinary people had to pay a lot of taxes. Poor harvests and inadequate infrastructure had also led to an increase in food prices. So this was a time of great hardship for many.

Back then the country was an absolute monarchy. But revolutionary ideas about justice and equality were in the air. And representatives of the common people had created a National Assembly.

Against this background of popular unrest due to food shortages and high taxes – and fears about the crushing of the National Assembly – festering discontent culminated in the storming of the Bastille in Paris by an angry mob on 14th July 1789.

The Bastille was a medieval fortress, prison and armoury dating back to the 14th century that held political prisoners. Many of them were sent there on orders issued in lettres cachets.

These were letters the king signed that locked people away summarily and without trial for an indefinite period. As such, the Bastille was a potent and hated symbol of the tyrannical and arbitrary power of the crown.

By 1789, due to the high costs of maintaining a garrisoned medieval fortress, there were only seven prisoners left in addition to gunpowder and weapons. And these were of more interest to the attackers.

Many people believe that the fall of the Bastille was the catalyst that launched the French Revolution , which resulted in:

• the eventual abolition of the monarchy
• the creation of France as a republic
• the spread of new revolutionary ideas encapsulated by the French motto liberté, égalité, fraternité (‘liberty, equality, fraternity’).

The French Revolution was a momentous occurrence with profound effects reaching far beyond France. Many feel it's one of the most important events in the whole of human history.

July 14th Celebrations Throughout The Years

On July 14th, 1790, the year after the storming of the Bastille, the event was remembered at the Champ de Mars , then well outside of Paris, at a commemoration known as the Fête de la Fédération. It was a celebration of the French nation, the founding of the Republic and the success of the Revolution.

When Napoleon came to power in 1799, he was uncomfortable with the revolutionary connotations of the festivities. So he transformed the day into a military parade. After, with Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo in 1815 and the restoration of the monarchy, the event came under suppression. During this period, celebrating 14th July became a kind of underground act of defiance against the monarchy.

After the establishment of the Third Republic in 1870, semi-official celebrations of the storming of the Bastille began to take place again. In 1880, the French government wanted to create a new national day for the country, and several dates were proposed.

Although the choice of July 14th was an obvious one, it was also seen as problematic to root the national day in the events of bloody rebellion that took place at the Bastille. Instead, it was decided that the day would jointly commemorate July 14th 1789 and the Fête de la Fédération of 1790 which celebrated the unity of France.

So it was that from that time, July 14th became cemented as France’s day of national celebration.

The Military Parade

One of the most important aspects of the modern Bastille Day festivities is the military parade in Paris. This parade is among the oldest regular military parades in the world and is also the largest in Europe. It has taken place in Paris every year since 1880 – except during the occupation of the Second World War when it took place in London.

It sees military hardware, soldiers and sometimes civilians troop past the French president and French officials as well as a number of foreign dignitaries in attendance as guests. There's also a flypast and a TV broadcast of it. One of the common traditions of Bastille Day in French homes is to watch the parade on television.

This is the same parade that famously so impressed visiting US president Donald Trump in 2017 that he vowed to better it with his own military parade in Washington. But, it seems Trump was slightly missing the point.

Unlike parades that were once common in the Soviet Union and that now take place in countries like Russia, China or North Korea, the French military parade on July 14th isn't supposed to be an overt show of military might.

Instead, the French military parade is an expression of patriotism and citizenship. In some years, units from other countries are also invited to take part, demonstrating France’s perception of its role on the world stage and its commitment to the wider international order.

The parade has also previously included children who released doves. Members of the Paris Fire Brigade traditionally appear in the last part of the parade. They're technically a part of the French military but hardly a particularly martial unit.

In this way, the military parade in Paris is more of a celebration of peace than an expression of war.

What Else Happens On Quatorze Juillet?

Apart from the military parade, many other events take place in the capital and throughout the rest of the country to mark the French national holiday.

You'll find free musical performances, concerts and other entertainment. And many people also enjoy communal meals where they eat food outside in large marquees.

Another tradition is that of the bal des pompiers , the ‘firefighters’ ball’. These are dance parties that take place in fire stations throughout Paris as part of the celebrations.

Finally, in the evening, the sky above the Eiffel Tower lights up when the spectacular fireworks go off. The best place to see them is the Champ de Mars, now, of course, well within the city limits.

Various institutions celebrate in a range of other ways. For example, in 2019, you can

• visit the permanent exhibitions of the Louvre museum for free
• go to a free concert at the Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac
•  visit The Panthéon for free
• check out the activities at Paris Plage (Paris Beach)
• or head to Disneyland Paris to take advantage of a special discount.

Like any national day in any country, French people may feel more or less patriotic about the 14th of July. While many will certainly feel a sense of national pride, others may simply enjoy the free entertainment and take advantage of having a day off work to spend time with family at home or to go out for a picnic.

How To Talk About Bastille Day In French

If you have the chance to visit, a trip to France during the July 14th celebrations will be unforgettable!

You'll be able to:

• enjoy the free entertainment
• witness the spectacular firework display at the Eiffel Tower
• practise your French with the many people in the streets celebrating their nation and its history

Here are a few useful vocabulary items related to the Bastille Day celebrations.

• Le 14 (quatorze) juillet – Bastille Day (the French don’t call it ‘Bastille Day’)
• La Fête national – Bastille Day (another way of referring to the event)
• Défilé militaire du 14 juillet – The Bastille Day military parade in Paris
• Spectacle de feu d’artifices – Firework display
• Bal des pompiers – Firefighters’ dance
• La tour Eiffel – the Eiffel Tower
• Drapeau – flag
• Liberté, égalité, fraternité – Freedom, equality, fraternity (France’s national motto)

Ready For Bastille Day?

So there you have it – now you know the answer to your question ‘what is Bastille Day', some Bastille Day traditions and more besides.

Now you know how to refer to it with French people (not as Bastille day!), how the event got started and how it's celebrated in Paris and all around France.

So all that's left to do is book your trip and find a nice spot on the Champ de Mars to admire the fireworks from.

With the new vocabulary you've learned, you'll be able to strike up a conversation with the French people around you and soak up the atmosphere of this very special day in the French calendar.

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End of the French Revolution: Bastille Day in France

Each year, the French commemorate the end of the French Revolution and the storming of the Bastille fortress. Called Bastille Day everywhere but France itself, this holiday is France’s national day and possibly the most significant public holiday in the country.

By learning about Bastille Day, France’s history and culture will become more clear to you. And as any successful language-learner can tell you, studying culture is a step you can’t miss if you hope to master the beautiful French language.

At FrenchPod101.com , we hope to make this learning experience both fun and effective!

1. What is Bastille Day?

The nation remembers the storming of the Bastille (otherwise known as the Bastille Day attack) on this holiday, which took place in 1789 during the French Revolution. For this reason, the word Bastille is often associated with our national day, though French people never actually call it “Bastille Day.”

1- The Bastille

Bastille was a fortress and an arsenal destined to defend the East of Paris, which later became a prison by the Cardinal Richelieu .

The storming of this structure on July 14, 1789, symbolizes the French Revolution as a major event of the people’s revolt, the initiation of today’s nation. The first edition of the national day in 1790 was named “the federation party” during this era. It represented the reconciliation of the French by the monarchy constitution under Louis XVI .

The federation party was considered a happy ending to the French Revolution, which lasted ten years with the proclamation of the First Republic under Louis XVI.

Napoléon Bonaparte succeeded him with the establishment of the First Empire at the beginning of the 19th century.

2- Bastille Day History

The true origin of the current national holiday is found in the historic facts of the Republic. It took root with two events at the end of the 19th century.

The first one was the official national day on June 30, 1878, to celebrate the Republic. A painting of Monet exposed in the Museum of Orsay redraws this event in the Montorgueil street situated in the second district. The second celebration unfolded itself July 14, 1879; this one was more popular and semi-official to celebrate the revolution of the French people.

These two marking days resulted in a law proposition in 1880 to establish July 14 as the national day. The senate accepted July 14 to represent the storming of the Bastille Fortress, instead of August 4 to honor the end of the feudal system from the Roman Empire and promoting the strength of the lords by their land.

2. When is Bastille Day?

Bastille Day is celebrated in France each year on July 14.

3. Reading Practice: Bastille Day Celebrations

Do you know how France celebrates its national day? Read the French text below to learn about the Bastille Day parades and other traditions. Check your French reading skills with the English translation directly below it!

Chaque année depuis 1880, a lieu un défilé militaire à Paris, en présence du Président de la République. Les militaires sont à pieds, à cheval, en voiture ou dans des avions. Ils descendent l’avenue des Champs Élysées, la place de l’Étoile et vont jusqu’à la place de la Concorde, où ils saluent le président et son gouvernement. Ce défilé attire des milliers de Français. Ceux qui ne peuvent venir le voir à Paris le regardent à la TV. Les deux chaînes françaises qui diffusent cet évènement attirent des millions de téléspectateurs chaque année.

Le soir, les Français peuvent faire la fête puisque des bals sont organisés dans la plupart des villes. Ils ont le choix car différents styles de bals et de musiques sont proposés au sein même d’une seule ville. A Paris, le bal le plus populaire est le bal des Pompiers. Il est organisé dans la caserne même des pompiers et réunit des personnes de tous les âges, toutes les professions.

Le saviez-vous ? La plupart des Français ignorent que le 14 Juillet célèbre deux évènements. En général, ils pensent que c’est en la mémoire de la prise de la Bastille uniquement ! La Fête de la Fédération reste méconnue, même en France.

Every year since 1880, a military parade has taken place in Paris in front of the President of the Republic. The soldiers are on foot, on horseback, in vehicles, or flying in planes. They go down the Champs Élysées boulevard, the Place de l’Étoile, and all the way to Place de la Concorde , where they salute the President and his government. This parade attracts thousands of French people. Those who cannot come to see it in Paris watch it on TV . The two French channels that broadcast this event draw millions of viewers each year.

At night, the French have an opportunity to party, since dances are organized in most cities. They have a choice, as many different styles of dances and music are offered in each city. In Paris, the most popular dance is the Bal des Pompiers . It is organized in the firefighters’ actual firehouse, and brings people together of all ages and professions.

Did you know? Most French people don’t know that July 14 celebrates two events. In general, they think that it only celebrates the taking of the Bastille. The Fête de la Fédération remains little-known, even in France.

4. Fireworks in France!

On the evening of July 14, French people can see fireworks being set off in most cities. This is a tradition that has existed since the creation of this national holiday in 1880. In Paris, the Trocadéro fireworks alone bring together thousands of visitors.

5. Essential Vocabulary for Bastille Day

Here’s some vocabulary you should know for Bastille Day in France!

• Roi — “King”
• Fête nationale — “Bastille Day”
• Révolution française — “French Revolution”
• Cocarde — “Cockade”
• Bourgeoisie — “Bourgeoisie”
• Sans-culottes — “ Sans-culottes “
• Révolutionnaire — “Revolutionary”
• Noblesse — “Nobility”
• Noble — “Noble”
• Monarchie — “Monarchy”
• Guillotine — “Guillotine”
• Prise de la Bastille — “Storming of the Bastille”

To hear each vocabulary word pronounced, check out our French Bastille Day vocabulary list .

We hope you enjoyed learning about Bastille Day and its history with us! Did you learn anything new about France’s national day? What does your country’s national holiday look like? Let us know in the comments! We always look forward to hearing from you.

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What is Bastille Day and why is it celebrated?

Senior Lecturer, History, Flinders University

PhD candidate in Early Modern History, Monash University

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The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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French people travelling to or living in English-speaking countries are sometimes surprised when asked about their plans for “Bastille Day”: they refer to the day as Quatorze Juillet (14 July).

France’s National Day is not really about the storming of the Bastille, and the day’s English language name conveys a misleading image. But it gives us an interesting glimpse into how the English-speaking world imagines France’s revolutionary past.

The most common misconceptions about the French National Day are that it is a celebration of the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on July 14 1789, and commemorates the official beginning of the French Revolution .

It is, in fact, a far more complex story.

While English speakers refer to Bastille Day, in France the day is intimately related to a different historical event: the Fête de la Fédération (Festival of the Federation), a mass gathering held on July 14 1790.

In 1789, the people of Paris attacked the Bastille: a political prison, a symbol of the monarchy and an armoury. The citizens aimed to seize weapons, ammunition and powder to fight the royal troops stationed in the vicinity of Paris.

1790’s Fête de la Fédération was designed to inaugurate a new era which abolished absolutism and gave birth to a French constitutional monarchy.

Tens of thousands of people from all provinces converged on the Champ-de-Mars in Paris to attend a military parade led by Lafayette , a mass celebrated by Talleyrand , and a collective oath-taking culminating in short but rousing speeches from King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette.

It was not an annual event: simply a day to herald in a period of national unity.

Less than three years later, the king and queen’s heads would meet the guillotine’s blade and the constitutional monarchy was replaced with the French First Republic .

An ever-moving date

France has had many days of national celebration, each reflecting the politics of its time.

Napoleon I (Emperor from 1804 to 1814) declared citizens should celebrate August 15: the date of his name day and of the Assumption of Mary.

Under the Restoration (1814-1830), the regime celebrated its kings on their name days: Louis XVIII (1814-1824) on August 25 and Charles X (1824-1830) on May 24.

The July Monarchy (1830-1848) under Louis-Philippe I celebrated its birth in the heat of the “ Three Glorious Days ” of July 27 to 29 1830.

The Second Republic (1848-1852) adopted May 4, the first meeting of the National Constituent Assembly in 1848. Another new political regime celebrated itself once again.

Under the Second Empire (1852-1870), Napoleon III returned France’s national day to August 15: his name day.

In a little less than a century, France changed its national day half a dozen times.

New symbols for a new era

The disastrous and humiliating defeat France suffered against Prussia in 1871 led to the fall of Napoleon III and the advent of the French Third Republic , which needed its own new symbols.

For almost 15 years, there was fierce conflict between partisans of a monarchy and those in favour of a republican regime. The memory of the French Revolution became one of their main battlegrounds, and the choice of a national day an object of dispute.

Read more: Friday essay: what is it about Versailles?

Some advocated for July 15, the name day of the last Bourbon pretender, Henri, Count of Chambord , in the hopes of an imminent restoration.

Left-wing radicals pushed for January 21, the anniversary of Louis XVI’s beheading in 1793.

Others wanted to celebrate the Tennis Court Oath , which signalled France’s rupture with feudalism on June 20 1789.

In the spring of 1880, politician Benjamin Raspail submitted a motion to declare July 14 the national day: a date shared between the Fête de la Fédération — a symbol of unity for the right — and the left-oriented image of the storming of the Bastille.

Thanks to the ambiguity of the date, the motion was passed into law — without specifying which Quatorze Juillet was to be commemorated. Raspail’s motion received the parliament’s approval based on the connection to the Fête , but the question of meaning was left open.

Bastille Day Today

Quatorze Juillet inextricably embodies the curious and divisive legacy the French Revolution carries for the French. Beneath the veneer of celebrations, the question of the intrinsic nature of the Revolution and whether its goals — Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité — have been achieved is often relegated to the background.

It isn’t a day for reflection or politics. It is a day of leisurely family activities and celebrations, adorned with a lavish military parade displaying French power on the Champs-Elysées. In the evening, fireworks and popular dances known as Bal des pompiers (the Firemen’s Ball) take place throughout the country.

It is a time for fraternal celebrations, very much the ambition of the original Fête de la Fédération . References to the storming of the Bastille are invisible or near-invisible. The Revolution is seldom mentioned in the presidential interview.

Symbols of the 1789 Revolution are still the subject of contradictory interpretations and public controversy, as the recent Yellow Vests movement has shown. It is precisely this carefully maintained ambiguity in Quatorze Juillet which has enabled its endurance as France’s National Day: it can mean many things to many people.

The French can project their own understanding of what is being celebrated. They can choose between the storming of the Bastille and the people; the Fête de la Fédération and national unity; and everything in between.

Or they can simply enjoy a day off and admire the fireworks with their friends and family, oblivious to the complex story behind July 14.

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Almost every country has a national celebration, generally chosen to commemorate an anniversary deemed particularly influential and solemn, and nothing is more revealing about a country’s past than the decisions made surrounding this day and how they have changed with the times.

►  Behind the scenes of the parades | The French people meet their armed forces

Storming of the Bastille, painting by Jean-Pierre Houël (1735-1813). Source: public domain

In France, the 14th of July – le quatorze juillet , or Bastille Day as it is known in the English-speaking world – commemorates the nation’s shift from a monarchy to a republic and symbolises the fraternal union of every region of France and all French citizens with liberty and equality. An incarnation of national unity, today it combines ceremonious military parades with public dances and fireworks.

14 July 1789: The storming of the Bastille

“-But is it a revolt? -No, Sire, it’s a revolution!” Breteuil to King Louis XVI

The history of the 14th of July begins, of course, with the storming of the Bastille on 14th July, 1789. The rioters, feeling threatened by the king’s troops, came to look for weapons at the Bastille and stormed the prison, seen as a symbol of absolutist power. The 14th of July 1789 marks the first expression of the French people’s wish to obtain their liberty and civic emancipation. Yet the revolutionaries did not stop there; through the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, they rendered the Revolution universal.

The Fête de la Fédération panorama Source: public domain

14 July 1790: The Fête de la Fédération

On 14th July 1790, the Fête de la Fédération held just as much symbolism that day as the year before.   This first anniversary celebrated at the Champ de Mars in the presence of King Louis XVI was attended by 30,000 people visiting from all over France. Everybody swore to be forever faithful "to the Nation, to the Law, to the King." The feast day above all showed an aspiration for a new union and a revision of the Nation, based on the values of 1789 and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

The Revolution and the world

The French Revolution set off a wave of reactions around the world. For the first time, the man in the street was at the frontline and the new Republic was founded on this principle. In the colonies, the Declaration of the Rights of Man implied the emancipation and abolition of slavery. In Europe, it signalled the start of a new era of emancipation. The Napoleonic conquest, in spite of its abuses, also propagated throughout Europe the ideas of liberty and equality and the right to self-determination.

The political victory of 18 Brumaire (November 1799) followed by the great military successes of spring 1800, prompted the First Consul to designate the 14th of July as a celebration of concord and conciliation. The 14th of July 1799 was no longer the day of ‘liberty’ but was renamed the day of concord. In 1800, the consular guard paraded from the Tuileries gardens to the Champ de Mars. It celebrated not the Storming of the Bastille but the 10th anniversary of the Federation and was centred around the victorious Republican army. 1801 saw the first change to the festivities taking place on the 14th of July. The location was moved from the Champ de Mars to between Place de la Concorde and the far end of the Champs Elysées. In 1802, the 15th of August became a special celebration – St Napoleon’s Day – celebrated with a Te Deum at Notre Dame. The following Bastille Days held less and less significance until, in 1805, the 14th of July was no longer even commemorated.

The Restoration

After 1814, the restored Bourbons banned the 14th of July while ensuring the social conquests of the revolution were enshrined in the Constitution. The monarchic symbolism was based around the Feast of St Louis, on 25th August, and the legend of King Henry IV. Opponents to the monarchy—republicans, liberals and Bonepartists—continued to look to the 14th of July as a day of celebration.

The Trois Glorieuses (the French Revolution that took place on 27th, 28th and 29th July 1830) and the Revolution of February 1848 became part of a Europe-wide, national and liberal revolutionary movement. The expression "the United States of Europe" was uttered first by Victor Hugo who in 1850 declared: "A day will come when we shall see those two immense groups, the United States of America and the United States of Europe, stretching out their hands across the sea".

The Third Republic and the 14th of July 1880

It was not truly until the arrival of the Third Republic, in 1880, that the 14th of July became France’s national day of celebration. After long discussions and despite the tenacious opposition of their adversaries, the Republicans decided to adopt the date that symbolised the Third Republic’s attachment with the French Revolution and enshrined a regime. "Unique Article. - The Republic adopts the 14th of July as the day of its annual national celebration.

La remise des nouveaux drapeaux aux divers corps de troupe le 14 juillet 1880. Source: Musée de l'Armée

The 14th of July in 1880 allowed the Republicans to combine the reference to the French Revolution and patriotism (reinstatement of the army’s flags). The period that followed saw France rebuild its military forces and resist Germany and, for some, prepare the reprisal. Political differences gradually waned despite flaring up in times of crisis (Boulangism, the Dreyfus Affair).

The 14th of Julys towards the end of this century were some of the most sumptuous ever celebrated in France before. The military review, held in Longchamp, gradually became the centrepiece of the ceremony. The streets around the towns were decked with flags while the festivities culminated with public dances and fireworks. During this period, a number of symbolic events that took place are worth noting: In 1889, for example, the country celebrated the centenary of the French Revolution combined with the success of the Universal Exposition. The construction of the Eiffel Tower perpetuated this memory.

  Before 1914

On the eve of the First World War, despite the ideological differences and oppositions that persisted (notably the emergence of the socialist movement), a certain unanimity progressively brought the nation together. Republican France, proud of its past and the efforts of recovery undertaken over the preceding 40 years, confronted the trials ahead in a spirit of national cohesion.

1914-1918, the 14th of July and the First World War

The ‘Great War’ showed the French fighting almost unanimously to defend their fatherland, which was for many inseparable from the Republic. The soldiers heading off to war believed it would be last time such a cataclysm would take place. Charles Péguy, who fell in September 1914, wrote about his departure for the front: "I leave, a soldier of the Republic, in favour of the general disarmament and the end of war".

Many of the men who enlisted in France left with the idea that the war would be short-lived, a belief they shared with their enemies. In actual fact, the conflict would be nothing of the sort. Amongst these events, the 14th of July during the Great War was a moment for an armed France to express, in the sacred union, its desire to defend itself against the invader. In this fight for the Republic, the memory of ‘An II’ (1793 and 1794) and the great ancestors was called to mind, notably on 14th of July 1915, marked by the transfer of the ashes of French army office Claude Josephe Rouget de Lisle to the Invalides, alongside Napoleon, in the ‘Caveau des Gouverneaurs’. The procession started at the Arc de Triomphe, descended the Champs-Élysées and crossed the Seine to arrive at the Invalides. On this date, the heart of Gambetta was also moved to the Pantheon.

Following the Armistice of 11th November 1918, the main peace treaty that concluded four years of global warfare was signed in Versailles on 28th June 1919. The humiliation of 1871 was symbolically "washed away". The humiliation of 1871 was symbolically "washed away". Furthermore, it was decided that a victory parade would be held on the 14th of July 1919.

The victory celebrations in Paris – 14th July 1919 – The parade – Place de la Concorde. Source: postcard

The Fête de la Victoire

"Qui a vu ce jour a vécu" (Who saw that day survived) said Clemenceau to Marshal Pétain, on the evening of the 14th of July 1919.

On 14th July 1919, the French army paraded, accompanied by the allied forces’ detachments. At the head of the parade, two men symbolised this victory: Marshals Joffre and Foch. Both war heroes represented France’s will to resist invasion and fight for victory.

The victory celebrations in Paris – 14th July 1919 – Marshals Joffre and Foch. Source: postcard

The administration of the Académie des Beaux-arts, in charge of decorations, transformed the Concorde-Étoile junction into the Triumphal Way with an antiquity-themed décor featuring burning urns dedicated to the battered towns and Gallic roosters perched on rows of German cannons, masts, standards, badges, pylons and garlands of foliage. This parade paid homage to a thousand individuals killed by war, symbols of the sacrifices made by the French people. Next, all the allied armies paraded in alphabetical order in a procession that lasted for three hours. Led by Pétain, the French army closed the parade.

For the participants and the spectators who represented French public opinion, on this day France wanted to show, through the sacrifices made and the harsh warfare that would enduringly mark the flesh and spirit of its fatherland, the triumph of the democratic Republic over the attempted enslavement of its nation by the German empire.

The Victory celebrations in Paris – 14th July 1919 – The parade - Tanks. Source: postcard

The interwar period

Between the two world wars, victorious France rapidly became disillusioned. The war losses had left their mark on the French people. Patriotism was accompanied by a peaceful, even pacifist, spirit. At the same time, the prosperity that changed into economic crisis and the dangers that re-emerged in Europe caused division, in some cases seriously, among the French. Some rejected the ideas expounded in 1789 while others rediscovered the force of the country’s revolutionary past. The French left strongly reasserted the origins of democracy and the Republic.

On 14th July 1936, the Popular Front enjoyed a jubilant victory when it signed the Matignon Agreements. At Place de la Nation, Daladier saluted "our great ancestors who, by their sacrifice, earned the right to inscribe at the French borders: The land of liberty begins here!"

The 14th of July 1939 celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille. Threatened by external dangers, France celebrated the day as a symbol of national unity under the illusion of seeing the “world’s finest army” parade.

In a message addressed to France on 14th July 1939, the President of the Republic, Albert Lebrun, proclaimed the lessons learned by the Federation: "May this great evocation bestow us with the strong will to defend the fatherland with all our force, to maintain and pass on to our children the values of liberty and equality, and to live closely and fraternally unity in a free, generous and strong community…"

1940-1945: From the abyss to newfound liberty

France’s defeat in 1940 provided an occasion for some, in a climate of chaos, to radically challenge the Republic and the values it upheld. Marshal Pétain’s government named the 14th of July as a day of remembrance for the nation’s mourning.

The French government that was established under Pétain’s authority founded its national revolution on duty and hierarchy. The regime made do with the defeat and the national debasement that they believed to be definitive. Its aim was to create an ideal France linked with the nation’s past prior to 1789 while agreeing to be accepted into Nazi Europe.

The country witnessed a radical transformation of its repository of symbols. Work Family Fatherland replaced Liberty Equality Fraternity. The Gallic helmet replaced the Phrygian bonnet and the francisc the bundles of the lictors on stamps and official medals.

However, General de Gaulle called for the fight to continue. "The 14th of July does not only mark the great pain of the fatherland. It is also the day of a promise that every French person must make by every means at their disposal, to resist the enemy, momentarily triumphant, so that France, the real France, can be present in the victory". De Gaulle laid a wreath at the statue of Marshal Foch, in London, and inspected the first contingents of the French Free Forces.

London, 14th July 1940, General de Gaulle inspecting the first volunteers of the Free French Forces. Source: SHD

For de Gaulle, France had merely lost the battle. The war was a world war. The general sought to re-establish France’s independence and greatness. This battle, at first on a national scale, encompassed the fight to restore the Republic’s values of liberty and fraternity. For General de Gaulle, it had never ceased being so and the Vichy regime was thus invalid. The resistors also took up the tradition of fighting for an oppressed nation and the values of human dignity against the Nazi regime that sought to negate all forms of humanism. During the occupation, the 14th of Julys, especially those in 1943 and 1944, were the opportunity for the general population to celebrate victory and liberty.

The victory of 1945

“More than ever a national celebration since France is celebrating its victory at the same time as its liberty" General de Gaulle, 1945

The 14th of July 1945 was in fact a three-day celebration filled with public rejoicing. The eve of 13th July was a solemn celebration. A splendid flash of lightening burst out under the Arc de Triomphe.

14th of July celebration 3p.m. Paris. Tracked vehicles at Place de la Bastille. Photo MINDEF/SGA/DMPA  

This 14th of July, as memorable as this day in 1919, allowed the nation to establish the triumph of its democracy over the Nazi dictatorship. Along the procession route, thousands of people came to applaud the French and the British and American allies. The parade travelled from Place de la Nation to Place de la Bastille and then continued on to the Arc de Triumphe. The troops were then inspected by General de Gaulle. The press described the fête de la fédération celebration as the “celebration of the first resistance”.

14th of July celebration 3p.m. Paris. Aerial display at Longchamp. Photo MINDEF/SGA/DMPA  

The Fourth Republic

During the Fourth Republic, the 14th of July continued to be commemorated as a tribute to liberty and emancipation, but also as a celebration of the army, engaged in two world wars that sprang from the tragic process of decolonisation. some feared and condemned the anti-colonialist stance they considered to be a “selling off” of the Empire and France’s greatness in the face of “communist subversion”, while others, remembering the values of emancipation upheld by French Revolution, notably symbolised by the 14th of July, wished to see the end of these colonial wars and the start of independence for the colonised populations.

The Fifth Republic

The government’s instability provoked by the Algerian war brought General de Gaulle back to power and founded the Fifth Republic.

The 14th of July in 1958 and in 1959 were designed to dazzle. France, while being allied to the United States, wished to assert its identity and its independence. On the 14th of July in both years, heavy arms were paraded for the first time. The procession became a showcase of French military power.

The national celebration then adopted a political aspect opposing the parties on the left with those on the right. Two celebrations overlapped, a Gaullist 14th of July and another anti-Gaullist. The two 14th of Julys in 1958 and 1959 referred to the national celebrations of the past. The right and the left claimed to be followers of the “legend” of the 14th of July. So, on the one hand, the years 1789 and 1936 were used as references to combat the Gaullist power. While on the other, to 1789 and above all the Federation to encourage the citizens to come together in support of the head of State.

President Giscard d'Estaing attempted to symbolically recover certain 14th of July traditions, in particular by re-establishing the parade route from Bastille to Republique.

The arrival of François Mitterrand to the Presidency of the Republic in 1981 and above all the celebration of the bicentenary of the French Revolution of 1789 brought back a spirit of revival to 'Bastille Day' by exalting the founding values which, born in France, were now proclaimed by a Europe in construction and, more generally, by western civilisation. This was supported by the presence of the President of the US and European and African leaders to the ceremonies of the 14th of July 1989.

To an international 14th of July: 14th of July today

Parade of 14th July 2006 – Republic guard cavalry (75) Source: Photo Jacques Robert

The 14th of July today is considered a symbol of national unity founded on the shared values upheld by the Republic. It is also the occasion to applaud these values in peace with our European friends and those who share a common history with us. Thus, on the 14th of July 1994 the Eurocorps joined the procession and on the 14th of July 1999, to celebrate the year of Morocco, King Hassan II attended the parade which also saw a detachment of the Moroccan guard participate.

After being a symbol and a theme of history, the 14th of July is today a representation of the values of liberty, equality and fraternity or, in brief, of human rights and dignity.

Bibliography

Publications

Les lieux de mémoire, Sous la direction de Pierre Nora, Quarto Gallimard, 1997

Les 14 juillet, fête et conscience nationale. 1789-1975, Rosemonde Sanson, collection tradition et le quotidien, Flammarion 1976

Histoire des 14 juillet 1789-1919, Jean Pierre Bois, édition Ouest France Université, Rennes 1991

La République en fête : les 14 juillet, Pascal Ory, catalogue de l'exposition Bibliothèque Publique d'Information. 2 July- 6 October 1980

Le 14 Juillet, Lucien Vogel, Paris, Office française d'édition, 1945

Images de La Révolution, Jean Garrigues, éditions DuMay-BDIC, 1989

Le Dictionnaire critique de la Révolution française, F. Furet et M. Ozouf, Flammarion 1988

L'histoire de la Révolution Française, Jules Michelet, 1847

Histoire Socialiste de la Révolution Française, Jean Jaurès, 1924

Le premier 14 juillet de la République, 1880  Mona Ozouf, L'Histoire n°25, Juillet-Aout 1980

Commemorative sites

• Arc de Triomphe

Vive la République!: 14 French Words for Bastille Day

This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access .

Give credit where credit is due. Though this may be difficult to do if one does not know where to give said credit. Many modern languages spoken have roots in multiple other languages, English being a prime example. Phrases like Bon appétit and Touché are widely used by many English speakers, and most would know that such words and phrases are French in origin. Though perhaps there are a few words in use that have become so commonplace that the knowledge of their origin is forgotten. So in honor of Bastille Day, here are fourteen French words and phrases commonly used in the English language.

Blasé (bläˈzā)

Just saying such a word invokes the idea of how indifferent and unimpressed one could be at almost anything imaginable. And anything unimaginable will soon be blasé as well, given time.

Cliché (klēˈSHā)

Perhaps mentioning the word cliché is a cliché of itself, however, clichés are clichés for this very reason and should not be overlooked in mentioning, lest that in of itself is a cliché.

Déjà vu (dāZHä 'voo)

A phrase and experience that has caused many people to furrow their brows. Just what is déjà vu? Is it an actual phenomenon? Can it be proven by science or logic? And does anyone ever spell it correctly on their first try?

Entrepreneur (äntrəprəˈnər)

To say one is an entrepreneur does in fact make them so in a way just by saying it. Because there is no greater risk to one’s livelihood than to mention the idea that one does take risks that are even riskier than normal risks.

Façade (fəˈsäd)

With its fancy spelling, one might not see past the surface and realize that such a word is really not so fancy after all since its origins lay in the fact that it merely means “face” in French.

Genre (ˈZHänrə)

A simple word that has been applied to so many different fields, disciplines, and subcategories. Perhaps the only thing that really ties them all together is the idea that they can be unified at all.

Hors d’œuvre (ôr ˈdərv)

Considering the fact that the literal French translation comes to “outside the work,” it is rather ironic to think that such dishes are not given nearly as much credit for something that is an added bonus.

Impasse (imˈpas)

When there is nothing to be done on either side, it would seem that they are at an impasse. Since the word impasse is the negative French conjuction for “pass,” perhaps all one would have to do is to find something positive to remedy the situation.

Liaison (lēˈāzän)

Three syllables long and three different meanings to make it all the more confusing than English. The word liaison could refer to one who is fostering communication between two separate organizations, the act of two people meeting in secret for risqué reasons, or an ingredient that thickens egg-based sauces.

Montage (mänˈtäZH)

How a word that stems from a verb that means “to mount” turned into a series of pictures and scenes, edited together to form a single smooth sequence seems almost impossible of itself. Though considering it is a French word and thus a Romance language in origin, the fact that it has turned into something that flows shouldn’t be too much of a surprise.

Protégé (ˈprōdəˌZHā)

When one is a protégé their status as an assistant or trainee is elevated immediately. Leave it to the French to make a title that originates from the word “protected” to be such a grand thing.

Reconnaissance (rəˈkänəsəns)

To hear the word reconnaissance tends to invoke images of military and spy work, all done with efficiency and elegance. Though why in such businesses that rely heavily on quick actions would they choose such a lengthy word to use is a bit baffling.

Sabotage (ˈsabəˌtäZH)

Another word commonly used in conjunction with the less than glamorous sides of life. For such an elegant word it does seem rather surprising that it would denote things being destroyed (sometimes in rather underhanded and ghastly ways).

Voilà! (vwäˈlä)

And . . . voilà! There you have it! Fourteen words commonly used in English that are of French origin. Now, go forth with new prestige and chic in your daily conversations. Go and celebrate this momentous French holiday with a good old fashion carnival !

(. . . Wait, is carnival an Italian word?)

Anna Hernandez has lived in almost every region of the US and studied multiple languages in her BA. She was an Assistant English Teacher while living in Japan for a year, putting her undergrad Japanese classes to good use. Currently, she is a WLT intern, working on her MA in library and information science from the University of Oklahoma.

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What is Bastille Day, and why is it celebrated?

French people travelling to or living in English-speaking countries are sometimes surprised when asked about their plans for “Bastille Day” – they refer to the day as Quatorze Juillet (14 July).

France’s national day isn’t really about the storming of the Bastille, and the day’s English-language name conveys a misleading image. But it gives us an interesting glimpse into how the English-speaking world imagines France’s revolutionary past.

The most common misconceptions about the French national day are that it’s a celebration of the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July, 1789, and commemorates the official beginning of the French Revolution .

It is, in fact, a far more complex story.

While English speakers refer to Bastille Day, in France the day is intimately related to a different historical event – the Fête de la Fédération (Festival of the Federation), a mass gathering held on 14 July, 1790.

In 1789, the people of Paris attacked the Bastille – a political prison, a symbol of the monarchy, and an armoury. The citizens aimed to seize weapons, ammunition and powder to fight the royal troops stationed in the vicinity of Paris.

1790’s Fête de la Fédération was designed to inaugurate an era that abolished absolutism and gave birth to a French constitutional monarchy.

Tens of thousands of people from all provinces converged on the Champ-de-Mars in Paris to attend a military parade led by Lafayette , a mass celebrated by Talleyrand , and a collective oath-taking culminating in short but rousing speeches from King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette.

It was not an annual event; simply a day to herald in a period of national unity.

Less than three years later, the king and queen’s heads would meet the guillotine’s blade, and the constitutional monarchy was replaced with the French First Republic .

An ever-moving date

France has had many days of national celebration, each reflecting the politics of its time.

Napoleon I (Emperor from 1804 to 1814) declared citizens should celebrate 15 August, the date of his name day and of the Assumption of Mary.

Under the Restoration (1814-1830), the regime celebrated its kings on their name days: Louis XVIII (1814-1824) on 25 August, and Charles X (1824-1830) on 24 May.

The July Monarchy (1830-1848) under Louis-Philippe I celebrated its birth in the heat of the “ Three Glorious Days ” of 27-29 July, 1830.

The Second Republic (1848-1852) adopted 4 May, the first meeting of the National Constituent Assembly in 1848. Another new political regime celebrated itself once again.

Under the Second Empire (1852-1870), Napoleon III returned France’s national day to 15 August, his name day.

In a little less than a century, France changed its national day half a dozen times.

New symbols for a new era

The disastrous and humiliating defeat France suffered against Prussia in 1871 led to the fall of Napoleon III and the advent of the French Third Republic , which needed its own new symbols.

For almost 15 years, there was fierce conflict between partisans of a monarchy and those in favour of a republican regime. The memory of the French Revolution became one of their main battlegrounds, and the choice of a national day an object of dispute.

Read more: Friday essay: What is it about Versailles?

Some advocated for 15 July, the name day of the last Bourbon pretender, Henri, Count of Chambord , in the hopes of an imminent restoration.

Left-wing radicals pushed for 21 January, the anniversary of Louis XVI’s beheading in 1793.

Others wanted to celebrate the Tennis Court Oath , which signalled France’s rupture with feudalism on 20 June, 1789.

In the spring of 1880, politician Benjamin Raspail submitted a motion to declare 14 July the national da,: a date shared between the Fête de la Fédération  – a symbol of unity for the right – and the left-oriented image of the storming of the Bastille.

Thanks to the ambiguity of the date, the motion was passed into law – without specifying which Quatorze Juillet was to be commemorated. Raspail’s motion received the parliament’s approval based on the connection to the Fête , but the question of meaning was left open.

Bastille Day today

Quatorze Juillet inextricably embodies the curious and divisive legacy the French Revolution carries for the French. Beneath the veneer of celebrations, the question of the intrinsic nature of the Revolution and whether its goals –  Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité  – have been achieved is often relegated to the background.

It isn’t a day for reflection or politics. It’s a day of leisurely family activities and celebrations, adorned with a lavish military parade displaying French power on the Champs-Elysées. In the evening, fireworks and popular dances known as Bal des Pompiers (the Firemen’s Ball) take place throughout the country.

It’s a time for fraternal celebrations, very much the ambition of the original Fête de la Fédération . References to the storming of the Bastille are invisible or near-invisible. The Revolution is seldom mentioned in the presidential interview.

Symbols of the 1789 Revolution are still the subject of contradictory interpretations and public controversy, as the recent Yellow Vests movement has shown. It’s precisely this carefully maintained ambiguity in Quatorze Juillet that has enabled its endurance as France’s national day. It can mean many things to many people.

The French can project their own understanding of what’s being celebrated. They can choose between the storming of the Bastille and the people; the Fête de la Fédération and national unity; and everything in between.

Or they can simply enjoy a day off and admire the fireworks with their friends and family, oblivious to the complex story behind 14 July.

This article originally appeared on The Conversation , and was co-authored with Romain Fathi from Flinders University.

• French Revolution
• French history
• Bastille Day
• Quatorze Juillet

Claire Rioult

PhD Candidate, Early Modern History, Faculty of Arts

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Bastille Day in France: Celebrating 14 Juillet in Paris

• Post category: French Holidays
• Post author: Nassie Angadi

Once upon a time, there was a revolution in France. The date was July 14, 1789, when the French people marched on the prison at Bastille in Paris, marking start of the fall of the monarchy, and the cry of “ Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité “.

Today “ 14 Juillet ” is an annual public holiday in France, a bit like Independence Day is in the United States. Anglophones may call it Bastille Day , but the French actually just refer to it as 14 Juillet or fête nationale .

Now, just for information, schools in France usually wrap up their exams, results, and school year in the first two weeks of July, so 14 Juillet usually marks the start of summer for everyone.

French vacationers decide if they are juilletistes or aoûtiens , the weather has started to get warmer, and just about everyone is ready for a public holiday and a few fireworks. So let’s get to the best things to do on Bastille day in France, aka 14 juillet, shall we? Allons-y!

Ways to celebrate 14 July in France

Since it is a public holiday, there are several events held all across Paris from 10am onwards. Obviously, you can decide to participate in as many as you want.

Most of the events don’t require a fee for entry, just plenty of patience and a willingness to get there early. The best events across Paris on Bastille day are:

1. Watching the Military parade on the Champs Elysées

The day is celebrated in Paris with a morning military parade around the Arc de Triomphe and on the Champs Elysées .

If you want to see army tanks, troops with weaponry, firetrucks, and other governmental units who are France’s first line of defense, this is the place to see it. With planes, helicopters, and fighter jets joining overhead, it is a sight to behold.

It usually starts around 10ish around the Arc de Triomphe, heading down the Champs Elysées towards the Place de la Concorde and ending in the military headquarters at Les Invalides .

The parade is held annually, with one other foreign country usually invited as a special guest to participate as a sign of friendship.

It can be a little strange to see full military gear marching down one of the most famous fashion avenues in the world, the Champs Elysées, but they are following in tradition. Everyone from Napoleon Bonaparte to Hitler to the Allied forces of WWII have marched down this illustrious avenue that has played such a symbolic role in French history .

If you do want a good spot along the parade route, I’d suggest being there at least by 8:30-9:00am.

2. Visit the Louvre Museum for free

The Louvre museum does not usually have free entry, unlike some of the other ones who offer free entry on the 1st Sunday of each month. If you are not sure what to do, this historical museum in the center of Paris is always a good way to spend a few hours.

Tickets are usually for timed entry for crowd control, so be sure to reserve your tickets a few days in advance.

Most of the other big museums like Musée d’Orsay , Palace of Versailles , etc. are usually also open, however do not offer free tickets. You can read more about visiting the Louvre here.

3. Go on a picnic along the quais of the Seine

As most of the restaurants outside the tourist zones are closed, you may want to have an easy French-inspired picnic instead.

Some of the nicest places to have a picnic are along the Seine river with family and friends. And if the weather is good, you can imagine that it is going to be popular.

From Pont Neuf on Ile de la Cité , Quai d’Austerlitz, and Point de Seine on Île Saint Louis , anywhere along the quai is a great way to enjoy the heart of the city. lux

Other favorite spots are around Canal Saint Martin , Jardin de Luxembourg , and Place Dauphine. You can read more about picnic spots around Paris here, and see what to pack here as well.

4. Take self-guided Revolution walking tour

Many of the events surrounding the French Revolution occurred right in the heart of Paris. If you have visited the Palace of Versailles before, you probably heard how Queen Marie-Antoinette and her family were brought to Paris during the Revolution.

Many of the monuments of significance during the Revolution are within walking distance of each other in the center of Paris. You can follow the following route:

• Angelina’s at 226 Rue de Rivoli – Start off by eating some cake at the historic tearoom, Angelina’s, the epitome of “gourmet pleasures”.
• Jardin des Tuileries – After cake , stroll through the Jardin des Tuileries which is just across the street. This was the site of a royal palace , the Palais des Tuileries , and it is in this palace that Marie-Antoinette, Louis XVI and their children were brought to after being forced to leave Versailles .
• Place de la Bastille – About a 20 minute walk away is the Place de la Bastille on the edge of the Marais , whereupon stood the ancient fortress prison of Bastille. There are no remnants of the fortress there today, but you can head over anyway if you enjoy a good walk.
• Conciergerie on Ile de la Cité – Cross Pont Notre dame (bridge) with its many carvings of kings and saints , and visit the Conciergerie on Ile de la Cité. The prison at the Conciergerie is where Marie-Antoinette was held in prison, put on trial, and found guilty. You can book a tour of the Conciegerie here.
• Place de la Concorde – After the Conciergerie, head over to Place de la Concorde, which is where Marie-Antoinette and King Louis XVI were guillotined. A large Egyptian obelsik marks the spot where they lost their lives.
• La Chapelle Expiatoire , 29 Rue Pasquier, 75008 – About 10 minute walk away is the Expiatory chapel. It was built on top of the cemetery where King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette were buried after their execution in 1793. Their bodies were moved to Saint-Denis Basilica outside of Paris, where other royal family members are buried, but the Expiatory chapel was built on this spot in the 8th arrondissement to commemorate the lives lost in the Revolution.

You can get an expanded version of the French revolution walking tour here.

5. Enjoy the concert at Champs de Mars

If you have enjoyed your day thus far, and are still keen to keep going, head over to the Champs de Mars in front of the Eiffel Tower for a full-orchestra classical concert. Featuring opera singers and the best classical musicians in France, you can sit on the grass with a picnic and enjoy.

Note: a lot of the metro stations in the area will be closed for the concert, and it does get quite crowded and there will be lots of security checks. So head there early, if you want to claim a good spot.

The concert will also be on France 2 television, so if you just want to just watch a portion of it and chill out, you can just catch it on tv 😉 It ends with the playing of the French national anthem , and a 30 minute fireworks show.

6. Dance at a Bal des Pompiers (Firemans’ ball)

If you want to enjoy a good folksy night out, instead of listening to classical music, you can head to a Bal des Pompiers. The firemans’ balls are usually held all across Paris near the different fire station casernes.

Entry is usually free or for a token sum of €2-3, and you can expect to hear local bands playing a lot of popular French songs , with the crowds singing and dancing along. You can find more information about the Bal des Pompiers across Paris here.

7. Take a dinner cruise to see the fireworks

Around 11pm a fireworks show takes place around the Eiffel Tower, as a finale to the classical concert, and the evening’s festivities.

A lovely way to see the fireworks, without being elbow-to-elbow with a big crowd is by taking a dinner cruise along the Seine, that gathers around the Pont de Grenelle and Eiffel tower around 11pm in order to let you have an unfettered view of the Eiffel tower.

Most of the dinner cruises involve a 3 course meal included in the price, with a glass of wine included. You can make reservations for a dinner cruise here.

Best Places to Watch the Eiffel Tower Fireworks

There are plenty of wonderful places to watch the fireworks at the Eiffel Tower , even if you don’t feel like a dinner cruise. Some of them are rather unexpected, because all you need actually is a good sightline from a high vantage point.

Since buildings in Paris are usually no more than 8-10 floors, you can usually see over them, even if you are a bit further away. Some of the best places to see the Bastille day fireworks in Paris are:

• Champs de Mars on the lawn in front of the Eiffel Tower, after the concert.
• Trocadéro,  across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower. This does get rather crowded, with a risk of pickpockets, but if you get a good spot, the view is great.
• Quais of the Seine: If you want to bring a bottle of wine and snack, along the quais of the Seine around Pont Alexandre III and Jardin d’Erivan are a good spot to see the fireworks.
• Bridges along the Seine : The bridges on near the Eiffel Tower will give you a good view, including Pont Alexandre III ,   Pont des Arts , and Pont de la Concorde . You can also try Pont de Grenelle-Cadets de Saumur on the far west side of the Seine for (slightly) fewer tourists.
• Montmartre and the Steps of Sacre Coeur perched high in the district of Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement .
• Park des Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th arrondissement has plenty of hills giving a clear view across the city. (Bonus: The Rosa Bonheur bar should be open to enjoy as well).
• Parc de Belleville in the 20th arrondissement is a much smaller park but is on a hill, and also offers great views of the city
• Tour Montparnasse with its panoramic restaurant on top will offer a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower up close.
• Grande Arche de la Defense has a rooftop terrasse and is near RER train line A, if you are looking for somewhere convenient to get to, without a lot of crowds. From there in La Defense , you should also be able to see the competing fireworks from nearby Puteaux that are reputed to be even longer than the ones in Paris.
• Hip and bobo:   Le Pechoir Marais ,  Pechoir Menilmontant ,  Café Oz Rooftop
• Luxurious near Eiffel Tower:   Terrasse de l’hôtel Raphael ,  Le Rooftop ,  Maison Blanche
• Central near Notre Dame de Paris:   43 Cocktail Bar

Note, I should mention that the lights and fireworks impressions of the Eiffel tower at night are actually considered artist intellectual property, and photos are not allowed for commercial use.

Is everything closed on Bastille day?

Yes, almost all offices, banks, pharmacies and grocery stores will be closed on Bastille day. Certain shops and restaurants in designated tourist zones may be open if they have received the appropriate authorizations. Certain grocery stores may be open until 12h-13h, although I would advise doing your picnic shopping earlier.

One thing to note is that the Paris metro will be closed around the military parade route in the morning, and around the Eiffel tower for the concert and fireworks show in the evening. You can check metro closings on the  RATP website .

What to eat and drink on 14 July in France?

French people don’t usually have a particular menu for Bastille Day, but some  champagne  will always be welcome.

If you are planning a picnic or an  apéro  with friends, try a  charcuterie  or  cheese plate , with a couple of bottles of  French wines . With some  baguettes , of course.

If you enjoyed that article, you may like to read more about other national holidays in France . A bientôt!

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Bastille Day

The origins and contested meanings of Bastille Day.

The Fourteenth of July is Bastille Day in France (and wherever there are Francophiles.) In France, the formal name of the holiday is La Fête nationale , and it marks the beginning of the Revolution on July 14, 1789, when Parisians stormed the fortress prison called the Bastille.

Only seven prisoners were actually in the Bastille that day, so the action by the revolutionary crowd was more symbolic than anything else, although nearly a hundred casualties resulted from the fight. According to Herrick Chapman , it is precisely the symbolism of Bastille Day and the Revolution which has remained “contested terrain” in France ever since.

“Unlike Americans,” writes Chapman, “who tend to view their revolution as an unproblematic part of their civil region, the French have continued to fight among themselves” over the meaning of their revolutionary heritage. Chapman concentrates on the period of the Popular Front to the Fourth Republic between 1935 and 1945.

Politics had everything to do with it. Chapman writes that Bastille Day was largely a conservative national and patriotic holiday, largely disdained by Socialists and Communists as nationalistic and militaristic, until the Popular Front came to power in 1935, when “the Left returned with particular gusto to the revolutionary tradition as a source of inspiration and legitimacy.”

As a result, the “Center and Center-Right felt compelled to ignore or evade the revolutionary origins of their republican regimes.” The latter half of this period also saw the Nazi invasion and occupation and then liberation by the Allies, setting the stage for battles over collaboration and Cold War-inflected politics in the second half of the century. A national consensus on the basis of the revolutionary tradition became impossible to achieve.

“Not until 1968 would large numbers of left-wing militants in twentieth-century France look to the Revolution for genuinely radical images of popular revolt, and when they found them would use them as weapons against both the Gaullist state and the Communist party.”

Chapman, who was writing on the event of the bicentennial of the revolution in 1989, wondered how that celebration would be done, how it would be used. That’s the question that should be asked about any and every national celebration, fete, or feast.

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Everything You Need to Know About Bastille Day

By Vicki Denig

Friends, fireworks, and copious amounts of food—sounds like the perfect Bastille Day to us! However, while you’ve likely heard of (and celebrated) Bastille Day before, do you actually know the history behind this famous French holiday? For starters, the famed day’s background is probably a bit more complex than you think, but not to worry, we’ve got it all condensed down in this five-minute, easy-to-skim read.

What Is Bastille Day?

Bastille Day is the anglophone name for France’s national celebration, which commemorates the Storming of the Bastille on July 14th, 1789, as well as the unity of the French population the following year.

What Is the History Behind Bastille Day?

By the late 18th century, France was greatly divided between the reformist and conservative parties, as well as was undergoing a severe economic crisis. When the finance minister under Louis XVI—who sided with members of the Third Estate who were in the midst of writing a constitution—was fired, the Parisian population was furious. Groups began to take matters into their own hands, even breaking into the Hôtel des Invalides to steal weapons, so as to revolt against the corrupt leadership.

On the same day, a group of people also stormed Bastille, which at the time, was used as a jail for prisoners’ whose crimes couldn’t be appealed—and often didn’t have reason for being incarcerated in the first place. At the time, only seven inmates were being held captive, but their release by the people via the jail’s storming made waves across the world. According to France’s official government website, the storming of the Bastille “signaled the first victory of the people of Paris against a symbol of the "Ancien Régime" (Old Regime).”

That same year (1789), plans were already being made for a national holiday to commemorate the victorious uproar and unity of the French people. The first Fête de la Fédération, a celebration of the great insurrection, was held on the same day the following year (July 14th, 1790), and included fireworks, wine, and a four-day feast.

© mikroman6

When Did Bastille Day Become Official?

Although Bastille Day was celebrated almost imminently after the storming (and for years to follow), the holiday was not made official until nearly one year later on July 6th, 1880. In May of that year, Benjamin Raspail proposed reviving the celebrations and making Bastille Day an official holiday, though some logistical issues still stood—under French law at that time, the storming of the Bastille was technically illegal. However, politicians agreed that the holiday would be based on a dual honoring of the Fête de la Fédération, as well as the storming of the Bastille, rather than acts of violence. 1880 also marked the first year of the military parade on Bastille Day, which has been held in Paris every year since (with the exception of 1940-1944 due to World War II and 2020 due to the COVID pandemic).

What Are Other Names for Bastille Day?

In French, Bastille Day is called the fête nationale , as well as le quatorze juillet (July 14th).

How Is Bastille Day Celebrated in France?

Bastille Day celebrations are held all over France, though the most famous commemoration is the annual military parade, which takes place in Paris on the Champs-Elysées. Parties featuring live music, dancing, and robust amounts of food and wine can be found all across the country, as well as festive firework displays.

Is Bastille Day in Other Countries?

Yes! Many countries around the world, particularly those with ties to France, celebrate Bastille Day. For example, the Belgian city of Liège has celebrated Bastille Day for nearly 100 years, commemorating the day with a dance festival and fireworks. In Canada, notable celebrations take place in Vancouver and Toronto. Within Europe, firework shows take place at Tivoli in Copenhagen, as well as on the banks of the Danube in Budapest. French-focused food festivals also occur in Prague, Dublin, and a number of other European cities. Elsewhere, noteworthy celebrations take place in India, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States.

Add a French Touch to Your At-Home Bastille Day Celebration

It’s no secret that the French love food and wine—and Bastille Day picnics are the perfect excuse to indulge. From Provençal rosé to favorite French cheeses , adding a touch of French flare to your at-home Bastille Day celebration is as easy as grabbing a French staple product at your local grocery store. For those who are more ambitious in the kitchen, check out a few of our favorite French-inspired summer recipes, here:

Strawberry and Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tart

Fig and Goat Cheese Toast

• Géraldine Leverd

Cherry Tomato and Fresh Goat Cheese Tartelettes Tatin

Where to celebrate bastille day in the usa:.

Many major US cities partake in some form of official Bastille Day celebrations, with smaller restaurants, wine bars, and markets hosting one-off festivities all across the nation. Head to the following celebrations below or reach out to French establishments in your neighborhood to see what they’ve got in store!

New York - Upper East Side - Street festival hosted by the Alliance Française on 60th Street between Madison and Fifth Avenues; street festival on Smith Street in Brooklyn

Baltimore - Annual celebration at Petit Louis (Roland Park)

Boston - Street festival in Back Bay (near Cultural Center)

Newport, Rhode Island - Celebration at King Park

Washington D.C. - Food festivals, music, and auctions hosted by the French Embassy

Dallas - Bastille on Bishop (Bishop Arts District in North Oak Cliff)

Austin - Bastille Day party at the French Legation

Miami - Annual celebration, location changes every year

New Orleans - Numerous celebrations across the French Quarter area

Chicago - Celebrations at Navy Pier and Oz Park

Milwaukee - Four-day street festival including a re-enactment of the storming of the Bastille

St. Louis - Numerous festivals, most notably within the Soulard neighborhood (including a parade, fake beheading, and walking / golf cart parade)

Portland - Festivals coordinated by the Alliance Française across numerous parks

Seattle - Picnics, wine-focused events, and shopping at the Seattle Center

From our Taste France Magazine family to yours, we wish you a bonne fête nationale!

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How to say ‘Happy Bastille Day’ in French and the history of the holiday

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Bonjour! Today (July 14) is Bastille Day – a day of great importance in French history.

Bastille Day is a celebration of French freedoms and the beginning of the French republic.

It also falls on the day when a French prison, named The Bastille – a place full of people who had challenged the king or Queen over socio-economic issues – was stormed during the French Revolution on July 14, 1789

If you are joining in with the festivities and aren’t actually French, it is probably a good idea to swot up on a little French in advance – but whatever you do, don’t wish a French person ‘Happy Bastille Day’ as you’ll just confuse them.

Here is everything you need to know.

How to wish someone a Happy Bastille Day in French

To wish someone a ‘Happy Bastille Day’ don’t mention Bastille at all.

Yup, the French don’t call the day Bastille Day, instead referring to the date as ‘ la Fête Nationale Française ‘ or ‘ Fete Nat ‘ or even a simple ‘ la Fête du 14 Juliet ‘. That roughly translates as The National French holiday – or July 14 holiday.

In fact, if you ask some French people if they know what Bastille Day is they will be slightly confused and not have a clue what you are on about.

So, if you want to greet someone, it’s best to simply say ‘ Bonne Fete Nationale! ‘ instead.

Why isn’t it called Bastille Day in France?

There are a number of theories as to why the French don’t call the day Bastille Day.

French writer Sidonie Sawyer  says this is because the date marks the start of the Federation of France in 1790, one year after the storming of the Bastille.

According to Frenchly , for the French, the date is a day of national pride hence why it is called ‘la Fête Nationale Française’ rather than Bastille Day. 

It is a date when the French celebrate liberté, fraternité, and égalité – as mentioned in the country’s national anthem La Marseillaise. The day falling on the same date as the Bastille prison being stormed is just a coincidence for them.

Calling the date ‘Bastille Day’ appears to be an American invention, Frenchly says, for Americans celebrating their French roots.

On Bastille Day in America, people eat loads of French food and celebrate French culture so the date has become more of a ‘French Independence Day’. And because many Independence Days around the world are attached to a single event in history – the storming of the Bastille became associated with the date, Frenchly explains.

Bastille Day is named after the storming of the Bastille (a French prison) on July 14, 1789.

This prison was famous in Paris and it served as a symbol of royal authority.

The decision to storm it was a key event in the French Revolution.

Bastille Day is formally known in France as La fête nationale, and more commonly as Le quatorze juillet.

What are the origins?

Similar to the American Revolution, the French Revolution was influenced by ideals spread by the Enlightenment movement around the concept of inalienable rights.

This included taking back freedoms, and challenging the status quo.

The French during this period had many concerns around poverty and socio-economic injustices.

They were tired of not having their concerns heard by those in power, and by the late 1780s people would gather to speak against the King and Queen and demand for new laws to be made.

The Bastille was a prison used to hold those who challenged the King and Queen, and for many French civilians it was symbolic of royal corruption.

The storming of the Bastille began events which eventually led to King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette being sent to the guillotine in 1793.

How is Bastille Day celebrated now?

Today celebrations are held all throughout France.

French troops march down the Champs Elysees during the annual Bastille Day parade.

The largest and oldest military parade in Europe is held in the morning on the Champs-Élysées in front of the President, along with other officials and foreign guests.

This is a very popular event in France, and it is broadcast on French TV and draws large crowds.

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Bastille Day – Joyeuse fête nationale à la France !

The national day of France, commonly known as Bastille Day, is celebrated annually on 14 July in the country and its overseas départements and territories. The holiday marks the anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, the beginning of the French Revolution. What may be known to a lesser extent is, however, that the celebration of the unity of the French people ( Fête de la Fédération ) took place on the same day in 1790 and is equally commemorated during the national day.

In 1789, the French monarchy under Louis XVI was struggling to get an economic crisis under control as tensions started to rise between reformist and conservative powers. The Storming of the Bastille is widely considered the starting point of the French Revolution. Following the dismissal of the king’s Finance Minister, who supported the people demanding a constitution for the kingdom, crowds gathered in Paris with the objective to arm the population and prepare for a fight against the royal army. After a crowd of Parisians had already besieged the Hôtel des Invalides , another crowd formed and stormed the Bastille. The state prison Bastille had become a symbol for the arbitrary rule of the French monarch since political prisoners where often held there without indication of the reason for their imprisonment. A mob of citizens who demanded the arms and ammunition stored in the Bastille successfully took the building. Subsequently, the Storming of the Bastille not only signalled the beginning of the French Revolution, but also the end of the ancien régime .

Today, Bastille Day is celebrated with one of the oldest and largest military parades in Europe, taking Place on the Champs-Elysees in Paris with the President of the Republic and an often impressive array of other French officials as well as foreign guests. Moreover, the national day is celebrated with fireworks, concerts and balls throughout the country.

Did you know? (History edition - French Revolution)

• At the time of the storming, the Bastille only held seven prisoners.
• The colours of the French flag ( la tricolore ) go back to the cockades the revolutionaries wore during the Storming of the Bastille.
• The political labels ‘left’ and ‘right’ appeared for the first time during the French Revolution – they originated from where the delegates of the first French National Assembly were placed in reference to the presiding officer.
• The French national anthem ( la Marseillaise ) also originated during the Revolution: volunteers from Marseille who marched on the capital in 1795 to prevent the other European powers from restoring a monarchy in France sung it.

On the occasion of Bastille Day, why not chose to practice your interpreting skills with one (or more) of the many speeches in French on the Speech Repository ? We offer you as many speeches as the year has days (yes, 365 – so you have one for every day) in French on various topics. Alors, qu’est-ce que vous attendez encore ? On commence à s’entrainer !

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Bastille Day

By: History.com Editors

Updated: July 14, 2023 | Original: June 21, 2017

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.

The Bastille

Built in the 1300s during the Hundred Years’ War against the English, the Bastille was designed to protect the eastern entrance to the city of Paris . The formidable stone building’s massive defenses included 100-foot-high walls and a wide moat, plus more than 80 regular soldiers and 30 Swiss mercenaries standing guard.

As a prison, it held political dissidents (such as the writer and philosopher Voltaire ), many of whom were locked away without a trial by order of the king. By 1789, however, it was scheduled for demolition, to be replaced by a public square. Moreover, it was down to just seven prisoners: four accused of forgery, two considered “lunatics” and one kept in custody at the request of his own family.

The infamous Marquis de Sade —from whom the term “sadist” is derived—had likewise been incarcerated there. But he was removed earlier that summer after falsely shouting out the window that the prisoners inside were being massacred.

Causes of the French Revolution

Despite inheriting tremendous debts from his predecessor, Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette continued to spend extravagantly, such as by helping the American colonies win their independence from the British. By the late 1780s, France’s government stood on the brink of economic disaster.

To make matters worse, widespread crop failures in 1788 brought about a nationwide famine. Bread prices rose so high that, at their peak, the average worker spent about 88 percent of his wages on just that one staple.

Unemployment was likewise a problem, which the populace blamed in part on newly reduced customs duties between France and Britain. Following a harsh winter, violent food riots began breaking out across France at bakeries, granaries and other food storage facilities.

Louis XVI and the Tennis Court Oath

In an attempt to resolve the crisis, Louis XVI summoned the long-dormant Estates-General, a national assembly divided by social class into three orders: clergy (First Estate), nobility (Second Estate) and commoners (Third Estate).

Though it represented about 98 percent of the population, the Third Estate could still be outvoted by its two counterparts. As a result of this inequality, its deputies immediately started clamoring for a greater voice. After making no initial headway, they then declared themselves to be a new body called the National Assembly.

Finding the doors to their meeting hall locked on June 20, 1789, they gathered in a nearby indoor tennis court, where, in defiance of the king, they took an oath—famous thereafter as the Tennis Court Oath —never to separate until establishing a new written constitution.

The National Assembly

When many nobles and clergymen crossed over to join the National Assembly, Louis XVI grudgingly gave it his consent. But he also moved several army regiments into Paris and its surroundings, leading to fears that he would break up the assembly by force.

Then, on July 11, the king dismissed the popular and reform-minded Jacques Necker, his only non-noble minister. Protesting crowds poured into Paris’ streets the following day, harassing royalist soldiers so much that they withdrew from the city. Crowds also burned down most of Paris’ hated customs posts, which imposed taxes on goods, and began a frantic search for arms and food.

Unrest continued on the morning of July 14, when an unruly mob seized roughly 32,000 muskets and some cannons from the Hôtel des Invalides (a military hospital) prior to turning its sights on the large quantity of gunpowder stored in the Bastille.

Storming of the Bastille

Bernard-René de Launay, the governor of the Bastille, watched in dread as a large and growing mob of angry revolutionists surrounded the fortress on July 14. Upon receiving a demand to surrender, he invited revolutionary delegates inside to negotiate.

Lacking any direct orders from Louis XVI, he purportedly received them warmly and promised not to open fire. Yet as the talks dragged on, the people outside grew restless—some may have thought their delegates had been imprisoned.

Eventually, a group of men climbed over an outer wall and lowered a drawbridge to the Bastille’s courtyard, allowing the crowd to swarm inside. When men began attempting to lower a second drawbridge, de Launay broke his pledge and ordered his soldiers to shoot. Nearly 100 attackers died in the onslaught and dozens of others were wounded, whereas the royalists lost only one soldier.

The Bastille Is Dismantled

The tide turned later that afternoon, however, when a detachment of mutinous French Guards showed up. Permanently stationed in Paris, the French Guards were known to be sympathetic to the revolutionaries. When they began blasting away with cannons at the Bastille, de Launay, who lacked adequate provisions for a long-term siege, waved the white flag of surrender.

Taken prisoner, he was marched to city hall, where the bloodthirsty crowd separated him from his escort and murdered him before cutting off his head, displaying it on a pike and parading it around the city. A few other royalist soldiers were also butchered, foreshadowing the terrifying bloodshed that would play a large role during and after the French Revolution .

In the aftermath of the storming of the Bastille, the prison fortress was systematically dismantled until almost nothing remained of it. A de facto prisoner from October 1789 onward, Louis XVI was sent to the guillotine a few years later— Marie Antoinette’s beheading followed shortly thereafter.

Bastille Day Today

Much like the Fourth of July in America, Bastille Day—known in France as la Fête nationale or le 14 juillet (14 July)—is a public holiday in France, celebrated by nationwide festivities including fireworks, parades and parties.

Attendees will see France’s tricolor flag, hear the French motto Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité (“liberty, equality and fraternity”) and break into singing La Marseillaise —all popular symbols of France that had their origins in the heady days of the French Revolution.

In one of the world’s oldest annual military parades , French troops have marched each year since Bastille Day of 1880 along the Champs-Elysées in Paris before French government officials and world leaders.

In 2016, in a terrorist attack in Nice, a truck barreled through a pedestrian-filled crowd at a Bastille Day celebration, killing 86 people and injuring over 400.

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Bastille Day vocabulary in French

A useful French vocabulary list about France's National Day, Bastille Day

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Opinion Leaders of Jordan, France and Egypt: Cease fire now in Gaza

Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein is king of Jordan. Emmanuel Macron is president of France. Abdel Fatah El-Sisi is president of Egypt.

The war in Gaza and the catastrophic humanitarian suffering it is causing must end now. Violence, terror and war cannot bring peace to the Middle East. The two-state solution will. It is the only credible path to guaranteeing peace and security for all, and ensuring that neither the Palestinians nor the Israelis ever have to relive the horrors that have befallen them since the Oct. 7 attack.

On March 25, the U.N. Security Council finally assumed its responsibility by demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. This is a critical step that must be fully implemented without further delay.

In light of the intolerable human toll of the war, we, the leaders of Egypt, France and Jordan, call for the immediate and unconditional implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2728. We underline the urgent need to bring about a permanent cease-fire in Gaza.

We emphasize the urgency of implementing the Security Council’s demand for the immediate release of all hostages and reaffirm our support for the negotiations brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the United States that address a cease-fire, as well as the hostages and detainees.

As we urge all parties to abide by all relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions, we warn against the dangerous consequences of an Israeli offensive on Rafah, where about 1.5 million Palestinian civilians have sought refuge. Such an offensive would only bring more death and suffering, heighten the risks and consequences of mass displacement of the people of Gaza and threaten regional escalation. We reiterate our equal respect for all lives. We condemn all violations and abuses of international humanitarian law, including all acts of violence, terrorism and indiscriminate attacks on civilians. Protecting civilians is a fundamental legal obligation for all parties and the cornerstone of international humanitarian law. Violating this obligation is absolutely prohibited.

Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine, but famine is already setting in. There is an urgent need for a massive increase in the provision and distribution of humanitarian assistance. This is a core demand of U.N. Security Council Resolutions 2720 and 2728, which emphasize the urgent need to expand aid supplies.

U.N. agencies, including the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, and humanitarian actors play a critical role in relief operations in Gaza. They must be protected and granted full access, including in the northern part of the Gaza Strip . We condemn the killing of humanitarian aid workers, most recently the attack against World Central Kitchen’s aid convoy .

Consistent with international law, Israel is under an obligation to ensure the flow of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian population, a responsibility it has not fulfilled. We reiterate the Security Council’s demand to lift barriers to humanitarian assistance and for Israel to immediately facilitate humanitarian assistance through all crossing points, including in the North of the Gaza Strip and through a direct land corridor from Jordan, as well as by sea.

We, the leaders of Egypt, France and Jordan, are determined to continue stepping up our efforts to meet the humanitarian, medical and health needs of the civilian population of Gaza, in close coordination with the U.N. system and regional partners.

Lastly, we underline the urgency of restoring hope for peace and security for all in the region, primarily the Palestinian and Israeli people. We emphasize our determination to continue working together to avoid further regional spillover, and we call on all actors to refrain from any escalatory action. We urge an end to all unilateral measures, including settlement activity and land confiscation. We also urge Israel to prevent settler violence.

We emphasize the necessity of respecting the historical and legal status quo at Jerusalem’s Muslim and Christian holy sites, and the role of the Jordanian Waqf under the Hashemite custodianship.

We stress our determination to step up our joint efforts to effectively bring about the two-state solution. The establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state on the basis of the two-state solution, in accordance with international law and relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions, to live side by side in peace and security with Israel, is the only way to achieve true peace. The Security Council must play a role in decisively reopening this horizon for peace.

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