So why do the French celebrate Bastille Day?
You’re about to find out. I didn’t fully understand it until I asked my French neighbour, Stefan, “Why do the French celebrate Bastille Day? What’s it really all about?”
His answer wasn’t what I expected.
He told me the French don’t actually call it Bastille Day. That’s a name made up by English-speaking countries.
And, contrary to popular belief, it’s about so much more than the storming of the Bastille.
Why the French celebrate Bastille Day and what it’s actually known as in France
So first things first, Bastille Day, as we call it, is known as either “Fête Nationale” or “le quatorze juillet” (the 14th of July).
There is no mention of the word Bastille in there at all.
And although yes, it commemorates the storming of the Bastille, that’s only half the story.
France’s national holiday is about two separate July 14ths, one in 1789 and the other in 1790.
Plus, the celebration, wasn’t something that came into being until around 100 years later.
So let’s break this down and have a quick lesson in French history so you can fully understand what this day is all about.
And it’s important you know, especially if you call yourself a Francophile.
Life in France in 1789
Come with me as we take a step back in time to 1789 when Louis XVI and his wife, Marie-Antoinette, were living a life of luxury.
They partied in Versailles Palace, had more food than they could ever hope to eat, and had everything they could ever need.
However, the rest of the population in France was not doing so well.
Taxes were high, along with unemployment, and the people of France were hungry, unhappy and generally dissatisfied with everything.
There was unrest in the streets of Paris, and something had to be done.
What happened on July 14th 1789 in Paris?
So Louis called upon the États Généraux, a sort of parliament or national assembly made up of nobility, clergy and commoners, to meet.
Now this was also a bit of an issue because although this sounds like a great way to reach a compromise that worked for everyone, it wasn’t.
Why? Because the King could dismiss this assembly whenever he wanted to, which made a bit of a mockery of the whole thing.
Anyway, during this meeting, the commoners, who felt threatened by the mercenaries brought in by the King, took over.
They believed these foreign mercenaries were there to arrest them and beat them into submission. So they decided retaliation was their best form of defence. They swore to try and overturn the monarchy’s dictatorial rule by fighting back and taking power.
The Storming of the Bastille
So they headed to the Bastille, where they knew the King’s store of gunpowder was kept. It was also a royal fortress and prison where the King sent anyone who dared to speak out against him.
But weapons weren’t the only thing the revolutionaries were after. They also wanted to free the seven prisoners held captive there.
Bernard-René Jordan de Launay, the military governor of the Bastille, got wind of this attack and raised the drawbridge against the oncoming mob.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t hold out against the massive crowds of people with their makeshift weapons who fell upon the Bastille and raised their white flag in surrender.
The prisoners were released, Launay and his men captured and the gunpowder and canons taken.
This was the fuel that fired the start of the French Revolution and marked the end of the ancien regime. Just three years later, the monarchy would be abolished, and Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette would lose their heads.
Federation Day 1790 - la Fête de la Fédération
One year after the storming of the Bastille came la Fête de la Fédération. After lots of unrest and uncertainty, it was a time to heal wounds and bring about a kind of reconciliation.
Dignatories from around the country came together to swear allegiance to the constitution, the Country and the King.
It was time to celebrate France’s new unity, and the Champ-de-Mars was the chosen location and a big stadium was erected.
No expense was spared. A huge altar, known as the “Autel de la Patrie”, was built, along with a big tent to house the King and his people. There was even a delegation of representatives from the United States in attendance.
A special mass was conducted by the Bishop of Autun, an atheist who was quite verbal about his beliefs, and over 300 priests.
The captain of the National Guard, the Marquis de La Fayette, was the first to take an oath and swear his allegiance.
He swore an oath in the name of the Federated National Guards, to be faithful to the Nation, the Law, and the King and to uphold the Constitution.
The King also took an oath and swore allegiance to the Constitution.
Unfortunately, however, this reconciliation lasted less than a year. The King’s situation became more precarious with his attempted escape which, of course, failed.
La Fête de la Fédération 1880
As you can see, these are two separate events. One with plenty of bloodshed and a storming mob of angry people that marked the end of absolute rule. The other without any blood spilt and a celebration of a reconciled country.
Although a celebration of sorts took place in the years that followed, it all started to die off towards the end of the century.
Other dates took precedence, such as in 1804 when the 14th of July celebrations were abolished, in favour of the 15th of August, Napoleon Bonaparte’s birthday.
And in 1830, the entire month of July became a celebration.
It wasn’t till 1880, at the suggestion of Benjamin Raspail, that the senate finally agreed upon the 14th of July, as it represented everyone from royalists to revolutionaries. It held dual symbolism and became the national day of France.
What do the French say on Bastille Day?
There are a few things you might well hear on Bastille Day in France, and it’s a time when being patriotic is not seen as being political.
Phrases such as…
“Vive la France!” Long live France!
“Vive la République!” Long live the Republic!
And then there is how you might greet someone. Never say “Happy Bastille Day” because, as I said earlier, the French don’t refer to it like this.
Instead, try…
“Bonne fête nationale!” Happy national holiday!
“Joyeux quatorze juillet!” Happy July 14th!
Another thing you’ll hear a lot of is La Marseillaise, the French national anthem. It’s sung with pride on July 14th, and you may recognise and hear these words below.
“Allons, enfants de la Patrie: le jour de gloire est arrivé!” — Let’s go, children of the fatherland: the day of glory has arrived!
Is Bastille Day the same as Independence Day in France?
No, not really. Whilst they’re both a national holiday, that’s where their similarities end. Independence Day in America celebrates freedom, the day they became free from British Rule.
But Bastille Day celebrates the start of the French Revolution and France coming away from the monarchy.
What do you do on Bastille Day, and how is it celebrated?
As a national holiday in France, the celebrations happen throughout the country, with the biggest happening in Paris, as you would expect.
But don’t write off the small villages and towns before you’ve experienced Bastille Day in one of them.
You’d be hard pushed to find a village in France that doesn’t put up the flags and enjoy this celebration to the full.
The French are after all, extremely patriotic and proud of their patronage, which is never more fabulously demonstrated than on the 14th of July.
Tables and benches are set up in the village squares, ready to host the local community so they can enjoy eating and drinking together.
You’ll find an array of stalls, entertainment and food vendors all coming together to join in the celebrations.
I’ve seen local line-dancing groups doing demonstrations and DJs putting on fun karaoke for people to take part in.
Everywhere you look, there is laughter and dancing and FUN.
And if they’re not celebrating with the village, you’ll find families having picnics at the park, on the beaches or eating out in restaurants and bars.
One thing is for sure though, you’ll hear plenty of renditions of La Marseillaise, the French National Anthem.
Military parade from Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde
One of the biggest events of July 14th is the Military Parade which takes place in the morning on the Champs-Elysées in Paris.
The very first parade was held in 1880, starting on the Champs-Elysées, from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde.
It’s the time when French pomp and circumstance almost rival that of the UK.
The President of France is in attendance, with different military corps represented. The lineup of those attending is like the who’s who of politicians.
The crowds lining the streets are massive, and it really is a sight to see.
One of the most spectacular parts of it all is the aerial parade with hundreds of different aircraft taking to the skies, including the “Patrouille de France”.
It’s the only time a flypast over the city is allowed, as it’s strictly forbidden under normal circumstances.
However, parades happen all around the country, and not just in France. The French population around the world celebrate as only the French can.
The 2023 Parade on the Champs-Élysées
This year’s parade pays special tribute to India, with the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit holds significance as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of France’s partnership with this nation.
In a display of French military support to Ukraine, the Army will showcase Caesar guns and AMX10-RC armoured vehicles. General Christophe Abad has emphasized that one of the key objectives of the 2023 edition is to reaffirm the French commitment to strategic solidarity with their allies.
The flypast segment features fighter planes from different countries, including the Indian Rafale, the British Typhoon, and the Belgian F-16. As is tradition, the Patrouille de France will start the aerial display, marking its 70th anniversary beginning at 10:30 am.
The parade finishes with a performance at Place de la Concorde, featuring young reservists. This segment pays homage to the construction of the National Council of the Resistance in 1943 and commemorates the legacy of Jean Moulin and the creation of the iconic “Chant des partisans” (Song of the Partisans).
The 14th of July Fireworks
You can’t have a big celebration without fireworks, and Bastille Day doesn’t disappoint. I’m always amazed at just how spectacular the fireworks are, even in the smallest of villages.
However, if you look back at French history, fireworks were very much something favoured by the monarchy. Louis XIV loved them and used any occasion to have a firework display for the nobility.
They disappeared when the monarchy was abolished, so it’s interesting they’re such a big part of the July 14th celebrations.
We’ve been to several of these celebrations since we’ve lived in France. My favourite was in the village square in Verteuil.
At around 11 pm, the fireworks started, and they were fantastic. The gorgeous chateau was lit up time and time again against the night sky in a dazzling display that went on for a good 20 minutes. It was quite simply breathtaking.
How a little village like that could put on such a great show is beyond me.
Of course, Paris is the star when it comes to firework displays, with the biggest being around the Eiffel Tower.
It all starts with a concert along the banks of the River Seine, followed by what is nothing short of a spectacular display of pyrotechnics.
Unfortunately, for the 2023 celebrations, fireworks have been banned due to the recent riots in Paris and other big cities around France.
Bal de Pompiers (Fireman’s Ball)
If you’ve ever wanted to see the inside of a fire station, this is your chance. The night before Bastille Day, the fire stations in Paris open their doors to the public and host a party.
They put on music, provide entertainment, demonstrations and basically show the locals a good time with a party to end all parties.
It’s known as the Fireman’s Ball, with all the firemen in uniform and the drink flowing freely.
Often these parties can go on until the early hours of the morning, and rumour has it you might even get a special striptease into the bargain.
No wonder there is a queue around the block!
But it’s all for a good cause, as the money raised goes into maintaining the fire stations.
For a list of all the firefighter balls visit their website here >>>
What foods are eaten on Bastille Day?
Food is the staple of any good party, but there is no traditional food for the Bastille Day celebrations.
Really anything goes, but if in doubt, a French-style picnic will always work with lots of lovely pâtés, cheese, fresh bread, pastries and wine.
If you’re attending a village event, you’ll probably see hot dog vans, meat vendors and stalls selling everything from ice cream to beer and frites.
What to do in Paris on Bastille Day
Paris is the place to be on Bastille Day. There is so much to see and do, and in the same way, as London is an exciting place to be for a major celebration, so is Paris on July 14th.
The best place to see the fireworks in Paris
If you’re organised get to one of the many parks in Paris with a view of the Eiffel Tower and set up your picnic blanket and claim your spot.
One of the best spots is Belvédère de Belleville, a lookout spot in the Parc de Belleville with amazing views of the city but away from the crowds. You’ll see everything from here but it’s best to get there early.
Another great option is one of the big Paris monuments. Again you’ll need to be an early bird to nab a good seat but places like Sacré Cœur and the Montparnasse tower are ones to add to the list to see the fireworks with amazing views.
Plus, you can soak up the atmosphere of the event with everyone else celebrating.
Some of the hotels in Paris have rooftops from which you can see the whole thing unfold. Some of the best hotel rooftops to see the fireworks are Novotel Paris Vaugirard Montparnasse, Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile and La Réserve Paris.
And if it’s a restaurant you’re after my top tip would be to book early at Le Ciel de Paris restaurant on the 56th floor of the Montparnasse tower.
The Palace of Versailles Les Grandes Eaux Nocturnes
If you’ve always wanted to see the gardens at the Palace of Versailles then there is no better time than July 14th.
The night fountains are spectacular with special events happening on both the 14th and 15th of July.
As dusk descends, the Royal Garden of Louis XIV transforms into a mesmerizing spectacle, reminiscent of the lavish parties hosted by the Sun King. Harmonized with the enchanting melodies of baroque music, you can immerse yourself in the illuminated groves that become sublime masterpieces, culminating in a magnificent fireworks extravaganza.
Talented scenographic artists breathe new life into the gardens, adorning them with a myriad of lights and presenting captivating installations and aquatic effects at the Mirror Basin, where water takes on a breathtaking transformation.
Why do the French celebrate Bastille Day FAQS
A quick cheat sheet for you on Bastille Day with some questions answered about the biggest day of the year in the French calendar.
