Sarah Riches | 14 July 2021
5 things to know about Bastille Day in France
Bastille Day – known as La Fete Nationale or Quatorze Juillet to the French – is France’s National Day, held on 14 July each year. Here’s everything you need to know about it
Bastille Day – known as La Fete Nationale or Quatorze Juillet to the French – is France’s National Day, held on 14 July each year. Here’s everything you need to know about it
A military parade on Bastille Day in France (Shutterstock)
Back in 1789, King Louis XVI’s extravagant spending, coupled with a poor harvest, meant that France was facing bankruptcy. High taxes led to looting, strikes and riots, including one on 14 July 1789 which saw a mob attack Bastille, a former medieval prison near where Canal Saint-Martin meets the River Seine. The hordes planned to seize weapons and gunpowder and successfully released seven prisoners who’d been incarcerated without the right to a trial or to appeal. For some, Bastille Day commemorates the uprising at Bastille, which triggered the French Revolution. But while King Louis XVI’s powers diminished after the revolt, France remained a monarchy.
Champ de Mars, Paris, France (Shutterstock)
The first anniversary of the revolt at Bastille is known as Fete de la Federation, or Festival of the Federation. King Louis XVI vowed to endorse the new National Guard – formed after the fall of Bastille – as it paraded through Paris. A 24m arch was erected and military bands played drums and trumpets on Champs de Mars, where the Eiffel Tower is now, watched by crowds of 400,000 on wooden grandstand seating. For some, Bastille Day marks Festival of the Federation, which became a symbol of national unity.
A flypast in Paris on Bastille Day (Shutterstock)
It wasn’t until 1880 that a law was passed to celebrate 14 July as France’s new national day – without making clear which year it referred to, 1789 or 1790. It’s been a public holiday ever since.
July Column, Paris, France (Shutterstock)
Bastille fortress was demolished after the revolt, and today there’s a square in its place. A pillar called July Column, which dates back to 1830, stands in the centre of Place de la Bastille.
The French Foreign Legion march in a parade on Bastille Day, Paris, France (Shutterstock)
Bastille Day is celebrated across France and in former French colonies. Bals de pompiers – Firemen’s Balls – are held in fire station courtyards till the early hours. As well as food and drink stalls, live bands and DJs perform, people dance, toss inflatable balls in the air and sing La Marseillaise.
Celebrate by watching a military parade along the Champs-Elysees in Paris. As well as the Paris Fire Brigade parading in fire engines, 4,300 marching soldiers will be taking part along with 71 planes, 25 helicopters, 221 vehicles and 200 horses. President Emmanuel Macron will also attend.
At 10.30am a flypast of the French flags’ blue, white and red colours will take place above the Grande Arche de la Defense, best seen from its rooftop.
Later on, attend a 45-minute DJ show in Champs de Mars – the park by the Eiffel Tower – then listen to the Orchestre National de France, the Chœur and the Maitrise de Radio France perform in a free classical music concert at 9pm. Nearby roads and surrounding metro stations are closed, so visit on foot.
Once night falls, fireworks are let off across the country. Go in the morning to bag a viewing spot on Champ de Mars and Place du Trocadero on the north bank of the River Seine, or beat the crowds by watching from between Place de Catalogne and Metro Pasteur on Boulevard Pasteur in Montparnasse, which is on a hill.
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