National holiday
On 14 July, France marks its national day with a military parade in Paris, fireworks over towns and villages, and community dances that carry on late into the summer night.
Photo: Mathurin NAPOLY / Unsplash
14 July every year
All over France, with the main parade on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
Watch the parade or a local procession, see the fireworks and join a village dance.
Bonne fête nationale !: Happy national day!
The Fête nationale recalls two events: the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris on 14 July 1789, an early moment of the French Revolution, and the Fête de la Fédération a year later, which celebrated national unity. The day became France’s official national holiday in 1880. In English it is often called Bastille Day, but in France people simply say le 14 juillet.
In the morning, a military parade travels down the Champs-Élysées in front of the President, with aircraft flying overhead trailing blue, white and red smoke. It is shown on television and many families watch it at home. Elsewhere, towns and villages hold their own events: ceremonies at war memorials, lantern processions, picnics and outdoor concerts. As night falls, fireworks light up the sky, from the Eiffel Tower to small village squares. Dances are held all over the country, including the popular bals des pompiers, organised by local fire stations.
Because it falls at the start of the summer holidays, 14 July is also a day for family meals, outings and long evenings outdoors. Celebrations vary from place to place, and for some people it is simply a welcome day off.
Bring a little of the 14 juillet home:
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Fireworks draw big crowds, especially in Paris, so arrive early, agree a meeting point and expect road closures and busy public transport. Smaller towns post a relaxed programme at the town hall or tourist office. Firefighters’ dances are friendly occasions for all ages, and a small donation is often welcome.
Rarely. In France it is known as the Fête nationale or simply le 14 juillet. Bastille Day is mainly an English-language name.
Yes. It is a public holiday, so many shops and offices close, although restaurants, cafés and tourist sites often stay open.
Paris holds a large display at the Eiffel Tower, but almost every town has its own. Local displays are often less crowded and just as memorable.
