Bastille Day
Le 14 Juillet(Bastille Day) is a French holiday celebrated on July 14th each year. It marks a key event in French history: the storming of the Bastille prison during the French Revolution. In this article, you'll learn what Bastille Day commemorates, how it is celebrated across France, and some key vocabulary and expressions related to this major holiday.
Questions This Article Answers
What is Bastille Day?
How do you say Bastille Day in French?
When is Bastille Day celebrated?
What does Bastille Day commemorate?
How do French people celebrate Bastille Day?
What are some common Bastille Day traditions?
What are some useful expressions for Bastille Day?
What Is Bastille Day?
La Fête nationale française(Bastille Day) is the most important national holiday in France. It is celebrated each year on July 14th and commemorates the prise de la Bastille(storming of the Bastille) on July 14, 1789. This event is considered the symbolic beginning of the French Revolution, when the people rose up against the monarchy and demanded liberty, equality, and fraternity. These values are still at the heart of French national identity today.
In France, Bastille Day Is Called Le 14 Juillet or La Fête Nationale
When talking about Bastille Day, people in France say le 14 Juillet (July 14th), much like Americans refer to their independence day as the Fourth of July. You may also hear la Fête nationale (the National Holiday), although it's a little less common.
Key Vocabulary Related to Bastille Day
Let’s look at a conversation between two friends talking about Bastille Day plans:
Months & Capitalization in French
Months in French are normally not capitalized. You would write, for example, Je suis née le 8 octobre.(I was born on October 8.). However, if a date is used as a name for a historical event that took place on a given day, then the month must be capitalized. Below are a few important dates from French history.
If you need to write one of these dates in a way that is not related to the historical event, then don't capitalize the month. For example, you would write Mon père est né le 14 juillet 1952.(My father was born on July 14, 1952.)
A Bit of History
The prise de la Bastille (storming of the Bastille) happened on July 14, 1789, when revolutionaries stormed a medieval fortress and prison in Paris that held political prisoners and had become a symbol of the king’s absolute power. The act of storming the Bastille became a powerful symbol of freedom and the fight against oppression. This event sparked uprisings across France and marked the beginning of the Révolution française(French Revolution), which would eventually lead to the fall of the monarchy and the establishment of the French Republic.
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How Is Bastille Day Celebrated?
Bastille Day is marked by military parades, fireworks displays, concerts, and village dances across France. The most famous event is the défilé militaire(military parade) on the Champs-Élyséesin Paris. This event is attended by the president of France, other French government officials, and foreign dignitaries.
Throughout the country, towns and villages organize their own celebrations, with music, dancing, and local parades. In many places, people gather in the evening for spectacular feux d'artifice(fireworks).
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Fireworks Are a Big Part of the Celebration
Major cities like Paris, Lyon, and Marseille are known for their impressive fireworks shows, often synchronized with music.
Useful Expressions for Bastille Day
Here are some expressions you might hear or use on Bastille Day:
First Verse & Chorus of La Marseillaise
Want to learn more about French culture and traditions? Check out these articles!
