Bastille Day: A History and Celebration of French Freedom
- A New Life
- Jul 14
- 3 min read
Bastille Day, or La Fête Nationale as it’s officially known in France, is celebrated every 14th of July. It marks the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris on 14 July 1789—a turning point that ignited the French Revolution and symbolised the fight for liberty, equality, and fraternity. But to truly understand Bastille Day, you have to go back to the turmoil of 18th-century France.
In the late 1780s, France was gripped by economic crisis, inequality, and resentment toward the absolute monarchy. The country was deeply divided between the privileged estates—clergy and nobility—and the struggling Third Estate, which made up the vast majority of the population. In 1789, the Estates-General was convened to address these issues, but it quickly turned into a showdown over political representation and power.
Amid rising tensions, revolutionaries in Paris viewed the Bastille, a medieval fortress and prison, as a hated symbol of royal tyranny. On 14 July 1789, an angry crowd stormed it, demanding gunpowder and freeing a handful of prisoners. Though small in scale, the event had enormous symbolic power. The fall of the Bastille sent shockwaves through France, encouraging uprisings across the country and sealing the monarchy’s fate. Louis XVI would eventually be overthrown and executed, and France would declare itself a republic.
The first celebration of the 14th of July took place in 1790, just one year after the storming of the Bastille. This Fête de la Fédération was designed to promote national unity, bringing together citizens from all over France in a massive, peaceful festival. Over time, the date evolved into a national holiday, but it wasn’t officially declared France’s National Day until 1880. Since then, Bastille Day has stood not only as a commemoration of revolution but also as a celebration of French national identity, freedom, and democracy.
How the French Celebrate Bastille Day Today
Bastille Day is France’s biggest and most patriotic holiday. Across the country, you’ll find festivities ranging from grand state ceremonies to local village parties. The most famous event is the military parade held every year on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, watched by thousands in person and millions on television. Tanks, troops, aircraft, and dignitaries fill the avenue in a striking display of national pride. The French President presides over the event, often inviting foreign leaders as guests of honour.
Beyond the official parade, cities and towns hold their own celebrations. In Paris, the day ends with a spectacular fireworks show launched from the area around the Eiffel Tower, lighting up the city’s skyline in dazzling colour. Crowds gather on the Champ de Mars or the Trocadéro to watch, creating a carnival-like atmosphere.
Many towns host bals des pompiers—public dances often held at local fire stations that stay open all night, complete with music, drinks, and a friendly community vibe. Street parties, live concerts, communal meals, and village fêtes are common, with people of all ages joining in. The mood is celebratory, communal, and defiantly festive.
Importantly, Bastille Day is not just a party—it’s a time for the French to reflect on their values. Schools teach the history of the Revolution, politicians invoke the ideals of liberté, égalité, fraternité, and citizens take pride in the country’s long struggle for democracy and rights.
For visitors, it’s one of the most magical times to be in France. Whether you’re watching jets streak blue, white, and red across the Paris sky, dancing at a firemen’s ball in a Provençal village, or simply enjoying wine and fireworks with friends, you’re sharing in a tradition that celebrates not only France’s past, but also its enduring spirit of freedom.