With Bastille Day coming up on the 14th, we wanted to give you a little background on this national French holiday.
This national holiday commemorates the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, which started the French Revolution. The Bastille was a prison that held political prisoners who had irritated the royal government. When the French stormed the Bastille, it had only 7 prisoners, none of whom were of great political significance. The act was seen as a symbol of liberty. The revolution eventually lead the country into what is now the Republic of France with its Tricolor flag (Le Tricolore – representing Liberty, Equality and Fraternity).
The Champs-Elysées is decorated for the occasion with French flags as military parades march down the street. Traditionally, the firemen around the country organize dances, parties and fireworks for the commune. Bien sûr, there are fireworks at the Eiffel Tower! So if you happen to be in Paris for the Quatorze Juillet, head to the Eiffel Tower and watch the fireworks (le feu d’artifice)!
- Cassandra Trachy