Bastille Day

Bastille Day, known in France as le 14 juillet or la Fête nationale, is observed every year on July 14. This national holiday commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789 and celebrates the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity that underpin the French Republic.

History of Bastille Day

The pivotal moment occurred on July 14, 1789, when Parisian citizens attacked the Bastille fortress—initially to seize weapons and gunpowder, and ultimately as a symbolic act against royal authority. Though only seven prisoners were freed, the event marked “the first expression of the French people’s wish to obtain their liberty and civic emancipation”. This clash ignited the French Revolution and became a defining act against the absolute power of King Louis XVI.

A year later, on July 14, 1790, the Fête de la Fédération celebrated national unity and a hopeful constitutional monarchy. However, the holiday as we know it wasn’t officially established until 1880, under the Third Republic. Lawmakers fused both the Bastille’s storming and the Fête de la Fédération into a unified celebration of the republic’s founding values.

Why Bastille Day matters

Bastille Day draws its power from more than a historical event—it resonates as a living symbol of resistance to oppression. It reminds us that ordinary people, armed with courage and conviction, can dismantle entrenched structures of power and build a more equitable society.

Beyond that, the day is an affirmation of shared values: liberté, égalité, fraternité. Across France—and increasingly around the world—it’s a moment to reflect on how those ideals shape contemporary struggles for justice and human rights. In essence, it ties the past to ongoing efforts toward freedom and democratic unity.

• it marks the moment ordinary people challenged tyranny
• it reminds us that democracy can be reclaimed
• it celebrates the unity born from revolution and federation
• it honors both history and current human-rights efforts
• it links past courage to modern values of liberty and equality

How to observe Bastille Day

If you’re in France, don’t miss the iconic military parade on the Champs-Élysées, the oldest and largest of its kind in Europe—complete with flyovers and official speeches. In the evening, spectacular fireworks by the Eiffel Tower light up the sky, often accompanied by concerts and communal festivities.

Elsewhere, you can join French-themed dinners or gatherings, featuring classics like cheese, baguette, pâté, crepes, and champagne. You could also host a cultural evening—screen a French film, learn a chanson, or discuss revolutionary history. Whether grand or intimate, celebrating Bastille Day is about honoring freedom and fellowship.

• watch or attend a parade to experience the national display
• enjoy fireworks and toasts—wine, cheese, and inviting music
• prepare French dishes and share them with friends
• reflect on how liberty, equality and fraternity apply today
• stream iconic French speeches, films or songs

Bastille Day Dates Table