14 juillet 2024 - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Bastille Day: July 14th is known as Bastille Day in France, commemorating the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, a turning point in the French Revolution.
- 2. National holiday: Bastille Day is a national holiday in France, with celebrations including a military parade on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, fireworks, and parties throughout the country.
- 3. Military parade: The annual military parade on Bastille Day showcases France's armed forces, with troops marching, military vehicles and aircraft on display, and a flyover by the French Air Force.
- 4. Fireworks: In the evening, fireworks displays light up the sky across France, with the most famous being the fireworks at the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
- 5. Parties and concerts: Bastille Day is a day of celebration, with parties, concerts, and street festivals held in towns and cities across France.
- 6. Traditional food: On Bastille Day, it is common to enjoy traditional French dishes such as coq au vin, ratatouille, and crêpes, as well as indulging in French pastries and champagne.
- 7. Parades and processions: In addition to the military parade in Paris, many towns and cities in France hold their own parades and processions on Bastille Day, featuring marching bands, dancers, and floats.
- 8. Flags and decorations: French flags, known as tricolours, are displayed throughout the country on Bastille Day, along with decorations in the colors of the French flag - blue, white, and red.
- 9. Cultural events: Bastille Day is also a day to celebrate French culture, with art exhibitions, theater performances, and music festivals held in cities and towns across France.
- 10. Symbol of freedom: Bastille Day is seen as a symbol of freedom and democracy in France, commemorating the overthrow of the monarchy and the birth of the French Republic.