The 4th of July has come and gone with little fanfare in Paris, but France is building up to its own national holiday: the 14th of July, dubbed “Bastille Day” in most of the Anglophone world, is France’s national holiday, but if you ask any French person, it’s not the celebration of the day the Bastille prison fell.
A Bit of History
In 1789, the political and social upheaval that had been brewing in France finally came to a head: beginning in May when the commoners of France (those who were neither part of the clergy nor members of the aristocracy) formed a National Assembly, against the wishes of the King, and invited both clergymen and nobility to join. In late June, the newly formed National Assembly took the “Tennis Court Oath,” vowing to establish a constitution – and not to separate until it had been done. They locked themselves into the Jeu de Paume building – now a museum – to do so.
While these events are certainly the ones that led up to the Revolution, the event that many remember was the July 14th Storming of the Bastille, when a group of Revolutionaries released the prisoners held inside – all seven of them. This largely symbolic action was seen by the Revolutionaries as a direct affront of the monarchy’s abuses of power.
But while the 14th is a public holiday in France, it actually celebrates, not July 14, 1789, but July 14, 1790. In the year that ensued, the privileges and feudal rights of the aristocracy and clergy were abolished, and the Declaration of the rights of man and the citizen was adopted and signed. On July 14, 1790, the Revolutionaries believed that they were well on their way to adopting a constitutional, parliamentary monarchy (like the one currently in place in England), and the very first Federation Day celebrated, ostensibly, the new unity among people, aristocracy, clergy, and King.
Yes, the French King was still alive on the first July 14 holiday; Louis the 16th and Marie Antoinette wouldn’t try to flee France until the following year, resulting in their eventual demise by guillotine.
Celebrations in Paris
Today, Federation Day occurs on July 14 throughout France. It is France’s national holiday, a celebration of the rights of men and of the French values of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
But like the 4th of July in the United States, it’s also an excuse for a party.
One major event folks in Paris look forward to every year is the Fireman’s Ball. These free balls are held at 40 different firehouses throughout Paris on both the 13th and the 14th of July, allowing folks to dance, drink, and celebrate with the (very handsome) firefighters of Paris. For a full list of participating firehouses this year, click here.
There are, of course, also gorgeous fireworks in Paris for the 14th, with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop. Many people will congregate on the Champ de Mars to enjoy them, along with the musical accompaniment! This year, the theme of the display and music is “love;” to see how this is interpreted, be on the Champ de Mars before 9pm, when the concert begins. The fireworks will be launched at 11pm and are sure to be a gorgeous site!
Bonne fête de la Fédération à tous !
Image: Yann Caradec