Quatorze Juillet – a national holiday - Francecomfort Holiday parks

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The most important national holiday in France is the 14^th of July: "Quatorze Juillet", a day which all the French celebrate. If you are on holiday in France on or around this day, you will notice it. Whether you're in Provence, Dordogne, Languedoc, Gironde, Poitou-Charentes or the Alps, festivals, events and music are organized everywhere. The French flag flies on government buildings and many French people pin a rosette with the colours of the flag. In other lands, people also hang the country’s flag on their own homes on public holidays, however this is not customary in France. On July 14^th, the French commemorate two important moments in history. The first was the beginning of the French Revolution on 14 July 1789 when the Bastille was stormed and secondly the feast of the Federation on 14 July 1790. From 1880, after the fall of the Second French Empire and the transition to the French Third Republic, this day was established as a national holiday and was celebrated exuberantly: with events, music and in the evening a large fireworks display is held in many places.

1789: French Revolution begins in Paris

In the years before 1789, the French government and her citizens grew further and further apart. King Louis XVI had absolute power and lived with part of the nobility in luxury and opulence while the citizens, craftsmen and shopkeepers became poorer and poorer. In 1789 the people revolted. In order to obtain weapons, the people forced their way into the Hôtel des Invalides, where the king's weapons were stored. The gunpowder for the weapons was in the Bastille. Moreover, many political prisoners were imprisoned in the Bastille. This gave plenty of reasons to storm the Bastille. On July the 14^th, 1789, the mob invaded the prison and demanded the surrender of Bernard-René Launay, the prison's military leader. The prisoners were freed. This liberation is the most symbolic moment of the French Revolution: it was the first time that the people revolted against the king when the king could do nothing about it. The king's power was no longer absolute. The people then went to Versailles, which is where Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette lived. The king, his wife and members of the court were beheaded. A year after the storming of the Bastille, this event is commemorated and celebrated during the Fête de la Féderation. The motto of the French Republic is Liberté, égalité, fraternité (liberty, equality, fraternity). This slogan was officially enshrined in the French Constitution in 1848.

Bastille

The Bastille was built during the Hundred Years' War between France and England in the 14th century to protect the east side of Paris. The fortifications were called "Bastides" at that time. Over the years, the name "Bastide" has been changed to "Bastille". Originally, it was a castle with walls 30m high and one meter thick. Later, during the reign of Louis XIII, it became a prison where prisoners who were seen as enemies of the king were imprisoned. That is why the storming of the Bastille, where the allies of the citizens were imprisoned, is so important: the monarchy living in luxury had fallen!

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Quatorze Juillet in Paris

Paris, the city where the storming of the Bastille took place, was the centre of attention during this important day. The day begins with a military parade down the Champs Élysées towards the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde. The start signal is given by La Patrouille de France with its Alpha Jets, fighter jets that fly over Paris with roaring sounds and plumes of red, white and blue smoke. The military parade with about 4,000 soldiers from the air force, army and navy, police officers and firefighters is the oldest and largest in Europe. The army vehicles and the gardes républicaines on horses and in traditional uniforms all make this event every impressive. The French president leads the parade. In the evening, there is a concert on the Champs-de-Mars, the park in front of the Eiffel Tower, with works by Mozart, Wagner, Verdi or Berlioz. This national day ends with a stunning firework display at the Eiffel Tower.

14^th of July in several major cities

Marseille – Military parade on Avenue du Prado, open-air cinema, fireworks show in the old port and citadel
Lyon – Military parade at La Place Bellecour, music at the Saône river, fireworks show at La Colline de Fourvière
Toulouse – Military parade through the city, concert on Prairie des Filtres, fireworks show on the Garonne River
Strasbourg – Bal populaire on Place de Bourse, bal des Pompiers in the Caserne, fireworks in the Parc de l'Etoile

Nice – Parade Promenade des Anglais, festivities, concert Les Jardins Albert I, fireworks
Montpellier – Military parade Place de la Comédie, musical performances, fireworks Charpak Park
Bordeaux – Quai des Chartrons military parade, music festivals, fireworks show with music over the Garonne
Lille – Military parade Boulevard de la Liberté, Concert St. Sauveur, fireworks Champs de Mars
Cannes – Fireworks Festival at the Bay of Cannes
Carcassonne – Fireworks show in the medieval fortress « Le Cité »
Annecy – Fireworks and music show at Lake Annecy

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Parties in fire stations

Quatorze Juillet is celebrated in almost all cities and towns in France. There are all kinds of sporty, cultural, musical and gastronomic events throughout the day. Some attend a picnic with a musical touch or go to a bal musette (a dance accompanied by accordion music). Others go to the bal des pompiers: the annual ball that takes place in the fire station. Every village has its own festive, symbolic place where people come together. In France, it is not allowed to set off your own fireworks. However, almost every village has a fireworks show once a year. Unlike other countries organising such a firework display on New Year's Eve, but on the Quatorze Juillet, because that is the most beautiful and important party in France.

Marseillaise

The Marseillaise is the official anthem of France. The original version is a song written and composed in Strasbourg by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle, a captain in the French army, on the night of April 25-26, 1792.

The song owes its name Marseillaise to the fact that the troops from Marseille sang the song during their entry into Paris during the French Revolution. The seventh verse, also called "the Children's Verse," was added to the original song in October 1792. The author of this verse is unknown. There are several people who claim they wrote this verse.

Allons enfants de la Patrie, le jour de gloire est arrivé! Contre nous de la tyrannie L'étendard sanglant est levé. L'étendard sanglant est levé: Entendez-vous dans les campagnes Mugir ces féroces soldats? Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras Égorger vos fils, vos compagnes!	Come children of the Fatherland, the day of glory has come! Against us of tyranny The bloody standard is raised. The bloody standard is raised: Can you hear in the countryside These ferocious soldiers roar? They come into your arms Tearing the throats of your sons, your companions!
Refrein: Aux armes, citoyens, Formez vos bataillons. Marchons! Marchons! Qu'un sang impur Abreuve nos sillons	Refrein: To arms, citizens, Form your battalions. March on! Let us march! May impure blood Water our furrows

Quatorze Juillet in the vicinity of your holiday park

On the 14^th of July events are also organised in the vicinity of your holiday park. If you want to experience this festive atmosphere
of this French holiday during your holiday, ask the reception at your holiday park for more information.
They can tell you more about the activities that are organised in the area.
For a more detailed programme of the 14th of July, please visit evous.fr.

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