July 14th in France: traditions, the military parade and national day celebrations in Provence
- virginieinprovence
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
July 14th is the French National Day. Every year, this public holiday brings French people together for a wide range of celebrations: military parades, traditional dances, concerts, official ceremonies, and fireworks displays.
If you are travelling in France during the summer, July 14th is a wonderful opportunity to discover French culture and the festive atmosphere that can be felt throughout the country.
Why do we celebrate July 14th in France?
Outside France, this holiday is often called "Bastille Day". However, French people rarely use this expression. We simply refer to it as "July 14th" or "the national day".
Among friends and family, it is common to ask:
"What are you doing for July 14th?"
This day symbolizes freedom, the Republic and national unity.
July 14th in Provence
What about you? What are you doing in Provence on July 14th?
We live in Rousset, a charming Provençal village located between Aix-en-Provence and the Sainte-Victoire mountain. As in many towns and villages across Provence, the celebrations begin the day before. This year, the town hall is organizing a concert in the village square starting at 6:30 pm.
The following day, a commemorative ceremony will be held in honour of those who served France.
Due to the heatwave and the particularly high risk of wildfires in Provence, the fireworks display has unfortunately been cancelled this year.
For us, this July 14th will be all about spending time together as a couple. Our children are spending a few days with their grandmother in Toulouse, so we will enjoy a lovely evening together.
The Bastille: a symbol of the French Revolution
But first, what exactly was the Bastille?
The Bastille was a fortress built in Paris during the 14th century under the reign of King Charles V. Construction began in 1370 and took thirteen years to complete.
Over time, the Bastille became a prison and eventually came to symbolize the absolute power of the monarchy.
On July 14th, 1789, the people of Paris stormed the Bastille. This event marked the beginning of the French Revolution and remains one of the most powerful symbols in French history.
The fortress was later completely demolished.
The military parade on July 14th in Paris
In most French towns and cities, July 14th is celebrated with concerts, traditional dances, commemorative ceremonies and fireworks displays. However, the most iconic event of the national day is undoubtedly the grand military parade in Paris.
Held on the Champs-Élysées since 1880, it is considered one of the largest military parades in the world. The only period when it did not take place was during the German occupation in the Second World War.
All branches of the French armed forces are represented. The troops march down the Champs-Élysées before saluting the President of the Republic. The spectacle then continues in the sky with impressive flyovers by the French Air and Space Force.
Traditionally, the firefighters bring up the rear of the parade. At the end of the event, they join members of the Air Force to meet the public and answer visitors' questions.
The parade lasts approximately two hours and attracts thousands of spectators in Paris as well as millions of television viewers in France and abroad. It is an impressive spectacle and a great way to discover the different branches of the French armed forces.
Bastille Day fireworks
Fireworks are among the most popular Bastille Day traditions in France.
Every year, thousands of towns and villages organize their own pyrotechnic displays.
In Provence, however, these events are sometimes cancelled because of the high wildfire risk caused by drought and extreme summer temperatures.
In Paris, the Bastille Day fireworks display is a must-see event. It is launched from the Eiffel Tower and attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators. Many people gather on the Champ de Mars to enjoy the show from the best possible location.
To secure a good spot, some people are willing to wait for several hours. As we say in French, they "faire le pied de grue" – they wait around for a very long time!
For those who prefer to avoid the crowds, Montmartre also offers stunning views of the Paris fireworks display.
As we say in Provence, sometimes you have to pick your battles!
A little French vocabulary
French | English |
La France | France |
La Provence | Provence |
Le 14 juillet | Bastille Day |
La fête nationale | National Day |
Un défilé | A parade |
Un feu d'artifice | Fireworks |
Un bal populaire | A dance / street dance |
Un concert | A concert |
Une cérémonie commémorative | A commemorative ceremony |
French expressions
Faire le pied de grue: to wait around for a long time.
Choisir ses combats: to pick your battles.
Discover Provence in a different way
If you come and stay with me for a French immersion experience in Provence, I will help you discover every aspect of the region: its landscapes, scents, heritage, gastronomy and local traditions, while helping you improve your French in everyday situations.
See you soon in Provence!
Virginie in Provence
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