It’s la Fête nationale today!

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In the English speaking world it’s called Bastille Day but here it’s known simply as le 14 juillet. The French national holiday commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, a pivotal moment in the French Revolution. What began as an angry mob of anti-monarchists looking for ammunition against royal authoritarianism turned into an enduring symbol of that revolution and today’s national celebration of the French tripartite motto liberté, égalité et fraternité. Celebrations, including firework displays, are typically held throughout France and it heralds the start of the month-long French holidays.

President Macron will be hosting the oldest and largest regular military parade – much envied by Trump who was present last year –  this morning on the Champs Elysees in Paris which is always worth watching, if only on the television. I assume my invite for this year’s celebrations got lost in the post!

 

32 thoughts on “It’s la Fête nationale today!”

  1. We. Just have been invited then as we sit in Chinon Place Jeanne d’Arc watching the ceremony which includes 8 fire engines! There may be a similar such celebratory day in England soon!

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    1. Absolutely! Every small town celebrates. We had a firework display and a small parade. Obviously, because of what happened on 14 July 2016 in Nice our celebrations continue to be tinged with some sadness.

      Liked by 1 person

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      3. Oh goodness! What cruel act!
        I really am horrified… How can people like this exist who can just kill people different than them? I really hate terrorists… But I think they are also trapped by the ‘brainwashing’ they have to go through.
        So sad to know something so bad can happen in a place called Nice 😢 😦

        Liked by 1 person

  4. La Fête Nationale (old Bastille and still known outside of France) , but I have so many difficult to get excited for it. There are doing even fireworks in my town at 23h and Celtic dances to show the difference lol! We are in Brittany!!!

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  5. Sadly, the parade isn’t what was envied. It was the national pride that our left-wing is against. Our left thinks our Country sucks and nobody should be proud of it. It’s a small, but exceedingly loud, minority.

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    1. No, the French aren’t interested in cricket but we’ll be dividing our time between, the Tour de France, Wimbledon final and cricket.

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