Bastille Day in The Villages FL

Bastille Day in The Villages FL

Sacré bleu! Celebrate the toppling of the long-standing French monarchy, symbolized by the storming of a fortress and political prison in Paris, on Bastille Day on July 14.

Nearly a dozen countries around the world have organized events and parties to commemorate the day — do you know how you’re going to celebrate Bastille Day?

HISTORY OF BASTILLE DAY

In France, Bastille Day is commonly known as ‘Fête Nationale,’ or the National Celebration. However, the English-speaking world has taken to calling it Bastille Day to honor the moment in 1789 when a mob of French revolutionaries charged into Paris’ Bastille, a major point in the French Revolution. The first celebration can be traced back to July 14, 1790, exactly one year after the Bastille fell. Since then, it has continued to grow, and large parties are held all over the world.

Bastille Day marks the anniversary of the fall of the Bastille in Paris and, later, the monarchy on July 14, 1789. Originally constructed as a medieval fortress, the Bastille was eventually used as a state prison. Prisoners who were directly sent there under orders of the king would get no trial or right of appeal, at times including political prisoners who spoke against the rules and laws set by the ruling king. Detained citizens awaiting trial were also held at the Bastille. Despite plans to demolish the building in the late 18th century, the Bastille had come to represent the Bourbon monarchy and the harsh acts carried out by them.

During the unrest of 1789, on July 14, a mob approached the Bastille to demand the arms and ammunition stored there, and, when the forces guarding the structure resisted, the attackers captured the prison and released the seven prisoners held there. The taking of the Bastille signaled the beginning of the French Revolution, and it thus became a symbol of the end of the ancient monarchical régime.

The holiday is known as ‘Fête Nationale’ in France, and officially became a holiday in 1880. Right from the beginning, military parades, fireworks, speeches, and public displays were a part of the celebrations, reveling in the downfall of the stringent monarchical rule. The slogan “Vive le 14 juillet!” (“Long live the 14th of July!”) has continued to be associated with the day. Former French colonies and countries with friendly relations with France also started observing the holiday. French Polynesia, in particular, adopted the holiday into its own culture, with dancing, singing, and entertainment performances held throughout the month of July.

BASTILLE DAY ACTIVITIES

• • Find a party near you

In the United States, more than 50 cities have established some form of an official Bastille Day celebration. Some of the largest are found in New York, Milwaukee, St. Louis, and New Orleans — all of which have large pockets of strong French influence.

• • Watch a documentary

The storming of the Bastille set in motion a chain of events that not only shaped the course of French history but had a profound impact on the forms of government that emerged in the 19th century. Take some time to learn about the wars, treaties, and shifting borders that all arose after the French Revolution by watching a documentary on the topic.

• • Throw your own party

Can’t make it to any of the biggest Bastille Day celebrations in America? No problem. Throwing a French-themed party is easy. If you’re not into the cliches and stereotypes, you can have a more authentic experience by serving what the Parisian locals actually drink. Citron Pressé on a hot summer’s day anyone?

5 FACTS ABOUT BASTILLE DAY

1. It isn’t called Bastille Day in France
   In France, the day is known as ‘Fête Nationale,’ or ‘National Celebration.’
2. Why the Bastille was stormed
   The storming of the Bastille occurred in 1789 due to rising tensions between the royalty and their subjects.
3. Down with the monarchy!
   Since the Bastille was a symbol of oppression and tyranny, it was singled out and raided.
4. The oldest military parade in Europe
   Bastille Day celebrations include the largest and oldest military parade since 1880, taking place on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
5. It took 91 years to become a national holiday
   Even though celebrations started the year following the storming of the Bastille, the holiday wasn’t made official until 1880.

WHY WE LOVE BASTILLE DAY

• • It symbolizes freedom

If you’ve ever seen the Palace of Versaille, then you probably have an idea why the rebellion began — one only needs so much gilded wood and pink marble to be happy in life. By storming the Bastille, the French commoners made it known that their voices would be heard and that they wanted freedom from the long-prevailing feudal system.

• • It’s a shared sentiment

All over the world, countries have started their own Bastille Day celebrations. Often, it begins in a pocket where there is a large French immigrant population. But the French food, wine, and culture that springs from these celebrations have attracted the local populations as well. It’s now known as an international day to feast, drink, and be free.

• • It’s a day to rest and recover

In many smaller towns throughout France, friends, neighbors, and family members get together the day before the official holiday, on July 13, to eat and drink. This makes the holiday even more important, giving them a perhaps much-needed day off to recover from the night before.

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