Origins of Bastille Day: The Storming of the Bastille and French National Holiday

The Storming of the Bastille

• ⚡ The origins of Bastille Day, celebrated on July 14th, trace back to the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789.
• 🏛️ The Bastille prison no longer exists, with only a small underground remnant visible in the Paris Metro at Place de la Bastille.
• 🇫🇷 This event marked the beginning of the end of the French monarchy and the establishment of the French Republic.

Evolution of the Celebration

• 🗓️ While the storming occurred in 1789, the annual ceremony to mark this day has only been a regular event since 1880.
• 📍 The military parade, a central part of the celebration, has taken place in various locations in Paris, including Lon and Vincennes.
• 👑 Since the election of François Mitterrand in 1981, the parade has predominantly occurred down the Champs-Élysées to Place de la Concorde, showcasing the French armed forces.

Recent Parade Variations

• ⚠️ The parade has not always been held on the Champs-Élysées; notable exceptions include 2020 due to the COVID outbreak.
• 🏅 Last year, the parade was moved to Avenue Foch due to preparations for the Olympic Games.