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Bon 14 Juillet! Today, 14th July, is Bastille Day, France’s biggest national public holiday and major celebration of the start of the French Revolution in 1789.

Bastille Day Fireworks

Bon 14 Juillet! Today, 14th July, is Bastille Day, France’s biggest national public holiday and major celebration of the start of the French Revolution in 1789.

Public and private celebrations are taking place all over France today, with a military parade in the Champs Elysees, Paris; some spectacular balls, dances and firework displays; concerts and other musical performances and extended families coming together to enjoy good food and wine.

Banks, post offices, many shops and some restaurants are closed, but travel should not be much affected. Many will be cheering on French cyclists in the Tour de France, as they ride some hard hills in the Chambéry to Gap stage of the race.

The Bastille was a notorious Paris prison that epitomised the arbitrary power of the French monarchy. Its storming in 1789 eventually led to the establishment of the Republic, with its principles of liberty, brotherhood and freedom.

Charles Dickens’ novel, A Tale of Two Cities, is based in the revolution and of course features the dreaded Madame la Guillotine.