Today is France's biggest day of celebration, referred to as La Fete Nationale or simply le quatorze juillet, the 14th of July. The day marks the success of the storming of the notorious Bastille prison by the people of Paris in 1789, an event that led to the birth of the modern republic.

Celebrations take place all over France, with the biggest military parade providing a great spectacle in the Champs Elysees. This evening the sky at dusk will be alive with the blaze of fireworks as the French people reaffirm their constitutional commitment to freedom, equality and brotherhood.

We wish a wonderful day (bon quatorze Juillet)to the French people and anyone lucky enough to be visiting France and allowing themselves to be swept up in the festivities.