Bastille Day

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Bastille Day Facts & Quotes

• The theme for Bastille Day in 2021 was Freedom.
• The French Revolution was brought about partially due to the unequal class system found in France during the late 1700s. The Catholic clergy held the highest position, next came Louis XVI and his court, and lastly were the general population. Without the benefit of being born into a higher class, the general population had almost no hope of every bettering their station in life.
• Louis XVI's spending at Versailles and his financial support of the American Revolutionary War against the British, placed France in severe economic crisis. The general population was starving while King Louix XVI was building a great navy and continuing his lavish lifestyle in Versailles.
• The French flag consists of blue, white and red. White was the colour of the Monarchy and red and blue represented Paris. During the Revolution, the white was surrounded by blue and then red.
• A revolution can be neither made nor stopped. The only thing that can be done is for one of several of its children to give it a direction by dint of victories. - Napoleon Bonaparte

Bastille Day Top Events and Things to Do

• Watch the Fireworks at the Eiffel Tower. They usually start around 11pm and can be viewed from the Champs de Mars and Trocadero.
• Attend a French military parade.
• Visit a French national museum as most are free to visit on Bastille Day or visit a local firehouse in France - they are open to the public on this holiday.
• Watch a movie or a documentary about the French Revolution. Our picks: The French Revolution(2005), Jefferson in Paris (1995), Marie Antoinette (2006), Danton (1983) and That Night in Varennes (1982)
• Go out to a French Restaurant. Many have specials for this day.

Bastille Day References and Related Sites