What is Bastille Day?

Bastille Day is the French National Holiday. It commemorates the Storming of the Bastille of July 14th, 1789.

Bastille Day 2011 in Paris
The military parade will pass down the famous Champs Elysées Avenue on July 14th 2011 from 10am to 12am.
Bastille Day Fireworks will illuminate the Eiffel tower, starting at 10.45pm on July 14th 2011.

Watch the 2011 Eiffel Tower Fireworks online
Please visit 14juillet.paris.fr/. The show will start at 10.45pm on July 14th (Paris Time).

In the meantime, discover the history, main characters and symbols of the French Revolution (1789).

French Revolution Chronology

The Political Crisis

The French Social Hierarchy Before The Revolution
The Economic Crisis

Louis XVI Facing an Economic Turmoil
The Estates General meeting

A General Assembly to Solve the Crisis
Storming of the Bastille

July 14th, 1789 the Storming of the Bastille
The French Revolution

The French Revolution and the End of the Monarchy
The Reign of Terror

The End of the French Revolution

French Revolution Biographies

Louis XVI

King of France and Navarre (1754-1792)
Marie Antoinette

Queen of France and Navarre (1755-1793)
Maximilien de Robespierre

Lawyer & Voice of the Poorest (1758-1794)
Jean Paul Marat

Journalist and Politician (1743-1793)
Georges Jacques Danton

Lawyer and Politician (1759-1794)
Marquis de Lafayette

General of the army and politician (1757-1834)
Emmmanuel Joseph Sieyes

Clergyman and Politician (1748-1836)
Mirabeau

Journalist and Politician (1749-1791)
Jacques Necker

Banker and Politician (1732-1804)
Camille Desmoulins

Lawyer, journalist and Revolutionary (1760-1794)

French Revolution Symbols

The Guillotine

French Revolution Symbol
The Phrygian cap

Symbol of liberty
The French Flag

Blue, White and Red
La Marseillaise

France National Anthem