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What does 14 July mean for the French?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: The storming of the Bastille, the start of the French Revolution. 14 July recalls the storming of the Bastille in 1789, the start of the French Revolution. It is also the Fête de la Fédération of 1790. It has been the national day since 1880, with a military parade and fireworks.
Sources: Sheet “La fête nationale” (French), read on 21 October 2026. Answer written by Hexaciv from this source. Hexaciv is an independent preparation tool. It is not an official website, is not linked to any government body and does not give legal advice. The authoritative source is the Ministry of the Interior's, cited on this page.
The four choices and why
- ✓ The storming of the Bastille, the start of the French RevolutionLa prise de la Bastille, début de la Révolution françaiseCorrect answer. 14 July recalls the storming of the Bastille in 1789, the start of the French Revolution. It is also the Fête de la Fédération of 1790. It has been the national day since 1880, with a military parade and fireworks.
- ✗ The end of the First World WarLa fin de la Première Guerre mondialeIt is marked on 11 November.
- ✗ The 1945 victory and the end of the Second World WarLa victoire de 1945 et la fin de la Seconde Guerre mondialeIt is marked on 8 May.
- ✗ The creation of the European UnionLa création de l'Union européenneEurope is celebrated on 9 May, not 14 July.
What the source says
« Cet événement, que l’on appelle la prise de la Bastille, marque le début de la Révolution française »
Sentence copied word for word from the source, in French, read on 21 October 2026.
How it reads on exam day
The exam is in French, so this is the question you will see: « Que rappelle la date du 14 juillet pour les Français ? ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question comes from the list of the naturalisation version of the exam (PDF relayed by Le Français des affaires, read on 14 October 2026; the Ministry's own page for this list did not answer). The list's wording: “Que signifie la date du 14 juillet pour les Français ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “La fête nationale” (French).
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