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The national day
14 July becomes the national day in 1880. This choice commemorates 14 July 1789 and 14 July 1790.
Key points of the sheet
- On 14 July 1789, people from Paris enter the Bastille prison. This is the storming of the Bastille, the start of the French Revolution.
- The French Revolution is the revolt of the people against the Ancien Régime. The storming of the Bastille symbolises the fight for liberty.
- On 14 July 1790, the first Festival of the Federation takes place. Representatives of all the provinces of France meet in Paris, in the presence of King Louis XVI.
- Today, 14 July is a key moment of republican life. A military parade takes place on the Champs-Élysées, with the President of the Republic present.
- It is also a popular celebration across the whole country. There are fireworks, concerts and dances.
Words to know
- national day (fête nationale)
- 14 July has been the national day since 1880.
- storming of the Bastille (prise de la Bastille)
- On 14 July 1789, people from Paris enter the Bastille prison.
- French Revolution (Révolution française)
- It is the revolt of the people against the Ancien Régime.
- Festival of the Federation (Fête de la Fédération)
- The first one takes place on 14 July 1790, for the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille.
- military parade (défilé militaire)
- On 14 July, it takes place in Paris, on the Champs-Élysées, with the President of the Republic present.
Test yourself: 3 questions
In what year does 14 July become the national day?
In French, the language of the exam: En quelle année le 14 juillet devient-il la fête nationale ?
14 July becomes the national day in 1880.
What happens on 14 July 1790?
In French, the language of the exam: Que se passe-t-il le 14 juillet 1790 ?
14 July 1790 is the first Festival of the Federation.
Which king is present at the 1790 Festival of the Federation?
In French, the language of the exam: Quel roi est présent à la Fête de la Fédération de 1790 ?
The representatives of the provinces meet in Paris in the presence of King Louis XVI.
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Questions on the ministry's list that rest on this sheet
- What is traditionally held on the Champs-Élysées on 14 July?
- What is the date of the French national day?
- What does 14 July mean for the French?
More in this topic (The symbols of the Republic)
Source
Sheet “La fête nationale” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.