Bastille Day - Facts for Kids

Basic Information

Bastille Day is France’s biggest and most important holiday, celebrated every year on July 14th!

The French don’t actually call it “Bastille Day” – in France, it’s known as “La Fête Nationale” (The Country’s Big Party) or “Le Quatorze Juillet” (The Fourteenth of July)!

Bastille Day celebrates when angry people broke into the Bastille prison in Paris on July 14, 1789, which started the French Revolution (a big change in how France was run)!

The Bastille was a huge stone building with walls around 78 feet (24 m) high and 10 feet (3 m) thick that was used as a prison in Paris — that’s as tall as an 8‑story building!

Before becoming a holiday, Bastille Day was first celebrated in 1790 as the “Fête de la Fédération” (The Unity Festival) to remember the first year after the revolution!

People in more than 50 countries around the world celebrate Bastille Day, especially in places where French families live!

The colors blue, white, and red (known as the tricolor or three-color flag) became the symbols of French freedom during the revolution and are still used in Bastille Day celebrations today!

Bastille Day celebration lasts for an entire day, with some cities holding events and parties that go on until the next day!

The motto (special saying) of France, “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité” (Freedom, Fairness, Friendship), became popular during the French Revolution and is an important part of Bastille Day celebrations!

Bastille Day became an official holiday in France in 1880, almost 100 years after people actually broke into the Bastille!

History & Origins

When angry people from Paris broke into the Bastille in 1789, they were looking for gunpowder (explosive powder for guns) and weapons more than trying to free prisoners!

There were only seven prisoners in the Bastille when it was broken into, not hundreds as many people think!

The key to the Bastille prison can still be seen today — it’s displayed at George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon, in America!

The Bastille prison was completely torn down within five months of being broken into, and people used its stones to build bridges and houses!

The boss (commander) of the Bastille, Bernard-René de Launay, tried to give up peacefully but was killed by the angry crowd!

A former soldier named Pierre-François Palloy became famous for selling pieces of the Bastille as souvenirs (special keepsakes)!

The place where the Bastille once stood is now a beautiful square called Place de la Bastille, with a tall column (tower) in the middle!

The first Bastille Day celebration included a huge feast where people from all over France brought food to share!

King Louis XVI wrote in his diary on July 14, 1789, just one word: “Nothing” — because he didn’t know about the revolution starting yet!

The Bastille prison was first built in the 1300s to protect Paris from English attacks during the Hundred Years’ War (a very long war)!

Traditions & Customs

The biggest Bastille Day parade in France takes place on the Champs-Élysées (a famous street) in Paris, where soldiers, tanks, and aircraft all take part!

Firefighters in France host special parties called “Bals des Pompiers” (Firefighters’ Dance Parties) on the evening of July 13th and 14th!

French people love to have picnics and family get-togethers in parks and public spaces on Bastille Day!

Many French towns and villages hold their own smaller Bastille Day parades and festivals with music, dancing, and games!

Children often get small French flags and tricolor pinwheels (spinning toy wheels) to wave during Bastille Day celebrations!

Some people dress up in old-fashioned 18th-century costumes (clothes from the 1700s) to act out scenes from the French Revolution!

Many French communities hold evening lantern parades called “retraites aux flambeaux” (torch light walk-abouts) around the Bastille Day celebrations!

Town halls (government buildings) across France display the words “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité” decorated with blue, white, and red streamers during Bastille Day!

French people greet each other with “Bonne Fête Nationale!” (Happy Country Party Day!) on Bastille Day!

Many French families make a tradition of watching the military parade on TV together during Bastille Day!

Food & Treats

A traditional Bastille Day meal often includes pâté (meat spread), cheese, baguettes (long French bread), and lots of fresh fruits!

Blue, white, and red macarons (small colorful cookies) are popular treats during Bastille Day celebrations!

On Bastille Day, many families enjoy special picnics called “pique-niques républicains” (freedom picnics) with traditional French foods!

Champagne (a bubbly wine) is the traditional drink for toasting on Bastille Day, while children enjoy special fruit syrups!

Traditional French pastries (baked goods) like croissants and pain au chocolat (chocolate bread) are eaten for breakfast on Bastille Day!

Some communities hold giant shared meals called “banquets républicains” (freedom feasts) where everyone shares food together on or around Bastille Day!

Decorations & Symbols

The French tricolor flag (three-colored flag) is shown everywhere during Bastille Day — on buildings, in windows, and even on faces as face paint!

On Bastille Day, many people in France — and around the world at themed events — wear clothing in blue, white, and red to show their love for their country and celebrate the French flag!

The Eiffel Tower is specially lit up in the tricolor colors for Bastille Day celebrations!

The Marianne, a woman wearing a special cap called a Phrygian cap (freedom hat), is an important symbol of French freedom seen during celebrations!

During Bastille Day celebrations in France, streets are often decorated with tricolor (blue, white, and red) streamers, ribbons, flags, and balloons!

Children often make paper cockades (round badges) in red, white, and blue to wear during Bastille Day celebrations!

Many people — especially children — do paint their faces with small French flags or tricolor designs during Bastille Day celebrations!

Music & Entertainment

“La Marseillaise,” France’s country song (national anthem), is sung throughout the day and was written during the French Revolution!

On Bastille Day, amazing fireworks displays light up the sky over cities and towns across France!

On Bastille day, military bands (soldier music groups) perform special concerts in parks and public spaces!

Global Celebrations

The biggest Bastille Day celebration in the U.S. happens in New York City, while the largest one in all of North America takes place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin!

Many cities in Canada hold special Bastille Day events, especially in Quebec (where French is spoken)!

South Africa has a large French festival in Franschhoek, a town built by French settlers (people who moved there long ago)!

In Mumbai, special French cultural events and film festivals happen around Bastille Day — led by the French Consulate and Alliance Française!