| Bastille Day is celebrated throughout France each | | | | along the Champs-Elysées as the parade starts |
| year on the 14th of July. It commemorates the | | | | at the Arc de Triomphe and finishes at Place de la |
| "Storming of the Bastille" that took place on this | | | | Concorde. |
| very day in 1798, a day which marked the | | | | This parade is a military one, led by the cadets, |
| beginning of the French Revolution. | | | | infantry troops, motorised troops, the French |
| The Bastille was a castle, which actually served as | | | | Republican Guard, the Police and last but not least |
| a prison. Although the castle has long gone, | | | | - the city's very much loved Fire Brigade! Flying |
| visitors can head for place de la Bastille - a square | | | | overhead the parade spectators can watch a |
| which lies between the 4th and the 12th | | | | flypast performed by the French Air Force and |
| arrondissements in an area called Bastille. The "July | | | | the Naval Air Force. |
| Column" stands in this square today along with the | | | | The President of France along with the foreign |
| Bastille Opera and the Bastille Metro Station. | | | | ambassadors also attend the event which is |
| Come to this square the evening before the big | | | | considered to be the largest military parade in |
| day to enjoy a massive outdoor party. Or you | | | | Europe and is broadcasted live on French TV. |
| can also pop along to one of the many fire | | | | The celebrations continue right throughout the day |
| stations in the city where the fire fighters put on | | | | with lots of entertainment and music on the |
| a great street party with live music! | | | | streets and in most pubs and clubs. At night |
| You'll have to rise early the next morning if you | | | | make your way to the Champ-de-Mars to watch |
| want a good viewing spot as the Bastille Day | | | | the superb fireworks display at the Trocadéro. |
| Parade starts at 10am. Expect huge crowds and | | | | After the fireworks head back into the buzzing |
| lots of streets to be blocked so it may be quite | | | | city centre and get ready to party the night |
| difficult to get around. Try to find a viewing spot | | | | away! |