The Local France

France's Bastille Day celebrations to take place amid tight security due to riot fears

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 17:35:38 +0200

France's annual July 14th celebrations will take place amid tight security this year, with 130,000 police on duty and an early finish to public transport in big cities as authorities worry about a resurgence of riot violence.

Bastille Day: What will France’s July 14th 'fête nationale' look like this year?

Thu, 09 Jul 2020 13:15:18 +0200

While things are getting back to normal in France, many summer festivals and celebrations have been cancelled due to ongoing coronavirus crisis. So what will the traditional Bastille Day celebration look like this year?

France's biggest celebration: What you need to know about Bastille Day

Fri, 12 Jul 2019 19:18:07 +0200

Fireman’s balls, parades and fireworks... Bastille Day is all about revving up that revolutionary feel. The Local explains.

France marks Bastille Day with major military parade as World Cup final awaits

Sun, 15 Jul 2018 11:31:20 +0200

Fighter jets streaked over Paris on Saturday as part of a massive military parade in a "demonstration of controlled force" on France's national day, due to be followed by a street party if "Les Bleus" win the World Cup.

July 14th in Paris: How to make the most of Bastille Day celebrations

Fri, 13 Jul 2018 17:13:10 +0200

This year's Bastille Day celebrations on Saturday promise to be even more lively and patriotic than ever given France are playing in the World Cup final the next day. Here's how to make the most of them if you are in Paris.

WATCH: French military band dazzles Macron, Trump with Daft Punk rendition

Fri, 14 Jul 2017 16:10:51 +0200

A French military band broke from tradition at the Bastille Day parade on Friday, dropping martial music for a rendition of "Get Lucky" by French electro superstars Daft Punk.

Macron tells Trump 'nothing will ever separate' France and US

Fri, 14 Jul 2017 11:45:15 +0200

French President Emmanuel Macron and US counterpart Donald Trump marked France's national day together on Friday at a military parade that showcased their warming relations.

French court bans 'obscene' Nice attack photos

Fri, 14 Jul 2017 11:55:37 +0200

A French court Thursday banned a magazine from republishing images from last year's Bastille Day attack that killed 86 people in Nice, but ignored calls to pull the issue from news stands.

How best to celebrate Bastille Day in France

Thu, 13 Jul 2017 17:06:00 +0200

Fireworks, military parades, firemen's balls - here are some of the best ways to celebrate July 14th in France this year.

Melania Trump's sightseeing tour of Paris: What's on the first lady's agenda?

Thu, 13 Jul 2017 11:24:07 +0200

The first lady of the US will be joining her French counterpart to see some of the great sights of Paris but where will she be visiting?

Spectacular July 14th fireworks light up Paris

Wed, 15 Jul 2015 10:43:37 +0200

Paris celebrated France's national Bastille Day in style on Tuesday with a huge fireworks bonanza that lit up the sky and showed exactly why the French capital is called the City of Light. Here's what you missed.

Bastille Day fireworks mark WW1 centenary

Tue, 15 Jul 2014 10:25:00 +0200

Paris put on a spectacular fireworks display on Monday night as part of the annual July 14th, Bastille Day celebrations. The 35-minute pyrotechnics display was designed to mark the centenary of World War One. See some of the impressive images and videos here.

Hollande tells French to ditch culture of complaint

Mon, 14 Jul 2014 19:18:00 +0200

President Francois Hollande on Monday pleaded with the French to be proud of their country in an attempt to boost confidence at a time of enduring gloom over record unemployment and faltering growth.

Austerity puts brakes on Bastille Day parade

Tue, 09 Jul 2013 19:50:00 +0200

With France in the tight grip of the economic crisis, it seems not even the country’s oldest, proudest traditions are to be spared. On Tuesday it was reported the government plans to cutback on the festivities surrounding this year’s Bastille Day parade.

Savoy separatists steal 38 French flags

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:14:51 +0200

Two separatists were arrested on July 14th after stealing 38 French flags in the Savoie department to mark their condemnation of the French state and the National Bastille Day.

Politicians attack critic of Bastille Day parade

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 14:04:00 +0200

French politicians on the right have turned on the green candidate for next year's presidential vote after she suggested scrapping the traditional July 14th military parade.