July 14: the history of the national day

On 16/07/2025

Fireworks, military parades, concerts and popular dances. July 14th is a day like no other: it's France's national holiday.
Waka Trip tells you all about the origins of this historic, symbolic and popular date.

The French Revolution

July 14, 1789

Fearful of a potential food shortage, the people of Paris rebelled for almost 10 days.
On July 14, 1789, some 80,000 people seized the rifles stored at the Invalides. They then set off for the Bastille, the royal prison and symbol of absolute power, to obtain gunpowder and bullets.
On this day, the rioters seized the Bastille.

This day marks the beginning of the French Revolution, the one that brought new ideas that would become the motto of the French Republic.
“Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité”.

July 14, 1790: the Fête de la Fédération

A year later, France was celebrating its new-found unity.
On July 14, 1790, a major celebration was held on the Champ-de-Mars in Paris: the Fête de la Fédération.

Imagine 100,000 people gathered around one idea: that of a united nation, beyond social or regional differences. King Louis XVI even swore an oath to the Constitution.

The mood was one of reconciliation and hope. A moment of grace before the Reign of Terror.

A date forgotten, then rediscovered

For a long time, July 14th was not celebrated.
It wasn't until 1880, under the Third Republic, that it officially became France's national day.

Why this date? To commemorate both the storming of the Bastille (1789) and the Fête de la Fédération (1790). A powerful symbol: that of the Revolution, but also of unity.

The Republic seized upon it to anchor its identity in history and its commitment to freedom and democracy.

July 14th today: a celebration of the people, a celebration of the country

Today, July 14th means :

The military parade on the Champs-Élysées, in the presence of the President of the Republic.
Fireworks displays in all the major towns and villages.
Popular concerts and balls, where people dance in the streets until the end of the night.

It's a moment of joy, of togetherness, of pride.
A day when the Republic celebrates its values and its citizens.

A living heritage to discover

To travel around France on July 14th is to experience a unique moment.

Whether in Paris under the lights of the Trocadero, in a small Breton port or on a square in the South of France, the atmosphere is one of communion.

We sing, we dance, we remember. The past meets the present.
On July 14th, you'll find the real France and its values.