Red, White, and Blue. Common colours for flags used around the world. Most likely you’ve heard them associated with USAmericans with their well known flag: ‘The Stars and Stripes’, or even the United Kingdom with the Union Jack. However, there is another country that shows these colours with pride, especially on a day such as today: France!

Today, I’ve taken a daytrip to the City of Carcassonne in southern France alongside some of my chums from my studies. Here we’ll be witnessing first hand the celebrations of Bastille day and just how the French show their pride for their country.

Known locally as ‘Le Quatorze Juillet’ (The Fourteenth of July), Bastille day is a day of great celebration for the country often met with Military parades, grand fireworks displays, and town wide decorations to commemorate the occasion; but just why is this day so important to the French?

The History of Bastille Day

The day commemorates the Storming of the Bastille – a fortress in Paris – which took place on the 14th of July, 1789. The taking of this fortress was seen around France as a signifyicant moment of the revolution. From this day on, the Bastille was now in control of the revolutionaries, and soon, similar events began to occur around the country. The French Revolution had begun.

The revolution was a long time coming, for decades the poor of the country had been living in terrible poverty and recent financial crises had devastated the lower classes. The upper classes such as the royals and ministers were either uninterested in or incapable of helping the people of France. The country became unstable, and the divide between the rich and the poor became more and more apparent.

The American Revolution of 1776 was fresh on everyone’s mind, especially as many of the French had fought alongside them against the British. Thoughts of revolution began to catch, and soon, the country was engulfed. Once the Bastille had been taken, there was no stopping the future. Within a decade of this event, the revolution had succeeded. The French monarch had been deposed, the Republic of France had been created, and Napoleon had become the First Consul; the leader of France.

The revolution changed the French people forever, and today is the day when they show their gratitude for everything the country was able to become since that first battle.

A Parade through Town

I arrived in Carcassonne a little before the parade began, giving me time to meet up with my friends and explore a bit of the town. Throughout the town, large arrays of ribbons were suspended above the streets. I’m not sure if they were intended to be as decorations for the celebrations but it certainly added to the atmosphere.

After wandering the streets for a while and seeing a few local hotspots, we before long found ourselves gravitated towards the main street where loud music had begun to emanate.

Emerging onto the street, we were greeted by hundreds of people lining it. Thunderous applause lifted over the marching song as the many service personnel of Carcassonne parade through the street. The main people I was able to spot were the Pompier and Pompière (Firemen and firewomen) who, amongst the waving and smiling, would occasionally play the sirens; much to the delight of the children watching.

Dotted along the street were numerous military personnel; some veterans, others active duty. All were saluting or otherwise showing their respects to the service members, a true show of solidarity between those protecting the people of France, no matter how.

The applause didn’t die out the entire time we stood to watch, with both the paraders and the paradees showing their support for all those involved. Before long, the last car had passed and the road was once again opened for people to carry on with their day, until the celebrations began again later in the evening that is!

Throughout the rest of Carcassonne, French flags and military pride is shown in everywhere. Each shop window had the Red White and Blue stripes shown proudly, there were gifts and souvenirs helping travellers to commemorate their time here. The main draw of Carcassonne though, is the magnificient walled city found on the other side of the river…

…but that’s a story for another time.

Bastille Day elsewhere

Throughout the nation of France, the fourteenth of July is celebrated immensely. Large firework displays are commonplace and Toulouse itself launched an incredible display last night. Popular spots to see celebrations include Paris – where different parades and shows are found all throughout the city; Lyon and Toulouse – where fireworks shows are launched all around the cities respective rivers; and of course Caracassonne – where the fireworks are set against the backdrop of the incredible walled city.

It’s not just France though, celebrations are done around the world for this important day. In London the city becomes a little bit more French for a week with more French shows on in theatres, and french food in restaurants. In the U.S. different cities with French populations, musical performances and firework displays are commonplace on the 14th. Even as far away as New Zealand, classic french performances are done around Auckland to commemorate this special day for the French people.

Sadly, the fireworks display here in Carcassonne begins at nearly 11pm, and with my project beginning again on Tuesday morning I’d prefer not to be stranded across France only a few hours before. My friends, however, did decide to stay and if I can get their permission I’ll post many pictures and videos in an update to this post.

For now though, I’ll be doing the same as I think many around the world (but especially in France), watching a few livestreams of the different celebrations happening everywhere, and eating a few croissants with my utmost respect for this brilliant country!

Au revoir

Cassie