| As one of Europe's most enduring romantic and | | | | formation, as the march moves from the Arc de |
| historical cities, Paris has continued to | | | | Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde while |
| capture the attention of travellers from | | | | the fire brigade brings up the rear. |
| around the world for centuries. British | | | | |
| holiday-makers in particular have enjoyed a | | | | In fact, the fire brigade plays a large part |
| long relationship with Paris, partly as a | | | | in Paris' Bastille Day celebrations. The |
| result of its close proximity but also due to | | | | night before Bastille Day sees a range of |
| its sophisticated allure. But if you've been | | | | balls and parties being held all across the |
| to Paris many times before and you're looking | | | | capital, and firefighters are at the centre |
| for something new to enjoy in France's | | | | of these bals des pompiers. Bastille Square |
| spectacular capital city, make sure to visit | | | | is also a popular venue for dancing on the |
| in July when Bastille Day celebrations take | | | | eve of the Fête Nationale and there's a |
| over. | | | | big outdoor Gay Ball for people who fancy a |
| | | | slightly more ostentatious celebration. |
| Bastille Day, or Fête Nationale, is held | | | | |
| every year on July 14th and is France's most | | | | After the Bastille Day military parade, the |
| important national holiday. In itself, | | | | partying in Paris continues in thrilling |
| Bastille Day doesn't exist to remember the | | | | style. Crowds of people congregate at the |
| storming of the Bastille in 1789 - an event | | | | Champ-de-Mars to watch the fireworks at the |
| that's long been held up as a symbol of the | | | | Trocadéro; most bars and clubs will also |
| birth of the modern French nation - but | | | | stage their own celebrations, so if you don't |
| rather is a commemoration of the Fête de | | | | get a good view of the fireworks, you won't |
| la Fédération which took place a year | | | | feel left out. If you're in France on |
| later. The Fête de la Fédération was | | | | Bastille Day but can't make it through to |
| essentially a huge feast that was held to | | | | Paris, there's no need to fret, every town |
| celebrate the uprising of the constitutional | | | | and village in France has its own unique way |
| monarchy in France, which many people | | | | of celebrating Bastille Day. |
| consider to be the mark of the end of the | | | | |
| French Revolution. | | | | With so many regular flights to Paris |
| | | | departing from the UK everyday, you'll find |
| Today, Bastille Day sees celebrations take | | | | it easy to revel in the Bastille Day |
| place all over France and in Paris in | | | | celebrations without having to leave your |
| particular. One of Bastille Day's primary | | | | normal routine for too long. After all, you |
| features in Paris is a huge military parade | | | | wouldn't want to miss out on a memorable |
| that takes place on the Champs-Elysées. | | | | experience of modern France's founding ideals |
| Here, you'll find the President leading the | | | | - liberté, egalité and fraternité - |
| parade, with jets flying overhead in | | | | would you? |