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