| Every year, the 14th of July marks a very special | | | | end even later. Things don't truly get going here until |
| occasion in French history. This is Bastille Day: the day | | | | around 7pm on the 14th; however, the party keeps on |
| when, in 1789, the infamous Bastille Prison was | | | | kicking well into the morning hours of the next day. |
| stormed by angry mobs agitating against the King's | | | | Enjoy the live music on offer at the town hall (Place |
| heavy-handed rule. The 14th of July is thus | | | | d'Horloge), dance at a ball, and end the night by |
| synonymous with the idea of the modern French | | | | watching a splendiferous fireworks display. |
| republic. | | | | La Rochelle |
| Given the party atmosphere that permeates the | | | | Fireworks are again the order of the day here, with a |
| whole country come Bastille Day, it's certainly worth | | | | magnificent display going up over the city's port area. |
| planning your travels to be in France on the anointed | | | | However, you'll only get there if you've managed to |
| day. Here's a quick rundown of the very best places in | | | | pace yourself throughout the day, as La Rochelle |
| France for Bastille Day bombast... | | | | becomes buried under an avalanche of food and drink |
| Paris | | | | every Bastille Day. This is certainly a place that knows |
| The capital of France is, fittingly, also the center of | | | | how to celebrate the 14th of July! |
| Bastille Day celebrations. The party begins on the 13th | | | | Poitiers |
| with a handful of balls and galas around the city. Then | | | | As with Paris, Poitiers celebrates the anniversary of |
| the 14th arrives, and Paris descends into a fever of | | | | the storming of the Bastille with a military Parade. |
| joviality, with more balls and galas, plus military parades, | | | | Generally speaking, crowds attend this parade in the |
| fireworks, and humongous picnics (it's customary to | | | | Place du Maréchel Leclerc during the day. |
| spend the second half of the day lounging around | | | | Once the parade has past, the square becomes one |
| while consuming more food and wine than you could | | | | large outdoor ball; festivities end with a great fireworks |
| possible imagine). To be at the very heart of | | | | display that goes up from the Parc des Expositions. |
| celebrations, the Champs-Elysees is the place to be. | | | | Carcassone |
| For backpackers heading to Paris for Bastille Day, the | | | | Visually impressive Carcassonne hosts a fun-filled day |
| best bet is to book a stay on a Paris hostel. These are | | | | of celebration every year, which is always attended |
| friendly, clean and fun places that rank among the very | | | | by hundreds of thousands of happy revelers. |
| best hostels in France. They are, as such, a great | | | | Carcassone is particularly known for its fireworks |
| base from where to enjoy all the experiences Bastille | | | | celebration. Considered to be one of the very best in |
| Day in Paris has to offer. | | | | the world, it typically lasts for just under half an hour, |
| Avignon | | | | which means Bastille Day certainly ends with a bang. |
| Celebrations for Bastille Day in Avignon start late and | | | | |