Bastille Day in France – A Pyrotechnical Extravaganza!

What is Bastille Day?

Bastille Day is officially known as “La Fête Nationale” in France and is a national holiday held each year on the 14th of July. In fact, legally it is known as ‘le 14 juillet’. The day in fact honours two notable events from the French Revolution. The storming of the Bastille in Paris on July 14, 1789 and the Fête de la Fédération, which was held on July 14, 1790 and celebrated the unification of the people.

As economic crises ravaged France, tensions rose between different factions. Amongst the escalation, a crowd stormed the Bastille which historically held people jailed by arbitrary indictment without appeal.

The Fête Nationale was designed as a festival to create and strengthen a united national identity suggested by the unity of the French during the Revolution. It came and went as a celebration until 1880, when it was officially adopted as an annual national event.

How to Celebrate Bastille Day

Bastille Day is now France’s largest event of the year, celebrated with a mixture of solemnity and fun frivolity. There is a traditional military parade in Paris, where various leaders of France have used the opportunity to cement or showcase relations with other nations. And typically, this is followed by firework illuminations, throughout France.

As for the local French people, they enjoy celebrating with picnics, games of pétanque (boules), dancing and all night parties. The Champagne flows and a sense of fun permeates the country with musical events, balls, and of course fireworks.

Pyrotechnicians

The history of fireworks dates back to 600 AD in China, with an introduction into Europe in the 14th century. They became so popular with royal events and military celebrations that a new career opened up, that of Pyrotechnician.

In the early 1700s the Ruggieri family moved from Italy to France to become Pyrotechnician for King Louis XV. Famous for the theatrical displays, the family survived beyond every military and political event, including what would become Bastille Day, and are still active today.

In the late 1700s it was in fact a French chemist, Claude Louis Berthollet, that discovered potassium chlorate added more colours and vibrancy. Fireworks had previously been a dull gold, red, or green colour. By the 1800s, Claude Ruggieri created even more bright and unique colours as well as formations. Paris became home to massive and theatrical firework displays.

Carcassonne Fireworks

Carcassonne began its pyrotechnic displays as far back as 1898. Why? The “Cadets de Gascogne,” and well-known people from politics, literature, and art, were hosted by the Citadel of Carcassonne on August 14, 1898. A magnificent event was held in their honour, complete with parades, balls, banquets, and historical reconstructions.

The celebrations came to a close with a fireworks show that lit up the old town at dusk. Both the Carcassonne residents and the audience members were in complete wonder. Because of its overwhelming success, the town council agreed to hold it every year.

Carcassonne Itself

The city of Carcassonne is dominated by its castle. Begun in the 12th century, as home and symbol of power to the Trencavel family, it was expanded over the centuries to what you see today. Situated in a strategic location between the kingdoms of Aragon and France, it played its part in crusades and treaty signings.

During the 17th century the city saw decline in population and wealth and the castle fell into disrepair. The destruction of the medieval city was planned but was saved by historian Jean-Pierre Cros-Mayrevieille. Today the fortress continues to dominate the town with its almost 3km (2 miles) long crenelated walls, multiple towers and riverside vantage. It was restored to its former glory in the 19th century.

This 14 juillet

On the 14th of July, the locals of Carcassonne will be joined by approximately 500,000 people as those from Montpellier, Toulouse and even Northern Spain, as well as any keen photographers join the crowd. All will be looking to stake out their spaces well in advance so that they can witness the most spectacular multi-coloured explosions above La Cité’s ramparts.

The fireworks display is coordinated immaculately – even the streetlights are dimmed to produce as clear a night sky as possible – before the display starts at precisely 10.25pm.

If you’re lucky enough to be in the Canal du Midi on the 14^th July, there’s a good chance the Captain of your barge will make a special effort to ensure you experience this truly memorable occasion.

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