Cest la Fête Nationale French Vocabulary for Bastille Day

Cest la Fête Nationale French Vocabulary for Bastille Day Sign up successful The Bastille was a fortified prison where political prisoners were usually kept some even without the formality of a trial. There were seven prisoners on that fateful  July 14  when a crowd of angry and determined Frenchmen forced the gates open and released them. This was the beginning of the French Revolution. Within twenty days, feudalism was abolished and a little later the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was proclaimed. Prior to the French revolution, French society was divided into three very distinct classes: the clergy, known as the first estate, the nobility, or the second estate, and finally the third estate, the common people. The clergy and nobility were the smallest and also the richest classes, while the third estate lived in extreme poverty. For the French populace, the Bastille stood as a symbol of the corruption behind the wealth and power of the clergy and nobility. When the  common people initiated the revolution,  it  symbolized the end of absolute monarchy and the beginning of the French Republic. It was in 1880 that July 14th was chosen as a national holiday, or Fête Nationale. Bastille Day Today The French celebrate Bastille Day with a lot of fervor and gusto. On the morning of  le quatorze juillet,  a multitude gathers at the Champs Élysées, waiting for the oldest and the largest military parade in Europe. The President of the French Republic attends the event which consists of both the parade of troops on foot, mounted troops, and motorized troops. The spectacular firework display to celebrate the occasion starts in the evening,  usually around 11:00 pm, and lasts for about thirty minutes. The fireworks in Paris  are particularly captivating; the resplendent Eiffel Tower glows in the mist as  the decorative ponds of Trocadéro reflect bright balls of fire. Another amazing event is a big concert by the Orchestre Nationale de la France  which takes place at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and stars renowned, international artists. This  is a free event that takes on a new theme each year. The Firemens Ball in selected fire stations is another interesting activity, and the festivities can last until 4:00 am. There may be an entrance fee or a donation requested  to improve the working condition of the staff. Interestingly the Bastille Day celebrations are held in other countries. Belgium, the Czech Republic, Hungary, United Kingdom, and United States of America, among others celebrate this day each year. Over fifty cities in USA have events to mark the occasion. Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Portland, Sacramento, San Francisco, Seattle, and St. Louis have different kind of festivals. These events are typically organized with the help of the French Cultural Center or Alliance Française located in these cities. Mostly the festivities revolve around fine wining and dining. French Vocabulary for Bastille Day Now lets take a look at some French vocabulary related to the Bastille Day. First of all,  Bastille Day is called le quatorze juillet  or la fête nationale. You do not wish a Happy Bastille Day in French. Its not the custom. The French Revolution is la Revolution Francaise. Republic is la Republique. The French flag is le drapeau tricolore. Fireworks are le feu dartifice. A military parade is le defile. The homeland is la patrie. Long Live France is Vive la France. The Storming of the Bastille is la Prise de la Bastille. The Eiffel Tower is la tour Eiffel. The French national anthem is La Marseillaise. Now that you have a bit of history and vocabulary, you can celebrate Bastille Day in the French fashion. Vive la France! Post Author: Annie A. Annie A. is a French instructor whose lessons are conducted exclusively online. Teaching for the past 12 years, she found her passion for the language while studying in Paris as a teenager.  Learn more about Annie here! Photos via  Yann Caradec, USAFE AFAFRICA,  Lebara Mobile Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher