Bastille Day is the common name given to the national day of France, which is celebrated on 14 July each year. It is referred to, both legally and commonly, as le 14 juillet in French, though la fête nationale is also used in the press.

French National Day is the anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, a major event of the French Revolution, as well as the Fête de la Fédération that celebrated the unity of the French people on 14 July 1790. Celebrations are held throughout France. One that has been reported as ”the oldest and largest military parade in Europe” is held on 14 July on the Champs-Élysées in Paris in front of the President of France, along with other French officials and foreign guests.

The Bastille Day Military Parade is France’s national military parade, held annually in the morning of July 14th in Paris since 1880. Originally held in various locations, it has taken place on the Champs-Élysées since 1918, with the participation of Allied forces as represented at the Versailles Peace Conference. Exceptions occurred during the German occupation (1940–1944), when the ceremony was held in London under General Charles de Gaulle, and in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic led to its cancellation.

The parade proceeds from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde, where the President of the French Republic, government officials, and foreign ambassadors are present. It is a major public event, broadcast nationwide, and recognized as Europe’s oldest and largest regular military parade.

The historical roots of Bastille Day lie in the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. Following the dismissal of finance minister Jacques Necker on July 11, tensions rose in Paris. Fearing repression by royal troops, citizens armed themselves by seizing weapons from the Hôtel des Invalides. That same day, a crowd stormed the Bastille, a symbol of royal authority, which at the time held only seven prisoners of little political importance.

The attack was bolstered by mutinous members of the Régiment des Gardes Françaises, usually tasked with protecting public institutions. To avoid a bloodbath, the prison’s governor, Bernard-René de Launay, surrendered. Nonetheless, fighting resumed, resulting in the deaths of de Launay and several defenders. Jacques de Flesselles, the prévôt des marchands (head of the merchants’ guilds, similar to a mayor), was also killed.

The fall of the Bastille became a defining moment of the French Revolution. On August 4, 1789, the National Constituent Assembly abolished feudalism. Later, on August 26, it proclaimed the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (Déclaration des Droits de l’Homme et du Citoyen).

On the occasion of the National Day of the French Republic, Thierry Carlier, Ambassador of France to Sweden,
had the pleasure of welcoming Cawa Media to a reception held in the gardens of the French Residence at Bromska Palace, located on Narvavägen in Stockholm.

In his opening speech, Ambassador Thierry Carlier highlighted that King Karl XIV Johan of Sweden was originally Marshal Jean Baptiste Bernadotte of France, who served under Napoleon before being elected heir to the Swedish throne.

The reception was attended by numerous distinguished guests, including former French foreign ministers, EU Commissioner Ylva Johansson, Chairman of the Stockholm City Council Olle Burell, Ireland’s Ambassador Barbara Jones, the spouse of Georgia’s Ambassador Elene Lezhava Leli, and opera singer Charlotta Huldt-Ramberg. Guests gathered with the Ambassador on the garden staircase—the garden had formerly a tennis court.

Bromska Palace is one of Sweden’s oldest private palaces, alongside the Hallwyl, von Rosen, and Sager Palaces. The building is classified as “blue,” indicating its exceptional cultural and historical value.

Guests were treated to rosé, and a selection of white wines, champagne, plus salmon, air-dried salami, a rich selection of cheeses, and fresh fruits served among others in the elegant party tents.

(Narvavägen 26) on Monday July 14th from 12:30  till 14:30)