Riviera Pebbles Blog: Bastille Day: 14 July 2015

Posted on 28th May 2015 in What's On

© Vince/Flickr

Bastille Day is a celebration of French culture. Huge public events are held including military and civilian parades, musical performances, communal meals, dances and spectacular firework displays.

The famous military parade in Paris is on the morning of 14 July. Service men and women participate including military school cadets, the French Navy and the French Foreign Legion.

The French president opens the proceedings as thousands of people line up along the Champs-Élysées. The parade ends with the Paris Fire Brigade as military aircrafts fly over above. Others prefer to spend the day quietly with family and friends with a celebratory meal.

Bastille Day is a public holiday in France so post offices, banks, and many businesses are closed. Restaurants and cafes outside tourist areas may also be closed. Bakeries, airports, train stations and major highways are open.

Prom Party in Nice

In Nice, Bastille Day is centred along the beautiful Promenade des Anglais. If you are here on 14 July you will have the chance to be up close to the majestic military parade and enjoy the eclectic music planned across numerous different stages.

Be ready at 10pm for the stunning peak of the day, the traditional fireworks on the French Riviera beach.