Every year, July 14th marks a significant moment in republican life: the French national holiday. It's an opportunity to come together, commemorate history, and share a festive moment in towns and villages, large and small.
A founding date of the Republic
On July 14, 1789, the storming of the Bastille by the people of Paris became the symbol of the French Revolution. On that day, a crowd of artisans, merchants, and workers armed themselves at Les Invalides before marching on the Bastille, then a state prison. The fighting lasted several hours, until the garrison surrendered. The governor of the fortress was executed. The fall of the Bastille embodied the end of royal absolutism and marked the beginning of a profound political and social upheaval in France.
A year later, on July 14, 1790, the Fête de la Fédération celebrated national unity on the Champ-de-Mars in Paris, bringing together national guards from all provinces.
It was not until the Third Republic that this date was officially recognized as a national holiday. The law of July 6, 1880, sponsored by Deputy Benjamin Raspail, established July 14 as the annual day of celebration for the French Republic.
A military, popular and symbolic celebration
Since 1880, July 14th has been a major event in national life. The military parade, held annually in Paris on the Champs-Élysées since 1980, reflects the role of the armed forces and France's place on the international stage.
Over the years, this parade has taken on an increasingly symbolic dimension: participation of German soldiers in 1994 as part of Franco-German reconciliation, presence of armies from European or African countries, invitations to foreign delegations, highlighting of engaged citizens…
July 14th in the Villé Valley
As in many rural communities, the festivities take place the day before, on July 13, to allow everyone to follow the national events the following day.
The program in the Villé Valley:
This year, the National Day will be held in the Market Square, under the linden tree, in a friendly and festive atmosphere.
From 6pm onwards, light meals and drinks will be available to get the evening off to a good start.
From 19:30 p.m., the group “Les Joyeux Steigeois” will set the mood until 22:00 p.m., followed by Etienne DAVID, who will make the public dance until 00:30 a.m. with the greatest hits from the 80s to today.
At 23:00 PM, a musical fireworks display will be launched from the fishing pond.