The History Behind France’s Widely Celebrated Bastille Day
1789 was a historic year. While America was ratifying the Constitution, their comrades across the pond in France were partaking in the French Revolution. This time was not one of leisure and refinement, traits France is known for today. Bastille Day – widely celebrated on its anniversary, July 14th – marked the overturn of the government in the favor of its people. In fact, it is very similar to a country’s independence day.
Before the Revolution, there were three classes in France, known as Estates. The most important one was the clergy, who were exempt from taxes and owned 10% of the country’s land and even more of its wealth. While this group was subdivided into higher clergy and poorer parish priests, it was still the most respected.
Nobility made up the Second Estate, holding power and leading positions in court, the government and the military. They also experienced tax exemptions.
The Third Estate was largely made up of peasants, but in layman’s terms it was a class dedicated to the less well-off. It was separated into different ranks, each determining your importance in society. The bourgeoisie (middle class) owned about 20-25% of the land and Shopkeepers, craftspeople, and those who worked hard for an honest living were also part of this class. Peasants craved true land ownership, but the government had to change for them to increase their holdings.
As these classes became more defined, more and more citizens became restless. Privileges that they had long worked very hard for were not afforded to them because of their position in society, and the government was not working for the people in the way that they had promised. The government was spending money on war and frivolous items the people they were governing had no need for.
The Revolution began peacefully. In 1787 Charles-Alexandre de Calonne called for reform, implicating taxation of the rich. No one wanted to agree to his ideas or terms. In 1788, the population began to vocalize their discontent, leading protests and putting pressure on the government. A new finance minister was appointed, and the king (Louis XVI) granted freedom of the press.
But the masses still weren’t pleased, and they shouldn’t have been. On July 14, 1789, an angry crowd – the majority of them women – stormed the Bastille. This medieval building on the east side of Paris – whose construction had begun in 1370 – had been used throughout the centuries as a fortress protecting the city. During the time of the attack, however, it served as a prison.
According to Britannica, “On the morning of July 14, 1789, when only seven prisoners were confined in the building, a crowd advanced on the Bastille with the intention of asking the prison governor, Bernard Jordan, marquis de Launay, to release the arms and munitions stored there. Angered by Launay’s evasiveness, the people stormed and captured the place; this dramatic action came to symbolize the end of the ancien régime. The Bastille was subsequently demolished by order of the Revolutionary government.”
In 1880, Bastille Day was officially marked as a French national holiday. The day symbolizes the strength of the French people and their persistence in changing the structure of their government to better serve their community.
People are treated to a day off for the public holiday, and celebratory firework displays, dancing and parties happen across the country. In fact, Valbonne has a pretty spectacular fireworks show to enjoy if you happen to be around for the holiday. (We personally like to enjoy the show from the stone patio in the garden at La Peetch.)
