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To some extent, the official national French holiday has lost ground to the annual midsummer Fête de la musique. But only the 14 July - or quatorze juillet - has the dance parties (with firemen), the fireworks and the tanks and fighter jets on the Champs Élysées.
France - Bastille Day slideshow
Record numbers turn out for fireworks and French rock
After 200,000 people turned up to watch India's armed forces march down the Champs-Elysées for France's Bastille Day celebrations, 700,000 gathered close to the Eiffel Tower for the traditional fireworks in the evening.
2009-07-15 11:48 TU
Bastille Day: Where it comes from
The 14 July did not become the French national holiday until 1880 and is not really known as Bastille Day in France. It takes a nod to revolutionay traditions, while making sure to include a national-morale-boosting military element.
2008-07-11 17:22 TU
France – 14 July 2009
Bastille Day festivities 2009
A list of 14 July festivities around France to help you plan your celebration of the French national holiday
2009-07-09 11:26 TU
France - Bastille Day
France committed to Afghan mission, says Sarkozy
France stays committed to the Nato mission in Afghanistan, despite a recent increase in attacks from Taliban rebels, President Nicolas Sarkozy told French television on the national Bastille Day holiday Tuesday. He pledged billions of euros of investment in the armed forces, following concerns over a recent defence review.
2009-07-14 14:02 TU
France - Bastille Day
Hundreds of cars burnt as holiday festivities begin
Over 300 cars were burnt on Monday night, the eve of France's national holiday, though police described the night as relatively calm. On Tuesday, Indian troops joined the French military in the traditional Bastille Day parade down Paris's Champs Elysées.
2009-07-14 14:26 TU
France - Bastille Day
Indian soldiers join Bastille Day parade
Indian soldiers, sailors and airmen will take part for the first time in Tuesday’s Bastille Day celebrations in Paris. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is the guest of honour.
2009-07-14 07:24 TU
France 24 TV reports on Indian troops joining France's annual Bastille Day parade as their Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, is guest of honour
Slide show: India the guest of honour at 14 July celebrations
India the guest of honour at 14 July celebrations: slide show with French commentary from RFI's French website
Latest update 2009-07-09 11:26 TU
