Bastille Day 2026
Bastille Day 2026 falls on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
Quick Facts
- Tuesday, July 14, 2026
- Observed in France
- Falls on a weekday
What is Bastille Day?
Bastille Day, known in France as le 14 juillet, falls every year on July 14 — a Tuesday in 2026 — marking the storming of the Bastille fortress in Paris in 1789, a pivotal early event of the French Revolution.
Where the tradition comes from
The Bastille was a Paris fortress used to hold political prisoners, and its fall on July 14, 1789 became a symbol of the end of absolute monarchy in France. The date was formally adopted as France's national day in 1880, deliberately chosen partly because it could also reference the Fête de la Fédération of 1790, a unity celebration that came a year later — giving the date a dual symbolic meaning of both revolution and national unity.
How it's observed in 2026
Bastille Day closes government offices and most businesses across France. Paris hosts a major military parade down the Champs-Élysées each year — one of the oldest and largest regular military parades in the world — along with fireworks at the Eiffel Tower in the evening.
Best Long Weekend Opportunity
Bastille Day — Tuesday, July 14
Take Monday, July 13 off for a 4-day weekend.
Common questions
What day is Bastille Day 2026?
Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
Is 'Bastille Day' the name used in France?
No — in France it's simply called le 14 juillet (the 14th of July); 'Bastille Day' is primarily an English-language name.
What is the military parade on Bastille Day?
It's one of the oldest and largest regular military parades in the world, held annually on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
Do people get Bastille Day off work?
Yes — Bastille Day is a public holiday in France, so most employees get the day off, though specific pay and eligibility rules can vary by employer and sector.