Bastille Day: The French unite

On July 14, 1789, the Parisian crowd seized the Bastille prison, a symbol of royal tyranny. Over all, the French Revolution was a movement that shook France between 1787 and 1799, and was against the feudal regime that had plagued the country for centuries before that.

The 400-strong French community of Christchurch got together on the two weekends in July at the Mt Pleasant Farmers Market to celebrate the Bastille Day.

Though the mood was a bit sombre because of the Nice attacks.

"the French Republic will endure on"

Lucile Fontaine-Berger, Director Alliance Française Christchurch, the language school promoting French culture in the city, said, “While such attacks are condemnable, I’m sure the French Republic will endure on.”

“This day marks the beginning of the French Revolution and establishment of the French Republic when thousands of my countrymen stormed the Bastille prison.” she added.
Lucile, who has been in Christchurch for a year now and has previously lived in Mexico and England, also shared her memories of celebrating the Day back home. “Of course it’s a day-off and we have fireworks and parades all over the country. Most notable is the Military Parade on the Avenue des Champs-Elysées in Paris.”