What’s happening in Uzes, France on July 14th? I set out with my camera to see how the French celebrate in this small town. It’s all about family, food, dancing and fireworks. This year, it was also about brocante. A hundred or more brocante dealers showed off their best wares in the town’s parking lot — a beautiful spot overlooking the valley.
Uzes, France July 14th cafes in town were packed with visitors, couples and families eating, drinking and enjoying their long weekend holiday.
All waiting for the music and dancing …
And the fireworks.
Here are some interesting facts about the July 14th French holiday:
1- French don’t call the holiday “Bastille Day”?
It’s called “July 14th”, just like “July 4th” in the States. The formal name is La Fête Nationale (The National Celebration).
2- “Storming the Bastille” was not all about freeing political prisoners.
Rebels freed four crooks and two “lunatics” and, according to Wikipedia, one “deviant” aristocrat. The Bastille was chosen as the target of the rebellion because it was a symbol of the abusive monarchy — a place stocked with weapons and ammunition.
3- The French Revolution was not the beginning of an independent French republic.
The French Revolution of 1787 is considered by historians as a major step towards establishing the concept of “independent republics.” The world saw the uprising of the people of France as an example to create their own political change;
The French, however, were anything but “independent” afterwards. They enduring years of terror led by Roperpeare’s government; and later, a military empire led by Napolean. It was the Third Republic in 1870 that gave way to national elections and political parties in France.
Charles de Gaulle founded the French Fifth Republic and served as its first president from 1959 to 1969.
I love reading your blog! We spent a week in Sablet, celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary with a hot air balloon ride 10 years ago, qand your writing helps me to remember how much we loved the place and the people!
Is there anything that’s much more fun than a balloon ride over beautiful France? I know you enjoyed it! I’ll have to look up Sablet. It’s a place I’ve never heard of. What did you like the most?
Deborah- hope you enjoyed your fête nationale! Thanks for the quick history lesson. Good reminder that the revolution was not the beginning of the independent republic.
I love to have to do research about things “French”. It makes me appreciate it all even more.
You cannot imagine how much I would like to visit the brocante!
There will be more. You must come to visit!
You’re right! I’m back in the UK at the moment but a visit to Uzes is high on my list. I’ve already checked out the trains 😂
Perfect! I’m gone August but back mid September
Great detail and information about the 14th of July in France and what a small town like Uzes does to celebrate this holiday. The photos were wonderful.
Thank you! I enjoyed looking back and I’ve loved every holiday since!