Bastille Day – Jul. 14, 2026

Expected Bastille Day Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that Bastille Day inspires a variety of themed deals. Expect French bakeries like La Boulangerie de San Francisco and wine shops such as Total Wine & More to offer special discounts. Restaurants like Mon Ami Gabi and Balthazar may feature prix fixe menus, while retailers like Sur La Table could have sales on French cookware. Even grocery stores such as Whole Foods Market often highlight French cheeses and wines. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as July 14 approaches.

History of Bastille Day

In France, Bastille Day is commonly known as ‘Fête Nationale,’ or the National Celebration. However, the English-speaking world has taken to calling it Bastille Day to honor the moment in 1789 when a mob of French revolutionaries charged into Paris’ Bastille, a major point in the French Revolution. The first celebration can be traced back to July 14, 1790, exactly one year after the Bastille fell. Since then, it has continued to grow, and large parties are held all over the world.

Bastille Day marks the anniversary of the fall of the Bastille in Paris and, later, the monarchy on July 14, 1789. Originally constructed as a medieval fortress, the Bastille was eventually used as a state prison. Prisoners who were directly sent there under orders of the king would get no trial or right of appeal, at times including political prisoners who spoke against the rules and laws set by the ruling king. Detained citizens awaiting trial were also held at the Bastille. Despite plans to demolish the building in the late 18th century, the Bastille had come to represent the Bourbon monarchy and the harsh acts carried out by them.  

During the unrest of 1789, on July 14, a mob approached the Bastille to demand the arms and ammunition stored there, and, when the forces guarding the structure resisted, the attackers captured the prison and released the seven prisoners held there. The taking of the Bastille signaled the beginning of the French Revolution, and it thus became a symbol of the end of the ancient monarchical régime.

The holiday is known as ‘Fête Nationale’ in France, and officially became a holiday in 1880. Right from the beginning, military parades, fireworks, speeches, and public displays were a part of the celebrations, reveling in the downfall of the stringent monarchical rule. The slogan “Vive le 14 juillet!” (“Long live the 14th of July!”) has continued to be associated with the day. Former French colonies and countries with friendly relations with France also started observing the holiday. French Polynesia, in particular, adopted the holiday into its own culture, with dancing, singing, and entertainment performances held throughout the month of July. 

How Businesses Can Celebrate Bastille Day