Celebrating Bastille Day

Teaching resources to help you to introduce the history behind, and traditions surrounding, Bastille Day on 14 July to your students

Tes Resources Team

The French tricolour flag

Lesson ideas and activities to introduce learners to the history behind the French national holiday

Bastille Day, or La Fête nationale, is a fantastic opportunity to bring French language and culture into your classroom. Celebrated annually on 14 July, the day marks the storming of the Bastille, an 18th-century prison, an event that came to symbolise the French Revolution and has since become an expression of French identity, celebration and unity. Whether you’re planning a one-off lesson or a themed day, these Bastille Day activities can guide primary and secondary students in exploring the rich history and traditions behind this significant national event.

MFL resources

Bastille Day offers plenty of scope to combine cultural understanding with language development in French lessons. Explore the history of Bastille Day and its celebration in the modern day with this selection of MFL resources spanning from whole lessons to fun quizzes and comprehension activities.