Bastille Day Around The World

You don’t have to go to France to celebrate the Storming of Bastille. Cities around the world have their own celebrations for Bastille Day; here are some of our favorites.

Bastille Day, New Orleans, Louisiana © Infrogmation | Flickr

New Orleans

Steeped in French culture, New Orleans has one of the rowdiest Bastille Day celebrations. The Alliance Française of New Orleans, the French Consulate and the French-American Chamber of Commerce organize a day-long party at the end of Canal Street on the Mississippi Waterfront.

Budapest

This is the best place to go in Eastern Europe, with a two-day festival held by the French Institute along the banks of the Danube, with fireworks, food and music.

Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania © Amanda Cegielski | Flickr

Philadelphia

Philadelphia celebrates its Bastille Day at Eastern State Penitentiary with a historically-accurate re-enactment of the Storming of Bastille. The performance is complete with a beheading of Marie Antoinette, as well as apperances by Napoleon, Joan of Arc and, of course, Benjamin Franklin.

London

London’s large French population celebrates the Storming of Bastille in style, with a Garden Party at Battersea Park, food and drink at Borough Market and music and fireworks at Bankside.

London, England © Garry Knight | Flickr