It’s ‘Quatorze Juillet’ (‘14th July’ or what is often called Bastille Day) in France today. It’s a national holiday – the day that commemorates the storming of the Bastille Prison in 1789, the start of the French Revolution and so the day that is seen as the birth of modern France.
This is also a day that has only had any relevance to me in recent years. It’s probably hard to believe, but my parents spoke so little about their families and their background that I only discovered through family history research after their deaths how French I am – and the answer is that on my father’s side I am 100% French (and now, coincidentally, married to a Frenchman). Knowing this honestly explains something about my personality. More than that I am not willing to say …other than that if you think of those people in 1789 who had the courage to storm that prison in Paris, ending the reign of Louis XVI and bringing down the ruling aristocracy, then you have a good idea of one of my personality traits (…’a tendency towards bolshiness’…) Oops, did I just say that out loud)?
Chateau de Montignac in the Dordogne region of France. This Chateau, with extensive gardens, sits on its own plateau high above the surrounding plains. It’s one of my favourite buildings – if I could move in tomorrow, I would.
.... feeling war-torn and weary 
8 Comments
July 14, 2009 at 11:26 am
Happy Bastille Day and what a wonderful looking place in the photo–I am sure you are not alone in wanting to move in there.
July 14, 2009 at 1:49 pm
It is rather wonderful isn’t it – something about the local ‘blonde’ stone, the sunny aspect, the faded purple shutters and those cute peep-po windows in the roof.
July 14, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Happy Bastille Day! That is a beautiful building.
July 14, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Hi Terri, This photo comes up on my screensaver occasionally and I always wonder how I could make my place look a little more like this. I just find it so charming and not at all grand and dour like so many of the other chateaux.
July 15, 2009 at 1:22 am
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and commenting! I’m always glad to meet new bloggers from SITS.
Joyeux 14 juillet!
I left Paris in June last year and missed the festivities, but while there I lived very near Bastille and it was always a little bit exciting to be so close to such a big piece of history!
July 15, 2009 at 5:49 am
I have to admit that I’ve only visited Paris once, despite my close proximity. I’m long overdue for another visit.
BTW, I really liked your site and will be back to visit again.
July 17, 2009 at 10:05 am
paris,is a wonderful place to visit,bastille is just among the finest things you could find there.
July 17, 2009 at 10:41 am
I didn’t think there was much left to see there, other than the monument, but if/when I make it back to Paris it would be nice to at least visit the area.