French Holiday Traditions: Summer & National Celebrations

La Fête Nationale (Bastille Day)

July 14th celebrations combine patriotic pride with summer festivities.

Bastille Day Vocabulary

Official Celebrations

1. "Le défilé militaire" (Military parade)

   • Morning celebration on Champs-Élysées

2. "Le feu d'artifice" (Fireworks)

   • Evening celebration nationwide

Common Phrases

1. "Vive la France!" (Long live France!)

   • Traditional patriotic exclamation

2. "On va voir les feux?" (Shall we go see the fireworks?)

   • Common evening invitation

Les Grandes Vacances (Summer Holidays)

Departure Phrases

1. "Bonnes vacances!" (Have a good holiday!)

   • Standard holiday wish

2. "Je pars en vacances" (I'm going on holiday)

   • Common July/August phrase

Beach Holiday Vocabulary

1. "On va à la plage?" (Shall we go to the beach?)

   • Daily summer question

2. "C'est la canicule" (It's a heatwave)

   • Common summer expression

Traditional Activities

1. "Le pique-nique" (Picnic)

   • "On fait un pique-nique?" (Shall we have a picnic?)

2. "La pétanque" (French bowls)

   • "Tu joues à la pétanque?" (Do you play pétanque?)

Holiday Greetings

1. "Profite bien!" (Enjoy!)

   • Said to someone starting vacation

2. "À la rentrée!" (See you after the break!)

   • Said before long summer break

Travel Phrases

1. "Je pars au bord de la mer" (I'm going to the seaside)

   • Common summer destination phrase

2. "On part en camping" (We're going camping)

   • Popular summer activity

Food & Drink

1. "On prend l'apéro?" (Shall we have pre-dinner drinks?)

   • Common evening invitation

2. "C'est l'heure du rosé" (It's rosé time)

   • Popular summer drink phrase

French holidays combine food, family, and traditions. These phrases help you participate fully in celebrations.