Those watching the cultural news of the past week probably saw the festivities in France on July 14, Bastille Day, which is celebrated annually. In some ways, the original Bastille Day marked the beginning of modern France, as it awoke violently from its feudal and early modern heritage. It certainly changed both church and state.

France is celebrating its biggest national holiday, Bastille Day, with military jet flyovers, a drone light show over the Eiffel Tower and fireworks in almost every city. Around 7,000 people are marching on riding on horseback or in armoured vehicles,