Bastille Day celebrations.

Paris prepares to celebrate the French Fte National on 14 July, the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress and the overthrow of the monarchy, which marked the beginning of the French revolution. Festivities start on 13 July with firemens balls held in public squares all over Paris. The Place de la Bastille this year has performances from hip-hop groups, DJs and musicians Juan Rozoff and Padam. The military parade along the Champs Elyses to the Place de la Concorde starts at 9.30 on 14 July in the presence of Jacques Chirac, president of the republic, and is followed by a spectacular fireworks display at the Champ de Mars by the Eiffel Tower from 22.00.