French National Day

On 1 June 2010, the French contingent of Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) celebrated the 2010 French National Day, so called ‘Bastille Day’ in English, in the Reaction Forces Officer’s Mess on JHQ Rheindahlen.

The French National Day, officially scheduled on the 14th of July for more than a century, is however not meant to commemorate the seizure of the Bastille prison and the revolt of the population of Paris against the Monarchy in 1789, but the Federation Day one year later in 1790. The ‘89’ year in each of previous centuries have been of particular significance throughout France’s history.

For example: In 489, Clovis was baptised in Rheims as the King of the Francs. In 889, Hughes Capet was crowned King of the Realm of France. In 1889, the Eifel Tower was unveiled. Sadly, few will be able to see if 2089 will contain something spectacular for France.

Nonetheless, this year, a French-café decoration, a customised Citroen ‘Traction- 2 Chevaux’ car, some accordion ‘musette-ball’ tunes, some wines, cheeses and wood-fire cooked ‘tartes flambées’, greeted the ARRC guests to the celebration.

"For the four French Officers and their families with the ARRC, it is the last opportunity to celebrate their National Day before the move to Innsworth and the ARRC deployment to Afghanistan” underlined LTC Eric Mandille, the French Senior National Representative.

He went on to assure all attending that: "However, I’m sure that we will maintain the tradition wherever we will be!”