30 Bastille Day Quiz Questions and Answers

Bastille Day, also known as French National Day, is celebrated annually on July 14th. It commemorates the historic events surrounding the Storming of the Bastille, a fortress-prison in Paris, which occurred on July 14, 1789. The Storming of the Bastille marked a pivotal moment in the French Revolution and symbolizes the overthrow of the monarchy and the beginning of the modern republic in France.

During the late 18th century, France faced significant economic and social challenges, leading to widespread discontent among the population. On July 14, 1789, Parisians, fueled by frustration over food shortages and political repression, mobilized and marched towards the Bastille, a symbol of royal authority and oppression.

The Bastille, which housed political prisoners and stored weapons, was a potent symbol of the monarchy’s power. The protestors sought to acquire weapons and free the prisoners. The storming of the fortress was a violent and chaotic event, resulting in clashes with the guards and the eventual capture of the Bastille.

The storming of the Bastille had a profound impact on the French Revolution. It marked a symbolic victory for the revolutionaries, demonstrating their ability to challenge and confront the monarchy. The event also ignited a wave of uprisings and rebellions across France, leading to the eventual downfall of the monarchy and the rise of the French Republic.

In the years following the storming of the Bastille, July 14th became a day of celebration and commemoration. It was officially recognized as a national holiday in 1880. Bastille Day is now celebrated throughout France and its territories, as well as by French communities worldwide.

Table of content

• Part 1: 30 Bastille Day quiz questions & answers
• Part 2: Download Bastille Day questions & answers for free
• Part 3: Free online quiz creator – OnlineExamMaker

Part 1: 30 multiple-choice questions related to Bastille Day, along with their answers

1. When is Bastille Day celebrated?
a) July 4th
b) July 14th
c) August 15th
d) September 2nd
Answer: b) July 14th

2. Bastille Day commemorates the beginning of which significant event?
a) The French Revolution
b) World War I
c) The Napoleonic Wars
d) The Hundred Years’ War
Answer: a) The French Revolution

3. The storming of the Bastille prison occurred in which year?
a) 1789
b) 1798
c) 1804
d) 1830
Answer: a) 1789

4. The Bastille prison was located in which city?
a) Paris
b) Marseille
c) Lyon
d) Bordeaux
Answer: a) Paris

5. What was the main symbol of the Bastille prison?
a) A guillotine
b) Iron bars
c) A fortress
d) Chains
Answer: c) A fortress

6. Who was the French king at the time of the storming of the Bastille?
a) King Louis XVI
b) King Louis XV
c) King Charles X
d) King Louis Philippe I
Answer: a) King Louis XVI

7. Which French revolutionary figure played a significant role in the storming of the Bastille?
a) Maximilien Robespierre
b) Georges Danton
c) Jean-Paul Marat
d) Camille Desmoulins
Answer: d) Camille Desmoulins

8. Bastille Day is also known as:
a) La Fête du Printemps
b) La Fête de la Musique
c) La Fête de l’Indépendance
d) La Fête Nationale
Answer: d) La Fête Nationale

9. The French national anthem is called:
a) “La Vie en Rose”
b) “La Marseillaise”
c) “La Mer”
d) “La Belle et la Bête”
Answer: b) “La Marseillaise”

10. The colors associated with Bastille Day and the French flag are:
a) Red, white, and blue
b) Green, white, and red
c) Blue, white, and red
d) Red, white, and green
Answer: c) Blue, white, and red

11. In France, Bastille Day is a public holiday and typically celebrated with:
a) Fireworks
b) Parades
c) Picnics
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

12. Who became the first President of France on Bastille Day in 1958?
a) Charles de Gaulle
b) François Mitterrand
c) Nicolas Sarkozy
d) Emmanuel Macron
Answer: a) Charles de Gaulle

13. Which iconic French landmark is often the centerpiece of Bastille Day fireworks displays?
a) The Eiffel Tower
b) The Louvre Museum
c) Notre-Dame Cathedral
d) The Palace of Versailles
Answer: a) The Eiffel Tower

14. Bastille Day marks the anniversary of the fall of the Bastille prison and the beginning of:
a) The French Resistance
b) The Reign of Terror
c) The French Commune
d) The French Republic
Answer: d) The French Republic

15. Who famously declared, “Let them eat cake,” during the French Revolution?
a) Marie Antoinette
b) Charlotte Corday
c) Olympe de Gouges
d) Simone Veil
Answer: a) Marie Antoinette

Part 2: Download Bastille Day questions & answers for free

16. What is the traditional French dish often associated with Bastille Day celebrations?
a) Ratatouille
b) Bouillabaisse
c) Coq au Vin
d) Escargots
Answer: c) Coq au Vin

17. Bastille Day became an official national holiday in France in which year?
a) 1789
b) 1792
c) 1880
d) 1918
Answer: c) 1880

18. The storming of the Bastille was a significant event because it represented:
a) The end of the monarchy
b) The birth of democracy in France
c) The beginning of the French Revolution
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

19. What was the original purpose of the Bastille prison?
a) To hold political prisoners
b) To house criminals
c) To store weapons and ammunition
d) To protect the royal family
Answer: c) To store weapons and ammunition

20. The French Revolution led to the execution of which French king and queen?
a) Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette
b) Louis XV and Catherine de’ Medici
c) Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
d) Louis XVIII and Marie de’ Medici
Answer: c) Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

21. The storming of the Bastille prison marked a turning point in the French Revolution and symbolized:
a) The power of the monarchy
b) The end of feudalism
c) The dominance of the Catholic Church
d) The rise of the bourgeoisie
Answer: b) The end of feudalism

22. Which French general rose to power during the French Revolution and became Emperor of France?
a) Napoleon Bonaparte
b) Charles de Gaulle
c) François Hollande
d) Emmanuel Macron
Answer: a) Napoleon Bonaparte

23. In addition to France, Bastille Day is also celebrated in which overseas territory?
a) Martinique
b) French Guiana
c) French Polynesia
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

24. What was the main reason behind the storming of the Bastille prison?
a) The need for weapons and ammunition
b) The release of political prisoners
c) A protest against food shortages and high prices
d) A desire for greater democracy
Answer: a) The need for weapons and ammunition

25. Which French military parade is held on Bastille Day?
a) Parade de l’Armée de Terre
b) Parade de la Marine Nationale
c) Parade de l’Armée de l’Air
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

26. Bastille Day is the national day of France, equivalent to which holiday in the United States?
a) Independence Day
b) Thanksgiving
c) PresidentsDay
d) Memorial Day
Answer: a) Independence Day

27. Which French phrase is often used to wish someone a happy Bastille Day?
a) Joyeux Noël
b) Bon appétit
c) Bonne fête nationale
d) Bon voyage
Answer: c) Bonne fête nationale

28. Bastille Day celebrations often include traditional French dances, such as:
a) Ballet
b) Flamenco
c) Can-Can
d) Tango
Answer: c) Can-Can

29. What is the significance of the Bastille prison being stormed on July 14th?
a) It was the birthday of a prominent French revolutionary leader.
b) It was the anniversary of the French king’s coronation.
c) It was the day of a planned uprising against the monarchy.
d) It was a random occurrence without specific significance.
Answer: d) It was a random occurrence without specific significance.

30. Bastille Day is a celebration of:
a) French cuisine
b) French culture
c) French history and values
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

Part 3: Best online quiz making platform – OnlineExamMaker

With OnlineExamMaker, you can create online exams, performance assessments, practice tests to assess leaners’ knowledge and skills, and boost their engagement & improve knowledge retention. Supporting up to 10 question types, teachers are able to create quizzes with multiple-choice, true or false, matching, and open-ended questions, OnlineExamMaker provides flexibility in creating professional assessments.