“I am delighted to welcome back this Hungary that has chosen to return to Europe, to the rule of law, and to our shared European values.”
The French National Day, commonly known as Bastille Day, is celebrated every year on 14 July and occupies a central place in French history and national identity. It commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris in 1789, a defining event that marked the beginning of the French Revolution and symbolised the people’s will to overthrow the absolute monarchy. The revolutionary ideals of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity subsequently formed the foundation of the French Republic and remain the guiding principles of the French nation to this day. Officially proclaimed the National Day of France in 1880, Bastille Day is celebrated throughout France and around the world with military parades, concerts, fireworks, and public festivities, reflecting the country’s enduring commitment to liberty, democracy and peace.
To mark this year’s occasion, the Embassy of France in Hungary hosted a grand reception in the garden of the French Residence in Budapest. The event brought together 700 distinguished guests, including senior members of the Hungarian Government, Members of Parliament, representatives of the diplomatic corps, political, academic, cultural and business leaders, members of the French community in Hungary, Hungarian veterans of the French Foreign Legion, and numerous friends of France and the French language.
The Guests of Honour were Ágnes Forsthoffer, Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, Zoltán Tanács, Minister of Science and Technology, and Dávid Vitézy, Minister of Transport and Investments, whose presence reflected the importance of the close and steadily strengthening relationship between France and Hungary.
The evening commenced with the national anthems of France and Hungary, followed by the anthem of the European Union, performed by the Hungarian Customs (NAV) Orchestra and Ms. Sarolta Tolnay, winner of the 2026 Francophone Song Contest in Hungary.
His Excellency Jonathan Lacôte, Ambassador of the French Republic to Hungary, then addressed the distinguished guests in French and Hungarian. His remarkable command of the Hungarian language, which he delivered with impressive fluency and excellent pronunciation, was warmly appreciated by the audience. Simultaneously, an English translation of his speech was projected onto a large screen:
“Honourable Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament, Honourable Ministers, Honourable Secretaries of State, Honourable Members of Parliament and Mayors, Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Advisers to French citizens living abroad, Dear compatriots, French citizens of Hungary, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,
the 14th of July is a day on which France celebrates the values of liberty, equality and fraternity. These are values we share with Hungary, and we are celebrating them together this evening. I would therefore like to thank you all for attending in such large numbers: partners, key players in bilateral relations, and friends of France. You are our guests this evening because, coming from all walks of life, you are committed to the relationship between our two countries.
Over 30 years ago, I discovered with curiosity and enthusiasm a Hungary that was regaining its freedom and serving as a political and economic role model among the candidate countries for accession to the European Union. As my second year as French Ambassador to Hungary draws to a close, I am delighted to welcome back this Hungary that has chosen to return to Europe, to the rule of law, and to our shared European values. The message of the Hungarian people from 12 April was also received by France. France intends to meet the aspirations of this Hungary that has chosen Europe.
The relationship between France and Hungary is based on our shared membership of the European Union and the Atlantic Alliance. It can only flourish on the basis of a common commitment to the fundamental values of the European Union.
On 3 June in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron and Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced the launch of a new strategic partnership between our two countries. This partnership will strengthen our cooperation in strategic areas crucial to the sovereignty of both our countries: cooperation in the energy sector, particularly in civil nuclear power, with major French companies playing a part in developing the country’s nuclear capabilities; and enhanced cooperation in the defence sector for the benefit of our shared security.
We will also launch a specific initiative to combat disinformation and foreign interference, as both our countries have been particularly targeted by this form of hybrid warfare.
Beyond that, it is our cooperation as a whole that will need to reach its full potential. Our companies have high expectations of a return to a more favourable business climate. France is the sixth-largest investor in Hungary. More than 500 French companies operate here, employing nearly 50,000 people.
I would like to sincerely thank our companies and the Foreign Trade Advisers for their daily commitment to promoting the ‘France brand’ across a wide range of sectors, and I commend the Franco-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which is represented here this evening, for its role in connecting the large French business community.
Cooperation in the fields of culture, education and academia will, of course, be at the heart of this new strategic partnership.
The French Institute in Budapest, one of the largest in Europe – our ‘Beaubourg of the Danube’ – is a symbol of this relationship, just as it was 35 years ago when it symbolised France’s return to Hungary.
In 2027, we will celebrate the Institute’s 80th anniversary – an institute that is reinventing itself, welcoming new audiences and expanding beyond Budapest to all parts of Hungary. An institute that works in partnership with Hungarian cultural institutions, thanks to which we can enjoy the Vasarely exhibition in Budapest at the Museum of Fine Arts, the Károly Ferenczy exhibition in Paris at the Petit Palais, and soon, a Paul Gauguin exhibition in Budapest, in addition to over 20 exhibitions celebrating together the bicentenary of photography.
Vasarely exhibition in Budapest:
Károly Ferenczy exhibition in Paris:
As you know, Hungary is home to a vibrant Francophone community, representatives of which we brought together for the ‘General Assembly of the French Language’, an event that led to the formulation of numerous recommendations aimed at making the Francophone world more accessible, more dynamic, more open and better recognised.
As the French Ambassador to Hungary, I am fully aware of the responsibility involved in fostering relations between our two countries, and I hope to carry out my mission – working not only with the Embassy team but also with the Hungarian Government and with you – so that we can achieve this shared ambition.
Today, more than ever, France believes in a strong and sovereign Europe that is capable of addressing the security, geopolitical, economic and environmental challenges facing our continent.
France, which holds the G7 Presidency, believes more than ever in the need for robust multilateralism, and we are delighted that Hungary once again shares this objective.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge the role played in our relationship by the French community in Hungary and its representatives here this evening: Ms. Dubard, Mr. Liégey and Mr. Fedou, as well as several thousand of our compatriots who have fully integrated and contribute to France’s influence, each in their own field of expertise.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
your presence this evening reflects the diversity of those involved in our bilateral relationship: elected representatives, institutional figures, representatives of civil society, and leading members of the intellectual and artistic communities. Together, we share the same goals for the relationship between our two countries: an ambitious partnership that serves the interests of both our peoples and of Europe.”
“Long live the Republic, long live Franco-Hungarian friendship, and long live France!”
The Guests of Honour joined the Ambassador for a toast.
Following the official proceedings, the guests enjoyed a generous reception featuring the renowned cuisine of France, accompanied by an excellent selection of French wines and beers. The elegant setting of the French Residence provided the ideal atmosphere for memorable encounters and inspiring conversations among invitees, further strengthening the spirit of friendship that characterised the evening.
As the reception drew to a close, Ambassador Jonathan Lacôte kindly invited the attendees to Budapest’s Liberty Square, where football fans had gathered to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final between France and Spain. The match, which took place on Bastille Day, added a unique sporting dimension to the French National Day festivities.
Although France’s impressive 2026 World Cup campaign ended with a defeat against Spain, who deservedly lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy, congratulations are extended to the Spanish team on their magnificent accomplishment.
French captain Kylian Mbappé nevertheless concluded the tournament by claiming the FIFA Golden Boot in 2026, becoming the first player in history to win the prestigious award twice after retaining the title he first earned at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This remarkable achievement cemented his status as one of the world’s greatest footballers.
Honouring the Legacy of the French Foreign Legion
A moving feature of the Bastille Day celebration was the presence of Hungarian veterans of the French Foreign Legion, who proudly carried their association’s ceremonial flag, bearing the traditional emblem of the Hungarian Hussars, and stood alongside the French Ambassador and the esteemed Guests of Honour during the official ceremony. Their participation added a powerful historical and symbolic dimension to the evening.
Since its establishment in 1831, the French Foreign Legion has welcomed volunteers from around the world, including many Hungarians who have served France with courage, loyalty and honour. Many made the ultimate sacrifice, while others became among the Legion’s most highly decorated soldiers, leaving behind a distinguished legacy that continues to inspire new generations.
These former legionnaires are united in the Association of Hungarian Veterans of the French Foreign Legion (AALEH), founded in November 2025 to preserve the Legion’s traditions, strengthen camaraderie, and promote Franco-Hungarian friendship and the centuries-old military ties between France and Hungary, dating back to the 17th century, when the renowned Hungarian Hussar regiments became part of the French Army.
The French National Day celebrations in Budapest reflected not only the historic ideals of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity born in 1789, but also the vitality of today’s Franco-Hungarian relations.
Marked by renewed political dialogue, expanding economic and defence cooperation, vibrant cultural exchanges, and enduring people-to-people ties, the outstanding reception hosted by Ambassador Jonathan Lacôte served as a fitting celebration of a relationship entering a new era through the Strategic Partnership between the two nations, reaffirming their shared commitment to a strong, united, and democratic Europe.
Bastille Day Parade in Paris
The principal Bastille Day celebrations took place in Paris, where Anita Orbán, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, represented her country at the official ceremonies.
The traditional military parade on the Champs-Élysées opened with Ukraine and 35 allied nations marching together in a powerful display of international solidarity. Among the participating contingents was the Hungarian Hussar Guard, a further visible symbol of the historic bonds, mutual respect, and long-standing friendship between France and Hungary.
Source: Embassy of France in Budapest
Photos from Daniel Vegel – Embassy of France in Budapest, and Diplomatic Press Agency
Edited by Anna Popper
