Bastille Day marks ten years since the Nice attack
By Zak Jackson, MonacoViews Editorial
France's National Day on 14 July carried particular weight this year, with Monaco joining Nice in marking a decade since the 2016 terrorist attack that killed 86 people.
Bastille Day 2026 carried a weight beyond the usual celebration, as commemorations across the French Riviera marked ten years since the 14 July 2016 attack on the Nice Promenade des Anglais, in which 86 people were killed and hundreds more injured when a lorry was driven into the crowd watching the fireworks.
In Nice, remembrance ceremonies ran alongside the traditional military parade before an evening tribute in Place Masséna. Monaco joined its neighbour in marking the anniversary, reflecting the close ties between the Principality and the surrounding region, where many residents cross the border daily and where the attack touched families on both sides.
The 14 July holiday retains a distinctive character in Monaco, where French nationals form a significant part of the resident population and where the day is observed with its own ceremonies and events. This year, the dual nature of the occasion - national celebration and collective mourning - gave the commemorations a particular resonance for people across the Côte d'Azur.