Fête Nationale de Montfermeil

The National Holiday in Montfermeil: July 14th in Cosette's Town

Montfermeil (93370) is a commune in Seine-Saint-Denis, world-renowned for its connection to Victor Hugo's novel Les Misérables: it is here that the novelist set the Thénardier inn and the meeting between Jean Valjean and little Cosette. This unique literary identity gives the commune a special character, reflected in the intensity with which it celebrates July 14th each year, the holiday of the republican ideals that Victor Hugo passionately defended.

Fireworks over the Heights of the 93

Perched on the heights of Seine-Saint-Denis, Montfermeil offers clear views over a large part of the Parisian region. Its July 14th fireworks display benefits from this particular terrain: launched from an open space, the pyrotechnic show is visible from many points in the commune and its surroundings. The colorful bursts spectacularly illuminate the night sky, transforming the rooftops of Montfermeil into natural observation balconies.

Popular Entertainment and Spirit of Fraternity

The evening of July 13th brings Montfermeil residents together in a spirit of conviviality and fraternity that is very much in the Hugo-esque style. Entertainment begins in the early evening with popular food stalls, music, and games for children. The torchlight procession, organized through the town's streets with lanterns and torches, creates a particularly evocative nocturnal procession. A popular ball—a tradition that Victor Hugo himself loved to observe in the streets of Paris—completes the festivities after the fireworks.

Montfermeil in the Modernity of the 93

While Montfermeil carries the weight of its literary past, it is today a modern and dynamic town of about 27,000 inhabitants, which has made its history a richness rather than a burden. The town's cultural program readily draws on its Hugolian heritage to offer original entertainment, especially during major local festivals. The Maison des Mots and the town's cultural facilities sometimes participate in the July 14th festivities.

The Republican Ceremony

On the morning of July 14th, the town hall organizes the traditional civic ceremony at the war memorial, with a wreath-laying, speeches, and participation from patriotic associations. This solemn moment recalls the meaning of the national holiday and pays tribute to the fighters who defended republican values.