It’s Bastille Day! What better way to celebrate the national French holiday (it commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison) than to watch some French cinema?! The list below is comprised of 10 of my favorite French films, it’s in no way a definitive list, but each and every film is not only great, but is also filled with all that makes France a one of a kind place.

Also, takepart to learn about how we can “storm” prisons here. Or in other words how The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights is promoting positive alternatives to violence and incarceration.

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10) Beauty and the Beast - Beautiful and for the entire family, Jean Cocteau creates a haunting world that everyone should visit.

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9) Muriel - You can’t have a list of French films without an Alain Resnais film. This one features the great Delphine Seyrig and is one of my good movie pal’s favorite film of all time.

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Regular Lovers - When I think of France, I often think of May 68′. Philippe Garrel’s tribute to youthful idealism and exploration of post revolution malaise is an amazing trip down the memory lane of that time.

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7) Umbrellas of Cherbourg - A film opera about a woman whose husband goes to fight in Algeria never to return may seem sappy on the surface, but underneath is lovely and simple (in the best way possible). Also it stars the queen of French cinema, Catherine Deneuve.

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6) Kings and Queen - A film by one of France’s present day premier directors, Arnaud Desplechin, Kings and Queen is an example of impeccable storytelling. Not to mention that it stars two of France’s top performers, Mathieu Amalric and Emmanuelle Devos (and Catherine Deneuve as well)

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5) Cleo from 5 -7 - A film about a lady, by one of France’s most awesome ladies, Agnes Varda, follows Cleo as she procrastinates getting results from a doctor. A portrait of Paris in the 60’s this film also features cameos from Jean-Luc Godard and Anna Karina (could you get more French?).

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4) The Rules of the Game - Critically the grandfather of all French films, Jean Renoir’s countryside caper is a statement on class, love and society.

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3) Masculine Feminine - My favorite Godard has always been Contempt, but with the international setting and cast, it might not be the best film to put on a French films list. I’ll opt instead for Masculine Feminine. Its stars the ultimate French actor, Jean-Pierre Leaud and is a testament to French youth. (Also, underneath the trailer is another Godard film, a short, that is nothing short of amazing, give a watch!)

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2) Army of Shadows - A moving piece on the French resistance, the opening shot alone makes this film one to be seen. A masterpiece.

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1) The 400 Blows - Francois Truffaut is my favorite French director and thus his first film sits at # 1. The 400 Blows wows me every time and also ushered in the French new wave. My favorite favorite Truffaut films are Two English Girls and Jules and Jim - so consider those #1’s as well!.

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ONE MORE - I have to mention this film, I truly love it…

Jean Eustache’s The Mother and the Whore. It’s long but with every passing second it gets better.