Here's What People Are Eating to Celebrate Bastille Day (2024)

Celebrate France by eating well today.

Published on July 14, 2017

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Here's What People Are Eating to Celebrate Bastille Day (2)

Today is Bastille Day – known in France as the National Celebration – a holiday that memorializes the 1798 Storming of the Bastille, a medieval fortress used, at the time, to house political prisoners. The event marked a positive turning point in the French Revolution (which overthrew the monarchy and established France as a republic, though it eventually led to Napoleon's dictatorship). Bastille Day also celebrates the Fête de la Fédération or the unity of the French people and a time of peace in the country, a year later.

The first Bastille Day celebration took place on July 14, 1879. A year later, Bastille Day celebrations became an official holiday. Since then, a military parade has been held in Paris to commemorate the occasion; since 1918 the parade has marched down the Champs-Elysees. The only time the parade did not take place was during the German occupation of France from 1940 to 1944, though General Charles de Gaulle held a separate ceremony in London to keep the tradition alive.

There are no official Bastille Day meals, but there's really no better way to honor France than by indulging in French food: A breakfast of pastries, crepes, brioche, and croissants would be fitting, followed by a quiche for lunch, pâté, and onion soup. There's no better day to indulge in rich cheese, flakey bread, savory tarts, and red wine at dinner. There's no right way to eat food on Bastille Day, as long as you're eating delicious, well made food – lots of it – and enjoying yourself. Here are 10 more ways people are celebrating Bastille Day with food.

This spread pays homage to the best finds at renowned bakery Ladurée.

A chrming creation of the French flag with food with a cameo from rosé.

The French version of some light snacks.

Macarons are a classic way to celebrate French desserts.

Champagne: A necessary addition to Bastille Day celebrations.

How the French do seafood.

What's a party without at least one decadent cake?

When it comes to celebrating France, you can never have too much cheese.

An eye-catching pink cake gets the French treatment with more macarons.

A layered shot gives drinking a French twist.

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Here's What People Are Eating to Celebrate Bastille Day (2024)

FAQs

Here's What People Are Eating to Celebrate Bastille Day? ›

Some of the “traditional” Bastille Day foods you might see people eating around France include (but are certainly not limited to!) crepes, croissants and other pastries, brioche, bread and cheese, quiche, and maybe some nice wine with dinner.

What foods are traditionally eaten on Bastille Day? ›

There are no official Bastille Day meals, but there's really no better way to honor France than by indulging in French food: A breakfast of pastries, crepes, brioche, and croissants would be fitting, followed by a quiche for lunch, pâté, and onion soup.

What do people do to celebrate Bastille Day? ›

One of the revolutionary days in Paris and now a national holiday, the 14th of July ("Bastille Day") is celebrated with a mixture of solemn military parades and easygoing dancing and fireworks. The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789 has been commemorated in France for more than a century.

What recipes could be chosen which are often prepared in France to commemorate Bastille Day? ›

Tabouleh, salade niçoise, lamb cutlets with mustard, merguez, barbequed beef kebabs, barbequed turbot fish. For dessert, a cheese platter and vacherin (meringue and ice cream cake) or clafoutis (cherry pie).

What do the French say to celebrate Bastille Day? ›

There is no French equivalent to "Happy Bastille Day" – all you can say is, generically, Bonne fête ! And of course, there's also Vive la France ! (but try not to overuse it).

What to drink on Bastille Day? ›

Wine & Champagne

Of course, French wine and Champagne are always de rigeur and on Bastille Day, there's nothing like celebrating French terroir and regionality within your budget.

What is the main meal of the day in France? ›

In France, lunch is typically the main meal of the day, and French people spend more time enjoying lunch than most people in other countries.

What to wear for Bastille Day? ›

Say Oui to Stripes!

Stripes pull this idea off perfectly. The perfect pick for Bastille Day, simple black and white stripes go hand in hand with a pop of color. Be bold and pair a twirl-worthy tulle skirt with your simple boat-neck t-shirt or keep it simple and pair your black stripes with chic bermuda shorts.

What fun things to do on Bastille Day? ›

Read on to see how best to spend Bastille Day in Paris, ensuring a memorable experience that will cater for all.
  • Attend the Bastille Day Military Parade. Start your Bastille Day by witnessing the iconic military parade along the Champs-Élysées. ...
  • Picnic at the Champ de Mars. ...
  • Explore French Culture. ...
  • Fireworks Extravaganza.

What is considered French food? ›

15 French meals you have to try
  • Chicken confit.
  • French onion soup.
  • Bouillabaisse.
  • Salmon en papillote.
  • Quiche Lorraine.
  • Croque monsieur.
  • Boeuf bourguignon.
  • Lamb shank navarin.

What should I bring to the Bastille day party? ›

All you need is a fresh baguette, a bottle of wine, a wheel of cheese and some charcuterie. Pâté and mousse are picnic-ready; add Saucisson Sec and Jambon de Bayonne for a proper spread.

What decorations are used on Bastille Day? ›

The French flag is red, white and blue so decorate your 'Café de Paris' dining room with streamers and balloons in this colour. You can also conjure up images of Paris with Eiffel Tower cutouts and red gingham/check tablecloths. Berets and cat's eyeglasses make for amusing props.

Is it correct to say "Happy Bastille Day"? ›

The French don't typically wish each other a happy Bastille Day.

How do you greet someone on Bastille Day? ›

“Joyeux 14 Juillet” or “Bonne Fête Nationale” are both phrases used to extend Bastille Day greetings.

What did the Bastille serve? ›

Bastille, medieval fortress on the east side of Paris that became, in the 17th and 18th centuries, a French state prison and a place of detention for important persons charged with various offenses.

What are some French food traditions? ›

The most traditional foods that are eaten in France consist of bread, cheese, and wine. Almost every meal consumed in France has some sort of bread or cheese included, but one of the most traditional meals in France is pot au feu.

What do you wear to a Bastille Day dinner? ›

The perfect pick for Bastille Day, simple black and white stripes go hand in hand with a pop of color. Be bold and pair a twirl-worthy tulle skirt with your simple boat-neck t-shirt or keep it simple and pair your black stripes with chic bermuda shorts.

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