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"Bastille Day" is France's national holiday. "La Bastille" refers to the storming of La Bastille, a turning point in the French Revolution that happened on July 14th 1789. Today, the French celebrate Bastille Day much like we celebrate July 4th in the US or July 1st in Canada - with wonderful friends, great food and beautiful wines! Here is how to host a Bastille Day celebration, where ever you are in the world.
Bastille Day is at the peak of summer so there is no better excuse to hang on to your red, white and blue decorations for a little longer and throw a French Riviera-style chic summer soirée!
"Bastille Day" is France's national holiday. "La Bastille" refers to the storming of La Bastille, a turning point in the French Revolution that happened on July 14th 1789. Today, the French celebrate Bastille Day much like we celebrate July 4th in the US or July 1st in Canada - with wonderful friends, great food and beautiful wines!
In the South of France we always celebrated Bastille Day with a good meal between friends. Served outdoors in an informal style was always my favorite. An Apéro style is a fun way to welcome guests for a fun gathering.
Dishes such as Salade Niçoise, Salade Tropezienne, Fresh baked Baguette, Petit Farçis Niçois, Le Grand Aïoli and Bayaldi Provençal are great to serve. Your guests will appreciate the authentic French flavors.
Location:
Outdoors. Wether it is poolside or in the park, Bastille day is best spent outdoors. Lay out a blue table cloth, put out some white plates and add some red flowers in little bud vases. Simple and elegant while perfectly on point. Decorate how you wish with bleu, blanc, rouge being the primary colors or else simply let the food, the wine and the conversation do all the talking. Your event will feel French regardless of the decorations you choose, especially if you are playing French music!
Time:
I personally love hosting events in the early evening because the kids can partake and then get whisked off to bed. A brunch event would work beautifully too where you can make a crêpe bar and serve Bastille Day Crêpes!
Music:
Ask Alexa (or google) to play songs by Brigitte Bardot. You can't go wrong with Brigitte. Le Chef and I also listen to a lot of Yves Montand - GREAT dinner party music! Charles Aznavour and Edith Piaf also work beautifully but can be a little overpowering as background music. Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg provide a great soundtrack to your event, especially if you don't mind a little "ooh la la!"
What to wear to a Bastille Day celebration
Is there anything more classically French than a Marinière? A fun take on a blue & white striped shirt, I like this version from French Wink as well as the matching t-shirt dress.
You can find my favorite French Wink essentials in my boutique selection here.
Bastille Day Drinks:
Rosé! Pick up your favorite Rosé and serve it chilled. When possible opt for French Rosé. Le Chef and I particularly love any Rosé from Bandol. Chateau Mirval and Whispering Angel are also delicious and easily available in the US. Bring an ice bucket too keep it cool - warmed up Rosé is like drinking warm champagne - "dommage".
Pastis. Le Chef loves Ricard, 1 part Ricard, 3 parts water, served over ice cubes. Add a little Orgeat syrup and you have yourself a "Mauresque"!
Piscine Pêche is a classic cocktail of the iconic village of Saint Tropez. Click for the full recipe for a Piscine Pêche .
Serve your apéro with a little Olive Tapenade to whet your guest's appetite, all the while playing a little Petanque (the Provençal version of Bocci ball) to get guests immediately in the South of France mood.
Menu:
The Bastille Day parties that I most enjoy are served "Apéro" style. Lay out all the food on big platters on the table and let your guests pick at what they like as they mix and mingle.
Salads:
A simple and tasty finger food is mini Caprese skewers with cherry tomatoes, bocconcini and basil leaves. Take a toothpick, stick each one on et voilà!
Salade Niçoise : La classique! The true Niçoise is simply mixed greens with tomatoes, hard boiled eggs and olives, topped with tuna or anchovies. The culinary guild of Nice adds radishes, purple artichokes, basil, green onions, bell peppers and garlic in their traditional version.
But if you care to add cooked potatoes or green beans, that is your prerogative - you are the host!
There are many more French inspired summer salads listed here: The Best Summer Salads
Main Course
Seated Dinner
There are so many great choices here! One of my favorite dishes of all time is Les Petits Farçis . Roasted summer vegetables stuffed with a delicious savory sausage and herb filling. Served with a simple green salad, the meal is perfection. We will be hosting a live cooking demonstration with Alliance Française DC on July 9th 2022 at 3pm EST if you want to learn to make this dish from scratch! Get Tickets here.
If you are feeling ambitious in the kitchen, Le Grand Aioli is a dish that your guests will never forget. Milk poached cod, shrimp and mussels served with a garlicky handmade aioli and a bevy of fresh steamed vegetables is light, fresh and oh so chic. Great for a long, leisurely meal.
Another great fish dish is Branzino with Vierge Sauce. Light, fresh and super simple to prepare! Bayaldi Provençal is a great vegetarian dish to serve as well.
BBQ Style Bastille Day:
Merguez sausages - these spicy lamb sausages from North Africa are a must during the summer. Served in a crusty baguette with Dijon mustard they are simple and packed with flavor. If you are not able to find Merguez, look for spicy Italian sausage but do yourself a favor and avoid the soft brioche hot dog bun…all the fun comes from tearing into that crunchy baguette! This is likely the one and only French food I have NEVER seen eaten with a knife and a fork in France!
La Quiche:
Simple to make and delicious cold or hot, La quiche is picnic staple in France. I prefer mine with cheese and ham ( Quiche Lorraine) but goat cheese and grilled vegetables or salmon and spinach is also "delicieux"!
Fresh Fruits:
July is a great season for fresh fruit. Pick up nectarines or peaches- slice them and then toss them with a squirt of lemon juice and fresh mint and you have a refreshing dessert! Sliced watermelon or cantaloupe also works perfectly.
Cheese platter:
Is there ever not a cheese platter at a French event? A runny camembert or a slice of goat cheese drizzled with honey is always welcome.
Bastille Day Desserts:
If you are up to spending some time preparing your desserts, here are some of my absolute favorite French desserts that are always impressive to serve.
(both of the above can be made in advance so are great for an outdoor gathering when you won't be next to an oven)
Last but not least, you can do as the French do and stop by a local patisserie and pick up a box of macarons or some French pastries. A raspberry tart is a beautiful way to end a delectable Bastille day celebration!
Thank you for reading " How to host a Bastille Day Celebration", I would love to hear from you how you celebrate Bastille Day!
Au plaisir,
Le Chef's Wife
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