Bastille Day is a French national holiday celebrated on July 14 to commemorate the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789 and the launch of the French Revolution. The Alliance Française de Washington and French restaurants in the Washington DC area offer special events and menus in celebration of Bastille Day. This is a great opportunity to learn about the culture and cuisine of France.
Bastille Day French Festival – July 15, 2017, 9:30 am-7pm Hillwood Estate Museum & Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington DC. This annual DC festival celebrates France both past and present, with festivities for visitors of all ages, including dance performances, live music, French games, and hands-on art projects. The events take place between the founder of Hillwood, Marjorie Post’s first collective passion for the decorative arts of 18th century France, as well as the estate’s magnificent gardens.
The event is sponsored by The Alliance Française de Washington, the world’s largest network of French-language and cultural centers.
Bastille Day DC Celebration – July 15, 2017, 7: 30-11: 30 pm French Embassy, 4101 Reservoir Road NW Washington, DC. “Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!” or “Let the good times roll!” As New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz and holds the title of the most French-speaking city in the United States, we’ll highlight this incredible city on the eve of its 300th birthday.
DC Road Runners Bastille Day 4 Miler – July 14, 2017, 7-9 pm Fletcher’s Boat House, 4940 Canal Rd NW Washington, DC. Commemorate the storming of the Bastille on a four-mile round trip on the C&O Canal Towpath. After the race, stick around and have a great race with your fellow runners, check out the prize announcements and partake in the refreshments.
Bastille Restaurant – 606 N Fayette St, Alexandria, VA. Native Parisian chef Christophe Poteaux, who, along with his wife, chef Michelle Poteaux, has been serving French-inspired cuisine at the Bastille restaurant in Old Town Alexandria, feels the celebration shouldn’t last just one day. For the week of July 11-16, 2017, the Poteaux Chefs declared it French Restaurant Week in Bastille. Throughout the week, the restaurant will host a $ 35 prix fixe three-course dinner of French classics to celebrate French Independence Day.
The meal includes a selection of entrants as a soup of the day; Provencal snails; melon, cucumbers y queso feta o “Niçoise” salad next to a selection of main course con selecciones tales como mussels and fries; grilled fish, Chermoula; chicken confit Basquaise; shallot tab; Grilled Lamb or risotto with tomatoes and fennel.
Central Michel Richard – 1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC. Celebrate Bastille Day at DC’s premier Franco-American bistro. Central will kick off its week-long celebration of holiday food and wine pairings on Tuesday, July 11. In honor of the holiday, Central will end the week with a special $ 48 three-course menu with optional French wine pairings for an additional $ 24 available. Friday and Saturday, July 14 and 15. The prix fixe menu includes gougères and fricassé d’escargots in the appetizer course, a rack of lamb, piperade, yogurt kale and cumin yogurt sauce and Paris-Brest for dessert.
Cafe du Parc – 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC. Celebrate Bastille Day at the Café du Parc with an evening of French food, a cash bar, and live music. Enjoy specials like made-to-order crepes ($ 10), as well as three glasses of wine and a charcuterie and cheese board for $ 30.
Read more about cultural events and festivals in Washington DC
