What is Bastille Day?
Bastille Day is a French holiday, celebrating the fall of the medieval fortress in Paris called the Bastille on July 14th 1789. The Bastille held political prisoners and its defeat led to the start of the French Revolution. Now around the world, French colonies and anyone else who wants to get involved can spend the day celebrating French culture and cuisine, much the way many people celebrate Ireland’s St Patrick’s Day.
La Petite Crêperie – Fresh French Crêpes in Melbourne CBD
Situated on the corner of Little Collins Street and Swanston street, this permanent kiosk is located on the footpath and sells freshly made french crêpes. This company also has a few mobile food trucks, so you can be sure to find those popped up somewhere in Melbourne every Bastille Day, as well as other food truck festivals and events all year round.
Balgownie Estate Winery Retreat and Vineyard in Bendigo
Located at 46 Hermitage Road, Maiden Gully, Bendigo, Victoria, this beautiful winery offers the perfect place for glamping and a wine tour. For Bastille Day, they host a special French-inspired menu created by Balgownie Estate head chef Travis Rodwell and serve French wines by the glass and of course, French martinis.
Laurent French Bakeries – Paris Brest Desserts
Wow, there’s a lot more Laurent French bakery stores than I realised, they are now located in the following suburbs and locations in Melbourne’s CBD and eastern suburbs – Albert Park, Balwyn, Brighton, Camberwell, Chadstone Shopping Centre, Collins Place, Doncaster Shopping Centre, East Melbourne, Eastland Shopping Centre, Hawthorn, Kew, Little Collins Street, South Yarra, The Glen, Toorak and William Street. Laurent offers a special version of Paris-Brest, a dessert made of choux pastry and praline cream which has a white chocolate French flag on top. This is available for the week leading up to Bastille Day each year.
Franco-Belge – French-Belgian Restaurant in Camberwell
The perfect dinner for Bastille Day in Melbourne would be the 3-course set menu dinner held at Franco Belge in Camberwell. With a few different set menu options, it will be easy to avoid the escargot if you don’t want to eat snails. Be sure to make a booking as this would be likely to book out.
Have a picnic in your favourite park such as the Werribee Mansion
Whilst many public or private parks such as the Werribee Mansion do not allow you to bring your own alcohol onto their grounds, you can still bring a picnic rug and a picnic basket full of French cheeses and other little snacks to enjoy with your friends and family.
Bar Ampère – 1930s Bar in Melbourne CBD
Whilst this bar is more Italian-inspired overall, they still offer a lot of French specialties for Bastille Day including pairings of vermouth and French cheeses. This special usually costs $60 per person and you will learn about the history of these products and how they are made. Open until 3 AM every night, Bar Ampère could be the perfect spot to end your night.
Join the Soiree at So Frenchy So Discotheque
Dance the night away with this dance party rendezvous. Under the giant mirror ball, the best French music from the 60’s until the 90’s will be playing non-stop to keep you grooving all night. Nonetheless, Bastille Day will not be complete without French food; hence, amass your tastes in a bistronomy menu of
French delicacies, available for pre-order to keep you dancing longer. This is a 6-hour French experience of music, champagne, dancers, mirror balls, cocktails, bistronomy, glitter atelier and surprise arts performances. Still, don’t forget to wear the dress code – tuxedos, lace, bell-bottoms, double denim, and bold accessories are always a must.
Enjoy a two-course dinner in Geelong
Feeling fancy on Bastille Day? If you’re in Geelong, enjoy French cuisine at the Little Creature Brewery; you’ll be served a charcuterie grazing starter first, while enjoying an evening of fun and entertainment featuring French gypsy jazz. You’ll also get to sip selected French Wines together with your meal, where you can go with your family and loved ones as well. General admission is priced at $79, and everyone is also invited to attend the prestigious event.
Go on a stylish dinner at Cognoscenti Food & Wine
Along the Dandenong Ranges situated just 50 minutes away from Melbourne’s CBD, you’ll get to a stylish and fancy dining destination that’s definitely worth the visit. Fill up your bellies with a 5-course meal, inside a charming rustic ambience with timber floors and potted greenery. You’ll start off with seared scallops, cucumber salsa, celeriac purée and apple, before your full meat course. Yet, if you’re up for an afternoon celebration, it would be ideal to go to their courtyard; Sunday cocktails are served, and snack on duck liver parfait, crostini and aged apple balsamic. This restaurant is another luxurious way to enjoy Bastille Day in Victoria, with courses that will satisfy every inch of your French food cravings. It’s another day of celebration, so why budget eating, right?
Bonus: Party at The Rocks in Sydney
The Annual Bastille Day Celebration will not be complete without a night of party, food, dancing, and festivities, right? If you’re longing for a night out, the Alliance Française de Sydney gives you an opportunity to meet the local and international community, all coming together for some night fun partying to the music of the best DJs in town. French and international performances are also one of the best highlights of the show, where you can also win fantastic prizes throughout the evening. And oh, Don’t forget to wear French stripes and tropical florals!
Bastille Day is a commemoration of the French-Australian alliance. Nonetheless, it’s a call for celebration of the local and international community, bringing in the best of the best in Australia; from food, performances, events, and all of the greatest French vibes, it sure is a day Australians always look forward to. So why settle for less when you will get to experience the best French day there is? Need we say more?
