Thursday 14th of July is quite special across the channel, as the French commemorate the anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille in 1789. Today it’s all about making the most of this French summer bank holiday and gathering your friends and family. In the UK, it might not be a day off, but there are many ways to celebrate the French National Day! We’ve rounded up five of our favourite events happening across the UK for the occasion.
Bastille Day dinner at Provisions Holloway
Well-established independent cheese and wine shop Provisions is throwing a Mediterranean-inspired dinner to celebrate! At the heart of this cosy French deli, sit back at the communal counter and indulge in a five-course menu rustled up by their chef Max Truel (ex-Frenchie, Pollen Street Social and Bar Crispin).
Here’s a sneak peak, transporting you straight to the South of France: sardines en escabeche, tomato tartare with anchovies and marjoram, cod bouillabaisse and aioli… Sip on some celebratory Blanquette de Limoux bubbles, and pretend you’re on holiday!
Thursday 14th July 2022 - 6.30pm or 8.30pm seating
5-course menu £40 tickets available here. (£25 optional wine pairing).
Provisions Holloway Road
167 Holloway Road,
London N7 8LX provisionslondon.co.uk
© ©Provisions Holloway
Bastille Day Party at le Pont de la Tour
A French party on a beautiful terrace overlooking the river Thames and Tower Bridge? Yes please! To celebrate, restaurant institution Le Pont de la Tour is teaming up with Maison Mirabeau wine producer from sunny Provence for a one-of-a-kind seafood feast in their Bistrot.
Rock oysters, Cornish crab mayonnaise on toast, smoked salmon ballotine blinis, cheeky prawns flambéed with pastis, sweet cannelés from Bordeaux and more, dancing to the tune of a Parisian band, that’s a plan!
Thursday 14th July 2022 from 5.30 to 9pm
Tickets £50 available here, include all food and a glass of Mirabeau Azure Provence Rosé 2021 on arrival
Le Pont de La Tour
36D Shad Thames
London SE1 2YE
© ©Le Pont De La Tour
Bastille Day at Brasserie Zédel
Never short of crazy ideas, this Piccadilly Circus Parisian-style institution now runs an annual ballot for Bastille Day. Participants will have a chance to win a complimentary 3-course dinner at French Brasserie Zédel on Bastille Day.
The lucky successful ones will have to wear their best striped Breton shirt and a béret to enjoy the ‘formule’ with a glass of wine. Bonne chance!
Brasserie Zédel
20 Sherwood St,
London W1F 7ED
© ©Brasserie Zédel
French cheese for Bastille Day with Paxton & Whitefield
You’d rather stay in and invite friends over? Then ancestral London cheesemonger Paxton & Whitefield has you covered. Order their classic French cheese selection to celebrate the flavours of Bastille Day from the comfort of your own home.
What you’ll find in this jewel of a box curated by their cheesemongers: fruity traditional Comté PDO, nutty Selles-Sur-Cher PDO goats cheese, decadently creamy Brillat-Savarin and firm Fourme d'Ambert blue cheese, along with a richy fig and walnut paste from the French Pyrénées. Pair it with a sweet Monbazillac dessert wine for a match made in cheese heaven.
Box £45 - Paxton & Whitfield Monbazillac £20
© ©Paxton & Whitefield
Bastille Day Festival in Reading
Running for the 10th year, Bastille Day Festival Reading is back for a weekend of music, food and singing shows with a French touch for the whole family.
What’s on: performances including French retro and jazz music, various food and drinks stalls showcasing French products, along with crafts and activities with HobbyCraft and Decathlon.
Free entry
Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th July 2022 from 11 am to 5pm
Forbury Gardens, Reading
© ©Bastille Day Festival
Contributor
Valentine Benoist
Editor
