Two French festivals to celebrate Bastille Day this weekend in Sydney and Melbourne

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This weekend, you can celebrate the French national day, Bastille Day at two different festivals, one in Sydney and one in Melbourne. In Sydney, it’s called the Bastille Festival : Revolution in the Rocks. In Melbourne, it’s simply called Bastille Day Melbourne French Festival.

 

BASTILLE FESTIVAL (SYDNEY)

 

To eat

With more than 70 food stalls, you can go on a true culinary voyage around France. Raclette and fondue from the Alps, choucroute and flammenkuchen from the East of France and as well as crêpes and delicious cheese from Normandy and Brittany.

 

But this festival isn’t only about classic French dishes. You can find more modern, fusion dishes, such as camembert arancini , creamy mushroom gnocchi, French paella, or churros with French jams and much more.

 

And of course because no meal is complete without something sweet, there will be éclairs, macarons, cakes, chocolates and pâtisseries.

 

To drink

At the Electro Beer Garden, you will have a choice of beer and ciders from France, elsewhere in Europe and Australia. There is also a Bastille Festival Craft Beer Bar menu. And even more exciting is that there are 6 beers created especially for the Bastille Festival! You can chill out with a beer or cider and some French electro music.

 

If wine is more your thing, head in the direction of the Opera House. Youll find a gorgeous bar with pink lights and that’s the rosé bar – you can not only drink rosé wine but also eat foods made with rosé – in the words of Marie Antoinette “Let them eat cake!”

 

If you would like to drink different wines from different stalls at the festival, then purchase a Wine Voyage passport. For $29 you get 4 wines or for $34 7 different wines and the tasting glass to keep. Pre-book here: https://bastillefestival.com.au/product/french-wine-tasting-tour/

 

And because it’s a celebration and no party is complete without champagne, there is a champagne bar. Want something to warm you up instead? How about some mulled wine from the mulled wine chalets at the Bastille Festival.

 

Christmas in July

Argyle Street will be transfromed into a Christmas market. The Bastille Festival has imported 12 wooden chalets from Europe especially for the festival. You will be able to find gifts such as artisinal creations, wooden toys, candles and French food such as saucisson, foie gras, waffles and crêpes.

 

Entertainment

The Bastille Festival has really covered all bases in its entertainment program- music, film, cabaret, DJ sets, circus, dance and other live shows. Look at the program of all of the “live arts” here: https://bastillefestival.com.au/live-arts/

 

Entry to the Bastille Festival is free .

 

BASTILLE DAY MELBOURNE FRENCH FESTIVAL

 

The ball

Tonight, Saturday 14 July The Bastille Day Melbourne Festival has organised a ball for Bastille Day. At the ball you will dance to music by Smokey Joe and The Kid feat Yoshi, a group from Bordeaux that plays a mix of hip hop, electro and swing. DJ Incontrol From New Calaedonia will play his European electro swing. Tickets are available here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/le-bal-electro-swing-tickets-46965907293

 

To eat?

Plenty of delicious French foods will be on offer: macarons, pâtisseries, raclette, chocolates, French bread, crêpes, cheese, des saucissons, mussels and even more.

 

To drink?

French wines of course!

 

To market, to market

You can also buy French products such as vintage posters, Simone Pérèle lingerie, French organic make-up, household products or even prepare your next holiday with stands for Air Calin, Singapore Airlines and for New Calaedonia.

 

Entertainment

 

Art

You can immerse yourself in several exhibitions at the festival: Sur Le Mur , Launch or even watching DNART and Fanny Devert painting live.

 

Performances

La Nuit Blanche, a French band from Melbourne will play at the Bastille Day Melbourne French Festival on Saturday. La Belle Musette will also play. There will also be performances by Moogy, Vive La Différence and Glen Eira College, Sirius College and  La La La.

 

Masterclasses

You can learn more about many different French things by taking the masterclasses on offer at the Bastille Day Melbourne French Festival. Subjects covered include fencing, French trivia, wine and cheese tasting, the origins of Bordeaux wines, French style, rum agricole and traditional, champagne and perfume. These masterclasses require their own tickets in addition to the entry ticket to the festival.

 

For children

Childrens’ activities include fencing, and various arts and crafts. Children’s movies will also be screened such as Kirikou and the Sorceress.

 

Entrance to the festival costs $5.

 

Are you going to either one of these two festivals? For other ideas on celebrating Bastille Day look at the How to celebrate all things French for Bastille Day this weekend article.

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