10 FUN WAYS TO CELEBRATE BASTILLE DAY AT HOME

By Catherine Rush Thompson 

Bastille Day, the French national holiday celebrated annually on July 14th (le quatorze juillet), marks the birth of the French Republic.  This holiday is named after the Bastille fortress, an important symbol for the French Republican movement.  While the Bastille fortress, built in 1357, was originally designed to strategically keep invading armies from England out of Paris during the Hundred Years’ War, it evolved into an edifice for political prisoners in the 1700s.  Under the reign of King Louis XVI the French people were suffering from high taxes to cover his debt, food shortages, and limited representation in government. After many years of misrule by the Monarchy, the French people united to free the political prisoners and to rise against their government.  July 14, 1789, marks the date of the violent uprising that helped usher in the French Revolution.

Another symbol of the French Revolution is the tricolor flag, believed by some to represent the causes of the revolution: liberté (freedom/blue), égalité (equality/white), and fraternité (brotherhood/red).   
Prior to the French Revolution the French flag honored the Monarchy and featured the early coat of arms of the French kings in the early 1200s (a blue crest decorated with gold fleurs-de-lis) and the standard of the Bourbon family (a white backdrop with gold fleurs-de-lis).

​Bastille Day is celebrated all around the world. The National Geographic illustrates unique Bastille Day celebrations from St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands to Franschhoek, South Africa in its article, 9 Bastille Day bashes that celebrate French culture: Parades, fireworks, and food honor the historic holiday that shaped modern France - (https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/lists/seasonal/experience-french-culture-at-these-bastille-day-celebrations/). 

Whether you have French heritage, are a Francophile, or seek a unique way to enjoy French culture, here are 10 fun ways to celebrate this year’s Bastille Day from the comfort of your own home:

1. LEARN MORE ABOUT BASTILLE DAY: To better appreciate the context of Bastille Day in French history,  watch The French Revolution - Full History Documentary on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3AbMUQXft4. This documentary lasts about 1 and 1/2 hours and provides a detailed history of events leading to the French Revolution.  One viewer commented: “Very beautifully laid out documentary. It's brief yet rich in major details of what occurred.” 
2. READ WRITINGS BY THE PHILOSOPHERS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ENGLIGHTENMENT AND THE FRENCH REVOLUTION: French historians traditionally date the Enlightenment from 1715 to 1789 (from the death of Louis XIV of France until the outbreak of the French Revolution). This intellectual and philosophical movement provided the foundational concepts contributing to the French Revolution. Great philosophers contributing to Enlightenment included Voltaire (who critiqued the divine right of kings, religious dogma, superstition, the profligacy and corruption), Baron de Montesquieu (who developed and refined the idea of the separation of powers), Jean-Jacques Rousseau (who espoused “direct democracy” in which everyone’s votes helped shaped the law) and Denis Diderot (who believed “no man has received from nature the right of commanding others”).  Philosophers of this time valued reason, science, religious tolerance, and what they called “natural rights”—life, liberty, and property.
3. REFLECT ON THE TRICOLOR FRENCH FLAG: Reflect on the values symbolized by the French tricolor flag – freedom, equality, and brotherhood.  Consider other places in the world seeking these values in their countries. Hang the French flag to remind others of France’s struggle for democracy. French flags are readily available from a wide range of online vendors.
4. SET THE MOOD BY DRESSING IN FRENCH ATTIRE: Wear the stylish striped shirt (une marinière or un tricot rayé) worn by sailors in the French Navy. Consider donning un beret, a popular flat wool hat that's worn mainly in the Béarnaise countryside. Although traditionally black, the Basque region uses a red version. French attire can be purchased online.
5. ENJOY A FRENCH GAME IN THE OPEN AIR: Many French people actually keep their July 14th celebrations relatively low-key, taking advantage of the day off by enjoying a picnic and playing  pétanque, a game involving  tossing a metal ball toward a target ball.  Details of how to play this French game are shown at: How to play pétanque? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjmLFKlVHlk). For less than $50.00 at Overstock.com you can purchase a pétanque set that can also be used for bocce. 
6. INDULDGE IN FINE FRENCH CUISINE: Check if your favorite French restaurant offers carry-out food for Bastille Day. Options in the Kansas City area could include Aixois Bistro, Ça Va, Café Des Amis, Café Provence, Charisse, Chez Elle, Crepe KC, French Market, Ibis Bakery, Le Fou Frog, Le Monde Bakery , Tatsu’s French Restaurant, and Tous Les Jours.
7. PREPARE DELECTABLE FRENCH DISHES AT HOME: Check out Bon Appetit’s 23 Summery French Recipes for Bastille Day (https://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/slideshow/summer-french-recipes-bastille-day).  These recipes include traditional dishes as well as novel twists on French favorites, such as summer-tomato-bouillabaisse. Another site offers a delicious treat that involves classic ingredients: French caramelized onion, Gruyère or Fontina cheese, and French bread (https://www.foodiecrush.com/french-onion-cheese-bread/).  Délicieuse!
8. RAISE A CELEBRATORY GLASS:  Accompany your French meal with wine from your favorite region of France.  According to Vivino, the best French wines are from Bordeaux; however, champagne may be your toast of choice.  The free Vivino app provides a quick and easy rating of French wines and can be downloaded onto your iphone for easy access when purchasing wine.
9. INCLUDE LA MARSEILLAISE:  Listen to the French national anthem, La Marseillaise, sung by Michel Sardou. This video conveniently includes French lyrics for those interested in joining in (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd5rww9z_2g).
10. CELEBRATE WITH A BANG: Fireworks are typically displayed all over the France; however, one of the most spectacular displays is near Paris’ Eiffel Tower. You can watch last year’s grand fireworks display accompanied by music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdcLt0AJRqo). The cheering of the audience during this magnificent display makes you feel like you are actually there in person! Sit back and enjoy this 32-minute display.

Best Wishes for a Fun Bastille Day Celebration!

Additional Resources: 
French Revolution: https://www.history.com/topics/france/french-revolution
The Fascinating History Behind the French Flag: https://theculturetrip.com/europe/france/articles/fascinating-history-behind-french-flag/
14 Revolutionary Facts About Bastille Day: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/82401/14-revolutionary-facts-about-bastille-day
France's Striped Shirt and Beret: Origins of a Stereotype: https://www.thoughtco.com/french-striped-shirt-beret-origins-stereotype-1368581
Food Critics: The Best French Food In Kansas City: https://www.kcur.org/arts-life/2018-04-27/food-critics-the-best-french-food-in-kansas-city