Happy Bastille Day!
Happy Bastille Day! This day commemorates the Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, a turning point of the French Revolution and the unity of the French people one year later.
In America, we take pride in our alliance with France and celebrate this piece of French culture with festivals, street fairs, and croissant brunches!
Since 7th grade French class I’ve always had an affinity for all things French. When I finally visited France for the first time 4 years ago, I was hooked. I love the culture, the fashion, the food and everything else about Paris, The Cote d’Azur and even the Loire Valley. So, in honor of Bastille Day, I’m rounding up some of the lesser known ways to get your French fix in NYC!
Bastille Day in Brooklyn
Check out The Smith Street Provence Festival in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn in honor of Bastille Day Festival this Sunday, July 15 from 10-8 pm. There will be French fare, drinks, and live music- all things we love about street festivals!
Bar Tabac, who is sponsoring the event, is a great little French bar that feels really authentic. The bartenders and waitstaff are French and they even have French T.V playing at the bar. So if you’re ever craving a little bit of Paris (which I always am) check out Bar Tabac for a Kronenburg and some escargots the next time you find yourself in Brooklyn.
An added bonus: France is in the world cup!! So enjoy the game here, but make sure you get there early for a good spot!!
Oui Oui, Bien Cuit
Another gem located in Cobble Hill is Bien Cuit. This specialty bakery makes all of their bread in small batches, shapes it by hand, and bakes it right in their store in Brooklyn.
Bien Cuit’s selection is so good!
**The Daily Croissant tip (and Bien Cuit’s best kept secret!) : Now you don’t have to trek all the way to Brooklyn for the best baguette. Find their little outpost right in Grand Central Market! Try the delectable croissants and other pastries like the apple cardamom danish.
Francais sur le Upper East Side
The Upper East Side is rich in French culture and is home to the French consulate, French Institute Alliance and so much more.
Grabbing a coffee to gear up for the day!
I rarely spend time on the Upper East Side. Let’s face it, I’m not Serena Van Der Woodson. And quite frankly, I much prefer the West Side! But, I recently discovered the FIAF: French Institute Alliance Francaise and all they have to offer!
Outside of Albertine
If you’re looking to add a little French culture to your life, check it out. There’s a photo gallery featuring Raymond Depardon’s work, French language classes, First Tuesdays where you can mingle with other francophiles and french speakers for wine and conversation, as well as French cinema.
Inside the library at FIAF
I love a good bookstore
Further uptown, you’ll find the French bookstore, Albertine. This quaint and quiet bookstore offers a few couches and chairs for for you to stay a while and enjoy both French and American titles. Pop in for a peaceful afternoon of admiring the beautiful art books or taking a break from the heat and get some work done. 
Place aux Femmes= Place for women! by Gallimard Loisirs
Free films on the Green
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Films on the Green, the free outdoor French film festival produced annually in New York City parks by the French Embassy, FACE Foundation and NYC Parks. Check out a showing before it ends on September 7. Schedule here.
More events here!
Have a very happy Bastille Day! Let us know about any fun festivities you’re partaking in this weekend in the comments below or on our Instagram page.
Bisous xoxo
Ashley
