July 14 is Bastille Day, the anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille in 1789. This event was a major turning point in the French Revolution, and is a national holiday in France, where it’s referred to as la fête nationale. But even if you aren’t able to jet over to Paris to line up on the Champs-Élysées for the official festivities, you can still get in on the celebration. Raise your flute and wave the tricolor. Vive la France!
Prix-Fixe Dinner at Bastille Brasserie & Bar
From July 14 to 17, celebrate the French Revolution in Old Town with Bastille’s exclusive three-course prix-fixe menu. Start with options including escargots au pistou or Salade Niçoise, enjoy main courses like moules frites or magret aux pêches, and end on a sweet note with crème caramel or mousse au chocolat. There will also be coq-tails like Picon Punch and Kir Royal. The dinner is $49 per person, not including tax, gratuity, or beverages. 606 N. Fayette St., Alexandria
Bistro Sancerre
On July 14, the bistro in the heart of Old Town is offering a $29 three-course meal, featuring French onion soup, shrimp andouille pasta, and more. 1725 Duke St., Alexandria
Bastille Day Dinner with BRABO Brasserie and Catoctin Creek Distilling Company
On July 14 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the French restaurant in partnership with the Virginia craft distiller will offer a five-course chef’s tasting menu prepared by executive chef Ethan McKee with cocktail pairings. Tickets are $95 per person and are available via ExploreTock. 1600 King St., Alexandria
Vive La France! Friday Night Cheese Board at Cheesetique
The weekly cheese board offered on July 9 will be French-inspired, with dense, creamy blue Fourme d’Ambert, buttery and decadent Truffle d’Affinois, creamy and nutty Reblochon, mini honey, and a demi-baguette. The optional wine add-on, Louis Vialard “Le Pinot Noir de la Chapelle” 2020, comes from an area cultivated by Thomas Jefferson while ambassador to France, making it the perfect meeting point between 4th of July and Bastille Day. Once you have your kit, watch The Cheese Lady’s fun and informative video on Instagram. The kit costs $33 to $69, depending on options; wine is available for $18 more. Multiple locations
Bastille Day Penthouse Fête at La Vie
On July 14, the swanky spot at The Wharf will celebrate Bastille Day with Potomac views, French wines, Champagne, passed hors d’oeuvres, and live entertainment including mimes. The bar team will also be mixing up two original cocktails to mark the occasion. The French Eight-Eight mixes Hennessy VSOP Cognac with apple bitters, prosecco, apple syrup, and lemon, while La Vie Carréis stirs Cognac with falernum, Dolin Blanc vermouth, and Peychaud’s Bitters. Tickets are $49 each and can be purchased on Tock. 88 District Square SW, Washington, DC
Bastille Day at Le Diplomate
The buzzy bistro extends the celebration with two events tied to Bastille Day. It starts on July 11 with a festive family-friendly brunch starting at 9:30 a.m. featuring a face painter, balloon artist, and specials including merguez sandwich with piperade; baguette de pâté with berry jam, whole grain mustard and cornichons; and omelette ratatouille with chèvre. The second and more important day of celebration will take place on July 14 during dinner service. From 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., guests can expect live music from an accordion player, a roaming sketch artist who will be doing caricatures and interpreting the festivities onto a blank canvas, and French cocktails, along with the regular dinner menu. 1604 14th St. NW, Washington, DC
Annual Bastille Day Celebration at Opaline Bar & Brasserie
The Parisian-inspired bistro brings back Paris to Lafayette Square with their annual soirée, held on July 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Guests will enjoy à la carte French fare by executive chef Jonathan De Paz along with interaction libation stations, live French jazz by Bergamot Rose, and sculptures by French artist Helder Batista. Highlights include pâté de campagne, Dijon mustard and cornichons, salmon rillettes crêpes with lemon crème fraîche, mini bottles of Moet Brut, and snow cones with rum, tequila, or vodka. Reservations aren’t required and guests are welcome to bring their dog (French poodles especially welcome!) on the patio. 806 15th St. NW, Washington, DC
Savory Soirée, a Bastille Day Celebration at The Rectory on Princess Street
Mezzo soprano Elezebeth Barnes sings French songs accompanied by Aurelien Eulert on piano at two events on July 17, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Secret Garden of The Rectory. The celebration also includes a French-inspired feast of pommes duchesse, cast-iron king salmon, and mille crêpes, paired with Champagnes and French wine to go with the songs and arias by Jules Massenet, Claude Debussy, Georges Bizet, Pauline Viardot, Nadia Boulanger, Francis Poulenc, and Gabriel Fauré. Tickets cost $149 per person. 711 Princess St., Alexandria
Feature image courtesy Le Diplomate
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