Celebrate Bastille Day
July 14th is the French national holiday, la Fête du 14 juillet. It commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, an open act of rebellion against the monarchy that is considered a turning point of the French Revolution. Two days after the storming of the Bastille, the king officially recognized the tricolor flag--the blue, white and red said to symbolize liberty, equality and brotherhood.
Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité
And Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner: cook up a feast worthy of King Louis XVI but attainable to everyone! After the Revolution, chefs--who had cooked for the nobility--found themselves out of work. They were forced to open public restaurants, the fine art of dining was born, and the world has never looked back. (See Revolution and the Restaurant for an in-depth look at restaurant history.)
Start the day off right with crêpes, both savory and sweet, and café au lait, coffee with hot milk.
For lunch or a light supper, try Quiche Alsacienne (the traditional Quiche Lorraine with onion) with a green salad and dry white wine, such as an Alsatian Riesling. Or make simple, classic sandwiches: crusty baguettes spread with sweet butter and thinly sliced ham.
For tips on shaping and baking baguettes and other French breads, see our Advice articles.
Bon Appétit
Start dinner off with a clear hot soup, like consommé or onion, or a rich cold soup such as vichyssoise. (Although an American invention, it was created by a French chef: perfect for an multicultural Bastille Day celebration.) A main-dish salad can complete the meal--and ensures everyone saves room for dessert!
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