What the French Really Eat on Bastille Day (Fête Nationale)

Think the French go all-out with tricolour-themed food on 14 July? You’d be forgiven for picturing Eiffel Tower cupcakes and blue macarons - but the reality is far more relaxed. In France, la Fête Nationale isn’t about themed menus or over-the-top displays. It’s simply a day to enjoy good French food, friends, music and fireworks.

There’s no official dish or traditional meal. Instead, the day revolves around two main events:

• the military parade on the Champs-Élysées in the morning
• and the concert and fireworks at the Eiffel Tower in the evening.

In between, we eat - but without ceremony. From roasted chickens picked up at the market to fresh summer tarts and a good glass of wine, it’s all about celebrating the season and keeping things deliciously simple.

Bastille Day or Fête Nationale? (Spoiler: It's Not What You Think)

In France, we don’t say Bastille Day - in French it's le quatorze juillet (le 14 juillet) or simply la Fête Nationale. You'll rarely hear the French talking about “la prise de la Bastille” over a café crème, apart from history class (here's a great source at History.com on the story of the Bastille).

Since becoming a public holiday in 1880, the 14th July has commemorated the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, which sparked the French Revolution. But in real life, it’s less about storming and more about slowing down - a day off to enjoy what we do best: bien manger. So enjoy these 30 French recipes below or check out even more picnic recipes.

Want to Add Some Tricolour Fun?

Now, if you’re celebrating abroad and want to go all-out with a French tricouleur flag colour theme, go for it! I've seen some super French pennant flags, string flags and even a Vive-la-France garden flag for your party decoration - plus tricolour tableware party sets.

For a playful patriotic touch, try berries for red and blue (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries) and cream, white chocolate mousse, or vanilla custard for the white. Or add blackberries and berry compote to this French ice cream cake.

Bastille Day French Breakfast & Brunch Ideas

Start the day like many French families: with something sweet - or even better, seasonal. Check out more breakfast recipes.

• Fluffy brioche à tête -"Let them eat brioche", anyone?
• French pancakes (crêpes) - With lemon & sugar, apricot jam or rhubarb compote
• Pain perdu (French toast) - use leftover brioche or bread. Normally for dessert.
• Blueberry and lemon clafoutis - Ideal for a red-white-blue berry mix or go classic with a Cherry Clafoutis.
• Croque Monsieur - the easiest, ultimate cheesy café-style brunch or light lunch.

14th July French Lunch Menu

After watching the military parade, make a light Bastille Day lunch. Think light, summery, and market-fresh - perfect for a terrace lunch or picnic.
See more light lunches.

• Authentic Niçoise Salad - No green beans or potatoes, just the real deal from Nice
• French Tomato Tart - With Dijon mustard, best served warm or at room temp
• Warm Goat's Cheese Salad (salade de chèvre chaud) with or without bacon
• Savoury buckwheat crêpes (Galettes des Sarrasin) - classic French galette complète with ham, cheese & an egg with a simple green salad
• Corsican mint omelette - light and refreshing with a French potato salad
• Whole Baked Sea Bass with Lemon - Simple, summery showstopper

Sweet Treats for 'Le Goûter' (Official Afternoon Snack)

The French don’t snack... except when they do. Around 4pm, it’s perfectly acceptable - encouraged, even - to pause for a little something sweet. Known as le goûter, it’s the official excuse for biscuits, cakes, or a square of chocolate with tea, coffee or juice. Vive la pause. More in my daughter's post, How to Eat Like the French.

• Marianne Biscoff cookies. Make your own French Republic with these revolutionary biscuit faces - see the end of the post! (The Marianne is the national personification of the French republic: a symbol of liberty since the French revolution).
• French Butter Cookies (Palets Bretons) - Salted, thick, and satisfying - especially topped with pistachio pastry cream and strawberries.
• Canelés de Bordeaux - Caramelised outside, soft vanilla rum custard inside. No beeswax needed
• French hot chocolate, the real deal, just like the ones you queue for in Paris!
• Financiers - Little almond cakes shaped like gold bars, originally from around Paris’s stock exchange (Bourse)
• For the ultimate Parisian treat, make some raspberry macarons.

Apéritif and Party Nibbles

No Fête Nationale is complete without a festive apéro to get things started. Check out more apéritif (drinks and nibbles) before your French meal.

• French Kir Royal, Champagne (or Crémant) + crème de cassis
• French 75 cocktail - Bubbly with a kick
• Candied Cherry Tomatoes - Dipped in salted caramel and rolled in seeds
• Poichichade (Provençal Chickpea Dip), The French answer to hummous.
• Radishes with Salted Butter & Baguette - Classic, simple and so French.

French Starters and Appetizers

Kick off your Bastille Day dinner with a little something to whet the appetite. A couple of historical, silky soups, these French entrées set the tone - without weighing you down before the main event. See many more French starters/appetizers.

• Crème Dubarry (Cauliflower Cream Soup) - Elegant and light, created for Madame du Barry, Louis XV’s favourite
• Potage Saint Germain (Fresh Pea Soup) is the best pea soup ever! Named after the pea-loving Count Saint-Germain. Cheating with frozen or split peas is acceptable!

French Mains for Bastille Day Dinner

Whether you're dining indoors or out, these are perfect for a summer fête.

• Roast chicken with Gratin Dauphinois - Pick it up from the market and serve warm or cold
• Tian de Légumes with grilled or BBQ meat
• Lotte à L'Américaine If you prefer fish, then there's a 'lotte' of choice!
• Whole Baked Sea Bream – Provençal style, stuffed with herbs & lemon
• Blanquette de Veau - Creamy French veal stew, a family favourite with Basmati rice
• Coq au Vin - Rich and comforting, ideal if it’s cooler.
  Did you know? Le Coq Gaulois (Gallic Rooster) is one of the national symbols in France and decorated the French flag during the Revolution!

French Desserts to End on a Sweet Note

You didn’t think we’d forget dessert, did you? Here are 8 chilled, make-ahead favourites for your Bastille Day menu.

• Peach Melba - A July classic of poached peaches, raspberries & ice cream
• Blueberry Tart - with pâte sucrée and fresh berries
• Bourdaloue Almond Pear Tart - filled with pears and almond cream
• French tarte au citron - Lemon tart with a hint of lime
• French Chocolate Mousse - no cream, reduced sugar, pure bliss
• Berry Trifle with Macarons - my gluten free Bastille Rifle, not trifle...
• Vacherin glacé. This French iced celebration cake is easy to prepare in advance
• Crème Caramel - Lighter and cream-free, the silky Parisian classic found in so many bistros. This one’s my signature - and the most popular dessert here.

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