Tricolor flags, French music, and menus in the colors of France: Florida is getting into the spirit of Bastille Day. From Miami to Tallahassee, and all along the west coast, organizations, restaurants, and institutions are celebrating la Fête Nationale with dance parties, dinners, tastings, and cultural events. Here’s where to find a little bit of France under the palm trees.
Miami
The Alliance Française Miami Metro will kick things off with an “AFter Work” event, held on Tuesday, July 14, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm at its Downtown Miami location. French speakers and lovers of Voltaire’s language can enjoy a drink, meet new people, and practice their French in a relaxed atmosphere. 100 Biscayne Blvd, Miami – (305) 417-6243 – Info here.
Just a few minutes away, the atmosphere will be even more spectacular. As it has every year for over a decade, the event company French & Famous—co-founded by Frenchman Éric Even—will orchestrate a celebration that’s as chic as it is exuberant at Joia Beach on Watson Island. From 7 pm to 1 am, French DJs, artistic performances, barbecue, and pétanque games will liven up this setting on the shores of Biscayne Bay. Wearing blue, white, and red is highly recommended. 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami – (786) 273-8600 – Info here.
Also in Miami, but with an atmosphere more reminiscent of a bal musette, Pastis will celebrate Bastille Day in the Wynwood neighborhood. On Tuesday, July 14, starting at 7 pm, this Parisian-style brasserie will host Vincent Raffard, a well-known figure on the local music scene. Nicknamed “the man in the red hat,” the French singer and multi-instrumentalist will perform with The French Horn Collective—his band, soon to be renamed The French Swing Collective—for a dance party blending java and Latin rhythms. 380 NW 26th Street, Miami – (305) 686-3050 – Info here.
Boca Raton
That same evening, music lovers can also head to Boca Raton, where the restaurant Chez Marie French Bistro will host singer Thierry Khalfa starting at 5 pm, who will perform the great classics of French chanson with panache. 5030 Champion Blvd, Boca Raton – (561) 997-0027 – Info here.
Boynton Beach
A little further north, in Boynton Beach, South Florida PBS, the leading public television group in South Florida, will offer an immersive journey into the Napoleonic era. Scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, from 5 pm to 8 pm at the WXEL studios, the evening will combine champagne, crêpes, and French delicacies with high-tech entertainment. Attendees will be able to interact with a hologram of Napoleon Bonaparte, view a sword from the Imperial Guard and a replica of one of Empress Josephine’s dresses, or even take home a portrait created using artificial intelligence. 3401 S Congress Avenue, Boynton Beach – Info here.
Orlando
Orlando’s biggest Bastille Day event is scheduled for Thursday, July 16. Starting at 6 pm, the French American Business Council of Orlando (FABCO) and the Alliance Française of Greater Orlando will bring together the city’s French-speaking and Francophile community at the Citrus Club, located on the 18th floor of a downtown tower. The evening, featuring views of the city, will include cocktails and networking opportunities. 255 S Orange Ave, Orlando – (855) 500-0819 – Info here.
Tampa
French patriotism will also be in the spotlight in the Tampa Bay area. On Friday, July 10, from 6 pm to 9 pm, the French American Business Council of West Florida (FRAMCO) will mark the occasion at SOFWERX, a technology innovation center affiliated with the U.S. Special Forces, in the historic Ybor City neighborhood. Organized in collaboration with several local organizations and partners, the evening will combine professional networking, music, and a celebration of French culture. 1925 E 2nd Ave, Tampa – (855) 500-0819 – Info here.
Indian Shores
The Cercle Français de Tampa Bay, for its part, will get a head start on the holiday schedule. On Sunday, July 12, starting at 4 pm, the association will invite its members to a dinner at Voilà-Merci. Participants are encouraged to wear blue, white, and red, while accordionist Éric Zawalich will lend the evening a guinguette atmosphere. 19525 Gulf Blvd, Indian Shores – (727) 543-6986 – Info here.
Sarasota
On the same day, the Alliance Française de Sarasota will also celebrate la Fête Nationale two days early at Sahib Shriners. Starting at 5 pm, attendees will enjoy an aperitif followed by a French-inspired buffet before hitting the dance floor. An auction will also be held to support the association’s cultural and educational activities. 600 N Beneva Rd, Sarasota – (941) 955-0700 – Info here.
Bonita Springs
Here’s another great opportunity for French speakers to get together and raise a glass to France: in Bonita Springs on Thursday, July 16, from 5:30 pm to 7 pm, Vichino’s Cafe & Wine Bar will host a wine tasting featuring several vintages and wine regions from France. Pretzels and a charcuterie platter will accompany this exploration of the different styles that make up the French wine landscape. 25987 S Tamiami Trl, Bonita Springs – (239) 317-2146 – Info here.
Tallahassee
In the state capital, the Florida Historic Capitol Museum will explore the ties between France and the young American Republic. On Tuesday, July 14, from 10 am to noon, a reading tour based on the book Revolutionary Friends: General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette will explore the friendship between these two figures of the War of Independence. Hands-on activities will round out this free morning event, designed for children ages 5 to 12 but open to everyone. 400 S Monroe St, Tallahassee – (850) 487-1902 – Info here.
This article was originally published in French on French Morning. It appears here in translation.
