This year the calendar is rather cruel, since most of the July 14th celebrations (known as Bastille Day here in America) are planned for Sunday, July 13th–the same day as the final game of the World Cup. No need to choose between the two, however. Bastille Day events will be held all week long, and many places will show the match on the big screen during Bastille Day celebrations.
Bastille Day Dancing
The traditional Bastille Day Ball will be held on July 11th at Club 404 starting at 6 pm. The Committee of French Speaking Societies (CAF) of New York has organized the event since 1924, with a recipe that has proven success: a DJ, music, elegance, and some good rosé.
Club 404, 404 10th Ave. New York, NY. Tickets starting at $30 here.
Bastille Day on 60th Street
It’s the major event of July 13th in New York. France takes over the neighborhood on 60th Street between Fifth Avenue and Lexington. A huge street party is organized there around FIAF (French Institute Alliance Française) from noon until 5 pm to showcase French specialties: cheese, wine, crêpes éclairs and beers among other delicious items. For the occasion, French cancan dancers will do several performances, and you can hear the chorus Les Petits Chanteurs de Monaco at 2 pm.
A big raffle will also be held with trips to France, to St. Barts, and to New Orleans as grand prizes. Tickets start at $5 and the winners will be announced at 4:45 pm the same day. If you can’t make it, don’t panic–the results will be posted online at Bastille Day on 60th St.
French Morning will also be there managing our stand, where you’ll have the opportunity to buy “Vivre New York,” a guide to the city published in collaboration with Le Point. Come by and say hello!
On Smith Street in Brooklyn
Each year, the “Little Paris” of Brooklyn (Carroll Gardens-Boerum Hill-Cobble Hill) becomes more and more “the other Bastille Day party” in New York. The theme? Pétanque. At two locations on July 13th:
–Bar Tabac will hold its annual tournament on July 13th. A grand affair, the organizers insist that it’s the biggest pétanque tournament in the world outside of France.” The street will be covered with sand for several blocks where the skilled pétanque players can show off their talent freely. The event, which attracts hundreds of participants each year and dozens of thousands of spectators, will screen the final game of the World Cup outside. Food stands and music will give this event its simple and fun character.
Bar Tabac, 128 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY. Register for the tournament by telephone at the restaurant: (701) 923-0918.
–Provence en boîte: Jean-Jacques and Leslie will also hold their pétanque tournament, more modest but just as nice. Here, you can also watch the final game of the World Cup. Register for the tournament as soon as possible in person at the restaurant.
Provence en boîte, 263 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY (Registration in person required, $30 per one team of two with one free glass of Ricard).
Films on the Green
On July 11th, the French film La Moustache will play in Riverside Park at 8:30 pm.
Films on the Green, Riverside Park Pier 1, 500 West 70th Street
More Pétanque
The French bistro Cercle Rouge (from the same group as Bar Tabac) will hold a more intimate pétanque tournament on July 11th. To participate, you must create a 3 person team. The registration fee is $45 per team, and registration is on site.
Cercle Rouge, 241 W Broadway
Edith Piaf
Those who are nostalgic for Edith Piaf can meet at Joe’s Pub on July 14th, where the French singer Floanne will cover the repertoire of the emblematic singer of the Hexagon.
Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10003. Tickets are $22 here.
A Guided Visit to North Manhattan
If you’ve never been to the Morris-Jumel Mansion, now is an excellent time to make up for it. For this special Bastille Day visit, the MAS (Municipal Art Society) is also planning a stop at the Eliza Jumel’s manor (the wife of the French wine merchant Stephen Jumel and New York socialite at the beginning of the 19th century) as well as Trinity Church Cemetery. The guide, Eric K. Washington, is an American francophone who specializes in the neighborhood.
July 13th, tickets are $20. Reserve your spot at the MAS website.
At the Table!
Don’t forget that Bastille Day is an occasion to fill your stomach with delicious foods that remind you of France. French Restaurant Week will take place July 7th through 14th. The participating French restaurants will offer menus at $17.89, $35-78, and $178.90. This year, the Roussillon wines will be showcased.
Antique French Cars Parade
A long line of cars and motorcycles will ride through New York on July 13th! The procession of 25 2 CV and Velosolex will leave Grant’s Tomb (122nd St and Riverside Drive) at 10 am. The cars will take a little tour around Manhattan before finally stopping at the street party near the Alliance Française where they will be available for public viewing.
More information here.
