Rise up Seattle! Join the Parté for Bastille Day!
Just when you thought all your red, white and blue patriotism was over for the year, our American, melting-pot culture throws another holiday your way–Bastille Day. I’ve driven past the Bastille Day celebration announcement on the Seattle Center reader board every day this week and have seen ads for events around the city, but what exactly does Bastille Day mean for the French? I’m quick to partake in the World’s drinking holidays–St. Patrick’s Day and Cinco de Mayo have far surpassed my love for Christmas and Thanksgiving–but do we really ever know the history or meaning behind these celebrations, other than it’s a great excuse to party? So, I did some research for Metblog readers, and here’s what I’ve discovered:
- Bastille Day (Fete Nationale) is the French national holiday, celebrated each year on July 14th.
- It commemorates the 1790 Fete de la Federation, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on July 14th, 1789.
- The storming of the Bastille marked the beginning of the French Revolution.
- The Bastille was a prison and a symbol of the absolute and arbitrary power of Louis the 16th’s Ancient Regime. By capturing this symbol, the people signaled that the king’s power was no longer absolute, and power should be based on the nation. Bastille Day marks the end of monarchy and the beginning of the French Revolution.
- The Revolution lead to the tricolor flag of blue, red and white. Blue and red are the colors of Paris, and white is the color of royalty. The three colors represent the Republic’s three ideals.
- Bastille day gave birth to France’s motto of ‘Liberté! Egalité! Fraternité!’
- Bastille is an alternate spelling of bastide, which means fortification.
Okay, now that you’ve had your history lesson go party!:
Seattle Center’s Bastille Day Celebration: Includes a Tour de France exhibit, Citroen car show and a penalty kick soccer tournament for kids. Eight different bands and musicians will perform French music on two stages, and Le Bistrot de la Bastille will serve crepes, sandwiches and wine. Sunday, July 15th, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free.
Bal des Pompiers (Firemen’s ball): The Consular Agency of France and the French American Chamber of Commerce invite you to a four-course dinner and dancing fete. Dinner will be prepared by Seattle’s French Chef, Thierry Rautureau, and live French music and dancing will follow. Fisher Pavilion, Saturday, July 14th, 6 p.m. to midnight. $49 per person, reservations required.
Café Campagne: Fourth annual People’s Party in the Alley will include all-day drinking and celebrating, rain or shine, with live French music, $5 glasses of wine and $5 French treats (Brie baguette, jambon et fromage and pomme frites) in Post Alley. Saturday, July 14th, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Entre Nous: A new addition to Seattle’s French scene, Entre Nous is hosting a party with French trivia, prizes, food, music and half-off bottles of wine. Entre Nous, 216 Stewart St., Seattle.
Maximilien, Voila! Bistro, Le Pichet and Saint Germain all are hosting Bastille Day celebrations as well, including special dinner menus, music and/or dancing.
Beerstile Day: Okay, so most of us probably aren’t really French. So, why not screw the fancy cheeses and wine, and just drink beer! Phinney Neighborhood Association is hosting an all-day beer tasting at the Phinney Neighborhood Center, featuring 20 local breweries. Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave N., Seattle. Saturday, July 14th, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. $25
“The Bastille was a prison and a symbol of the absolute and arbitrary power of Louis the 16th’s Ancient Regime. By capturing this symbol, the people signaled that the king’s power was no longer absolute, and power should be based on the nation. Bastille Day marks the end of monarchy and the beginning of the French Revolution.”
Hmm. It sounds like the prison at Guantanamo. Anyone up for a storming? French wine and the end of the Bush Monarchy sounds like a great combination.
I went to a few of the Fete Nationale celebrations around town. Cafe Campagne’s party was awful. $5 for tiny, un-authentic sandwiches (nevermind you can get incredible French-inspired Bahn Mi at Baguette Box for under $5–and three times the size). No French chef–or citizen—would ever consider placing a thick horseradish sauce with brie and sliced apple on a baguette. It was gross. Honey on cheese served with stale baguette? Shudder. It was like people from Texas were throwing a Fete Nationale party.
Maximilien was MUCH, much better. They had an incredible menu, and live music. Even better, they have a new deck!
I was sort of disappointed that I didn’t make it to Cafe Campagne for the celebration, so your review makes me feel better. Oh, how I do love and crave Brie cheese and crepes though.
Good to hear about Maximilien’s new patio. I’m always in search for the next great outdoor dining destination in Seattle. Thanks Sarah!
I believe you cannot fully describe the history of any revolution without mention of its key martyr, Jean Paul Marat, although after the fact. You know you’re somebody when ‘The Man’ sends a woman to kill you on the eve of the fourth anniversary.
http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/his/CoreArt/art/neocl_dav_marat.html
Many speculate the true genesis of the Revolution, based around the core issue of sustenance, was caused itself by the snobbish farmers in the fields refusing to plant readily available potato crops, claiming it was beneath them to emulate the Northern Europeans. Stupid French!