Bastille Day Celebration Ideas
While most people in the United States see their annual 4th of July backyard barbecue as the penultimate summertime event, it could be a refreshing change of pace to add another important July event to your celebration roster. Celebrate Bastille Day on the 14th, a holiday that commemorates the storming of the Parisian Bastille prison. Incorporating elements of French culture into your event can make for a truly cross-cultural experience that is fun for the whole family.
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Decorations
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Set the atmosphere for your Bastille Day party with some French-inspired decorations. Start by displaying French patriotic colors, which happen to be the same red, white and blue seen in the American flag. Drape French flags over doorways, or use smaller mounted flags as table centerpieces. If you decide to go a more sophisticated route, decorate your party space to resemble a Parisian cafe. Set up small tables outside if the weather cooperates, and cover them with white or burgundy colored tablecloths. Mount vintage French posters or prints if you have a wall available.
Music
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Create a playlist to suit the mood of your Bastille Day party. You could go a variety of routes with your musical selection. To create a vintage feel, focus on tunes by famous French composers and musicians like Claude Debussy and Edith Piaf. If you want to play music that is a bit more upbeat and danceable but still vintage-sounding, look to the pop music stylings of the yé-yé girls of the sixties, like France Gall and Françoise Hardy. For modern, relaxed songs, think Yann Tiersen or Carla Bruni. If a dance-worthy, energizing playlist is what you have in mind, go with some songs by French electronic artists like Yelle, Daft Punk and Air.
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Films
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Screen a selection of French films for your party guests. If the party is to be hosted outside, consider setting up an outdoor screening area using a film projector and flat, white surface like a large sheet attached to a tall backyard fence or the side of the house. Select films that are age-appropriate for your guests. If young children are present, you may want to opt for a movie like Ratatouille that is family-friendly. For adult audiences, hits like Amélie or Jean-Luc Godard's French New Wave masterpieces might be good choices. You can also choose movies that are set in France, or that have French themes.
Food
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Serve delicious French-inspired food to keep your guests satisfied during the party. For a simple spread, go with a variety of French cheeses accompanied by grapes, crackers and fresh, crusty bread. Croissants with jam and ham and Brie finger sandwiches are also good options that can easily be prepared ahead of time. If you feel like getting really fancy, offer a do-it-yourself crepe bar. For dessert, offer crème brûlée or petits fours. No Bastille Day party would be complete without a glass of French wine, so be sure to have a few bottles on hand -- or, ask your guests to bring their favorite French varietal along with them. Serve grape juice in festive glasses for the kids.
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References
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