Baguettes, berets and beef bourguignon! Yep, it's Bastille Day on July 14 and we know where all of the celebrations are going on...
Singapore is such a hub of different cultures and nationalities, that there always seems to be a fun celebration to take part in! Hari Raya festivities are all over for another year, and most of us have taken our summer vacations to family-friendly destinations already. So what’s up next on the calendar to celebrate? Well, 14th July = Bastille Day! So put on your berets, grab a baguette and get the low-down on where the fun is happening for French National Day in Singapore. Vive la France!
What is Bastille Day?
Bastille Day (or French National Day) commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison on 14 July 1789, which was part of the French Revolution that had started two days earlier. It also marks the unity of the French people, an occasion which has been celebrated with the Fête de la Fédération since 14 July 1790. It’s a day of festivities galore in France, and the perfect time to get together with friends and family to do what the fabulous French do best: eat fantastic food and drink delectable wines (berets optional)!
Bastille Day Celebrations in Singapore
With a large French community here in Singapore, we know where all the best French restaurants are at, so now we’ve found the creme de la creme of celebrations around the island where we can all wave our French flags on Bastille Day…
Celebrate all things French at Alliance Francaise de Singapour
Ooh la-la! Join in the fun with the Bastille Day celebrations at Alliance Française de Singapour. Snacks, drinks, quizzes and gifts will be part of this special occasion, and don’t forget to head to the French themed photo booth to strike a pose too! Admission is libre (free), and dress code is bleu, blanc et rouge (blue, white and blue!).
When: 16 July, 5.30pm to 7pm
Where: Alliance Francaise, Sarkies Road, Singapore
www.alliancefrancaise.org.sg
Indulge in food, wine and merriment at Napoleon Food & Wine Bar
If fabulous French fare washed down with French ciders and wines is your idea of the perfect evening, then head over to the Bastille Day celebrations at Napoleon Food & Wine Bar. Drinks will be served at the special rate of $12.50 all night, and for those of you who love a beef bourguignon and a charcuterie platter, these French delights are included on a three-course feast at $35++ per person.
When: 16 July, 6pm onwards
Where: Napoleon Food & Wine Bar, 206 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore
www.napoleon.sg
Try a French Apero at O Batignolles
The apéro is one of many food-related French traditions, and as it is SO French, there isn’t even an English translation for it! The best equivalent we can come up with using would perhaps be ‘afternoon tea’. But without the tea and generally in the early evening. Think wine and cheese! True francophiles can head to Parisian-style bistro, O Batignolles, for apéro offers on French wines (from $7 a glass), plus a cheese and cold cut French feast platter at $32, all set to French music: sounds tres bon to us!
When: 14 July, from 7pm
Where: O Batignolles, 2 Gemmill Lane, 069247
www.obatignolles.com
Hit the dance floor at O Comptoir
There’s a French party going on at O Comptoir, so put on your Louboutin dancing shoes, apply your Chanel lippie, and sling your Louis Vuitton over your shoulder before heading over for special offers on ciders, Ricard (the iconic French, anise-flavoured liqueur) and, of course, wine. Soak up the alcohol with cheese and cold cut platters at $32 and then show off your best moves on the dance floor where you can expect a French live band and a DJ.
When: 16 July from 8.30pm
Where: O Comptoir, 79 Circular Rd, 049433
www.facebook.com/events
Feast French-style at Bistro French Quays
Head over to Sentosa and make a reservation at Bistro French Quays where you should be prepared for Bastille Day gastronomic specials for the whole of July! The curated menu has been whipped up to include hand-selected French Wines to wash down delectable delights including navarin style slow braised lamb shoulder served with baked potato, carrot vichy, Mont’d’or cheese fondue, marinated beetroot, crusted comte, tomato confit and mixed greens. Come hungry!
When: The Bastille Special runs for the whole of July
Where: Bistro French Quays, 31 Ocean Way, #01-11 Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove, 098375
www.bistrofrenchquays.com.sg