What the French Really Eat on Bastille Day (Fête Nationale)

What do the French really eat on Bastille Day? Not usually blue macarons or Eiffel Tower cupcakes. On 14 July - le quatorze juillet, or la Fête Nationale - the food is much more relaxed: a market roast chicken, summer salads, a tart, a picnic and something chilled to drink.

There's no official Bastille Day dish or traditional menu. The day is shaped more by the celebrations: the military parade on the Champs-Élysées, bals des pompiers at local fire stations, music and fireworks - with simple, seasonal French food fitted in between.

Below you'll find plenty of French food ideas for 14 July, from breakfast and a light summer lunch to apéritif nibbles, classic mains and make-ahead desserts.

Bastille Day or Fête Nationale? (Spoiler: It's Not What You Think)

In France, we don't usually say "Bastille Day". We call it le 14 juillet or la Fête Nationale. The date carries two histories: the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789 and la Fête de la Fédération on 14 July 1790, which celebrated national unity.

The 14th of July became France's national holiday in 1880. In everyday life, though, it's less about revolutionary history and more about a day off, watching the morning parade (live or on TV), gathering with friends and family, and enjoying summer.

Firemen's Balls on 13 and 14 July

One tradition visitors don't always know about is the bal des pompiers. On 13 July - and in some places on the 14th - local fire stations open their doors for popular neighbourhood parties with music and dancing that can continue well into the night.

I confess that after all these years in France, I've still never been to one. Perhaps I've been buying the wrong fire brigade calendar: mine always features the trucks, not the trunks.

Want to Add Some Tricolour Fun?

Now, if you're celebrating abroad and want to go all-out with a French tricouleur flag colour theme, go for it! I've seen some super French pennant flags, string flags and even a Vive-la-France garden flag for your party decoration - plus tricolour tableware party sets.

For a playful patriotic touch, try berries for red and blue (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries) and cream, white chocolate mousse, or vanilla custard for the white. Or add blackberries and berry compote to this French ice cream cake.

Bastille Day French Breakfast & Brunch Ideas

Start the day like many French families: with something sweet - or even better, seasonal. Check out more breakfast recipes.

• Fluffy brioche à tête -"Let them eat brioche", anyone?
• French pancakes (crêpes) - With lemon & sugar, apricot jam or rhubarb compote
• Pain perdu (French toast) - use leftover brioche or bread. Normally for dessert.
• Blueberry and lemon clafoutis - Ideal for a red-white-blue berry mix or go classic with a Cherry Clafoutis.
• Croque Monsieur - the easiest, ultimate cheesy café-style brunch or light lunch.

14th July French Lunch Menu

After watching the military parade, make a light Bastille Day lunch. Think light, summery, and market-fresh - perfect for a terrace lunch or picnic.
See more light lunches.

• Authentic Niçoise Salad - No green beans or potatoes, just the real deal from Nice
• French Tomato Tart - With Dijon mustard, best served warm or at room temp
• Warm Goat's Cheese Salad (salade de chèvre chaud) with or without bacon
• Savoury buckwheat crêpes (Galettes des Sarrasin) - classic French galette complète with ham, cheese & an egg with a simple green salad
• Corsican mint omelette - light and refreshing with a French potato salad
• Whole Baked Sea Bass with Lemon - Simple, summery showstopper

Sweet Treats for 'Le Goûter' (Official Afternoon Snack)

The French don't snack... except when they do. Around 4pm, it's perfectly acceptable - encouraged, even - to pause for a little something sweet. Known as le goûter, it's the official excuse for biscuits, cakes, or a square of chocolate with tea, coffee or juice. Vive la pause. More in my daughter's post, How to Eat Like the French.

• Marianne Biscoff cookies. Make your own French Republic with these revolutionary biscuit faces - see the end of the post! (The Marianne is the national personification of the French republic: a symbol of liberty since the French revolution).
• French Butter Cookies (Palets Bretons) - Salted, thick, and satisfying - especially topped with pistachio pastry cream and strawberries.
• Canelés de Bordeaux - Caramelised outside, soft vanilla rum custard inside. No beeswax needed
• French hot chocolate, the real deal, just like the ones you queue for in Paris!
• Financiers - Little almond cakes shaped like gold bars, originally from around Paris's stock exchange (Bourse)
• For the ultimate Parisian treat, make some raspberry macarons.

Apéritif and Party Nibbles

No Fête Nationale is complete without a festive apéro to get things started. Check out more apéritif (drinks and nibbles) before your French meal.

• French Kir Royal, Champagne (or Crémant) + crème de cassis
• French 75 cocktail - Bubbly with a kick
• Candied Cherry Tomatoes - Dipped in salted caramel and rolled in seeds
• Poichichade (Provençal Chickpea Dip), The French answer to hummous.
• Radishes with Salted Butter & Baguette - Classic, simple and so French.

French Starters and Appetizers

Kick off your Bastille Day dinner with a little something to whet the appetite. A couple of historical, silky soups, these French entrées set the tone - without weighing you down before the main event. See many more French starters/appetizers.

• Crème Dubarry (Cauliflower Cream Soup) - Elegant and light, created for Madame du Barry, Louis XV's favourite
• Potage Saint Germain (Fresh Pea Soup) is the best pea soup ever! Named after the pea-loving Count Saint-Germain. Cheating with frozen or split peas is acceptable!

French Mains for Bastille Day Dinner

Whether you're dining indoors or out, these are perfect for a summer fête.

• Roast chicken with Gratin Dauphinois - Pick it up from the market and serve warm or cold
• Tian de Légumes with grilled or BBQ meat
• Lotte à L'Américaine If you prefer fish, then there's a 'lotte' of choice!
• Whole Baked Sea Bream - Provençal style, stuffed with herbs & lemon
• Blanquette de Veau - Creamy French veal stew, a family favourite with Basmati rice
• Coq au Vin - Rich and comforting, ideal if it's cooler.
  Did you know? Le Coq Gaulois (Gallic Rooster) is one of the national symbols in France and decorated the French flag during the Revolution!

French Desserts to End on a Sweet Note

You didn't think we'd forget dessert, did you? Here are 8 chilled, make-ahead favourites for your Bastille Day menu.

• Peach Melba - A July classic of poached peaches, raspberries & ice cream
• Blueberry Tart - with pâte sucrée and fresh berries
• Bourdaloue Almond Pear Tart - filled with pears and almond cream
• French tarte au citron - Lemon tart with a hint of lime
• French Chocolate Mousse - no cream, reduced sugar, pure bliss
• Berry Trifle with Macarons - my gluten free Bastille Rifle, not trifle...
• Vacherin glacé. This French iced celebration cake is easy to prepare in advance
• Crème Caramel - Lighter and cream-free, the silky Parisian classic found in so many bistros. This one's my signature - and the most popular dessert here.

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