Bastille Day July 14th!

Bastille Day is the French national holiday, celebrated every year on July 14th. In France, it is called Fête Nationale ("National Celebration") in official parlance, or more commonly le quatorze juillet ("14 July"). It commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789; the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern nation. (Taken from Wiki)

Two days ago, we had the opportunity to celebrate the French national holiday, Bastille Day. My hubby said he was surprised I wasn’t in mourning considering that it was the beginning of the end for the French Monarchy, especially for my royal favorite Marie Antoinette.

I told him Marie would understand and would want me to have a good time. We celebrated at Costeaux French Bakery. This is one of my very favorite places to visit and they did a wonderful job of putting on a fantastique Bastille Day celebration.

I took some fun photos for you below. Enjoy!




I loved this purple hair!



When we walked in, the place was bustling and alive with energy. The beautiful French flag hung above our heads.



Now here is some awesome eye candy!






No French celebration would be complete without the Eiffel Tower . . .



Wonderful decor . . .



Can Can dancers . . . .



And of course a fencing demonstration!



We ordered the chaqueterie board. It came with pate, prosciutto, cheese, olives, dill baby pickles, bread and this TDF mustard.




Then it was on to their sampler of profiterole (cream puffs) and a mini eclair.



After this it was time for the Let Them Eat Cake with Marie Antoinette. (I have to say that history has maligned this beautiful woman. She actually never said this.)


As you can see from Marie's expression, she was very concerned about her jewelry and what would happen to it when they took her away.




I hope you enjoyed the Bastille Day celebration. I'll be back soon with shoes and to visit with you all.

Have a beautiful day!

30 comments:

LiLi M. said...

Bonjour Nancy! C'était une belle journeé, le quatorze Juillet chez vous! Mmmm this is true eye candy. I wrote this in all 14th of July posts this week (which were all American but one (French): We over here celebrate our Queens day big, drumbands everywhere, parades, flea markets, fire works. I think something like your 4th of July plus the flea markets. So when I was in rural France le quatorze Juillet I expected really something. NOPE, Wrong, nothing at all. Perhaps they were all having their charcuterie and their profiterolles inside...But I'm pleased to see that you had a wonderful day! Hope today is just as good or even better!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Bonjour chèrie! Quelle belle fête! Tu t'es bien amusée? Je suis contente que tu sois revenue; tu m'as manqué terriblement. J'espère que tout va bien chez toi. Ton frère est en Afrique du Sud maintenant; il sera de retour le 28 juillet. Je t'embrasse...Anita

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

What a fun Bastille Day for you, Nancy. I especially like the Tour de France part - perfect way to work off those profiteroles, non?

Barbara said...

Once again you have beautiful photos! What a fun event!

Unknown said...

It sounds like a wonderful day and a fun way to celebrate with our French friends! Thank you for teaching me a little bit of French history! :)

Beneath the Eaves said...

Thank you for taking us along. I drooled over the food. If people read the full story of this women, they may have felt sorry for the life she given. Like so many of her time, she did not choose it. She was a child and it was chosen for her. If we only had time in her "shoes".I could not agree more Nancy with your feelings.

LindaSonia said...

How fun!! the food looks yummy!! LindaSonia

LW said...

What a wonderful celebration.

Cream puffs and éclairs are my two favorite foods in the world.
Notice I said foods because I could make a meal of them…I know oink, oink.

And I am happy to see that you mentioned that Marie never said that CAKE thing, I cringe each time I hear it now…

I also want to congratulate you on your FULL class at the castle…what lucky apprentices to have you as their tutor.


Looking forward to the new cobblers wares…

Louise

Anonymous said...

I also really like the Tour de France picture - complete with yellow jersey and all! Did you ask him to pose?

Although I do have to confess that the profiteroles did make me drool just a bit.

Love ya,
Wendy

lorhen82 said...

What a fun celebration. Those pastries look scrumptious!

shiborigirl said...

Hey Nancy,

I'm wiping my chin, 'cuz I'm in a serious *drool* over that lunch board of yours!

I've always felt sorry for Marie, once I researched her for a class project in college. I think she was the first public figure to suffer from a negative PR campaign... Poor girl.

Hugs,

Kate

lorhen82 said...

Nancy, I just blogged about this post and linked back to it. You can see it here. I hope you don't mind that I included a couple of your photos! I should have asked first...sorry! If you object, I'll remove them.

Hugs,
Lori

Jdee said...

I felt like I was right there with you! Any all that beautiful food! Oh My!
Thank you for sharing your day with us!
xoxo

Lori said...

Nancy, what a fun celebration to attend...your pictures are amazing...i love that purple wig too...the can can dancers look so pretty...i love their costumes...oh, and the food...well, it all looks so delicious...i think i gained five pounds just looking at the pics...thanks for taking us along for the ride!!!

Michelle said...

What a great celebration and the costumes, wow! I love the lavender hair and what a tease..showing me all those sweets and I can't reach through this screen and have some!! I hope you enjoyed some for me. :)

The Victorian Parlor said...

What fun! I'll take one of each of the pastries:). It looks like a beautiful celebration. Thanks for sharing!

Blessings,

Kim

Sandy said...

Too fun! It looks like you had a wonderful time. We have no such celebrations here our biggest one celebrates, well, a toad! I think yours is much more glam ;c)

Elaine said...

Looks like you and your husband had a wonderful Bastille Day. Here in Boston not too much going on. Although there's always a celebration at the French Library,
a street party among other things.
One day I'll get there!

Unknown said...

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June said...

Thank you for taking me along to this wonderful celebration!
Smiles,
June

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

I just gained 10 lbs just looking at this blog...LOL. But Isure enjoyed the visit.What a wonderful time everyone was having.Poor Marie.She was so misunderstood.Speaking of Marie Antoinette...I want to show you something.But in an email.I'll try and send you one out about sunday.What I'm going to show you I will not be posting...curious yet? XXOO Marie Antionette

starrynightimpressions said...

Loveeee this post! Makes me miss my fav city of lights, Paris.
I agree with you all regarding Marie.
Here's a quote from her that I love
"It is in misfortune that you realize your true nature".
Merci Nancy for the lovely words.
starrydeborah

NeereAnDear said...

Mouth is watering as I look through the glass at the wonderful goodies... Alas your platter of pate ...bread and other delicacies... catch my eye and my stomach.... oh be still my heart...... from there its perfect pastires to end a lovel meal ...

Thank you for taking us on an oh so fun excursion with you

LOTS OF HUGS
JO

The Wrought Iron Gate said...

What a fun celebration! Very reminiscent of the place where my daughter and her husband met.....he had just moved back to the U.S., after living and teaching in France for several years. After they married, they lived in Montreal for a while. Like France, Montreal captured my heart.

Thank you for sharing your lovely day.

Best Wishes,
Kay

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Ma chère belle soeur,
Thanks for visiting Nancy! Oh how I miss Ruben, but I have accomplished a lot. I am however, stuck on chapter 1 and I only have one more week to turn it in. Your awesome brother comes back a week from tomorrow and I can't wait to see him. I will surely give him your love! I know it has been hectic for you...we can maybe talk soon. Bisous, Anita

Anonymous said...

I don't know how I missed this celebration Nancy, but it was so sweet to partake here! My neighbor brought me some cake from her celebration of Bastille Day. I have admired your work for a long time from afar. So nice of you to visit!
Roberta

Rebecca Ramsey said...

What a beautiful post! You've got me drooling-- and missing France.

Anonymous said...

You certainly had a lovely day, among such glorious eye candy and celebration. Thank you for sharing such fun!

Rosemary said...

So fun!!
Our town doesn't do anything for Bastille Day!!
There was a French Festival in Santa Barbara though.
The pastries look so good!!
Thanks for sharing,
Rosemary

Florence said...

Wow that looked like so much fun, and thank you for the History lesson.