The best of French in Chicago: Celebrate Bastille Day in the Windy City

Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille – and the start of the French Revolution – on July 14, 1789. Today, people in France and around the world mark the day with festivals, parades and more.

In Chicago, there are many ways to celebrate the French national holiday. It’s worth planning ahead to make sure you don’t miss a special French meal, festival or run – all designed to toast the blue, white and red.

Here are a few ways to celebrate Bastille Day in Chicago this year…

French treats at ‘The Summer of Sweet Independence’

For the Fourth of July and Bastille Day, Toni Patisserie and Cafe will celebrate ‘The Summer of Sweet Independence’. Sweet offerings include macarons in red, white and blue. Enjoy blueberry and cherry gelée striped with vanilla bean panna cotta and raspberry and blueberry clafoutis tart dusted with powered sugar. A selection of patriotic-colored savory items are also available.

French walk to freedom – 5K & 8k walk & block party

Why not celebrate Bastille Day with a run through Chicago’s beautiful Lincoln Park? The Bastille Day 5K & 8K kicks off at 7.15pm (5K) and 7.30pm (8K), followed by a post-race party outside the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.

Bastille dinner à la française

Le Bouchon is offering a special $25 prix fixe menu, which includes escargot or salad Lyonnaise, steak frites or trout Grenobloise, and mouse au chocolat or creme caramel, plus $1 Kronenbourg lager.

Celebrate French cuisine at Le Cordon Bleu

Starting at 10:30am, Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago commemorates Bastille Day with French cooking demonstrations. The free event offers tips for budding chefs and provides a closer look at the LCB kitchens. Space is limited so be sure to RSVP in advance.

Bastille fun at the Chicago French Market

The Chicago French Market will celebrate with an afternoon of events from 11:30am – 3:00pm. See a cooking demonstration by Le Bouchon Head Chef Jean Claude Poilevey and his son, Sous Chef Oliver Poilevey, plus a performance by Sarah Young Trio and a free bubbly tasting.

France in the heart of Chicago

This year Daley Plaza will play host to the second annual Bastille Day 2013. It is hosted by the Consulate General of France in Chicago, French American Chamber of Commerce – Chicago, and other French, French-American and Francophone Associations.

The free event runs from 4–10pm, and offers a wide range of music and entertainment for all ages. And, of course, plenty of French food options to sample and enjoy. Try crêpes from Crêpes Paname, macarons from Sugar Fixé Patisserie, and an assortment of crêpes, croissants and sandwiches from La Boulangerie – to name a few. And, enjoy a selection of beer from French Craft Brewers.

The Tour de France – Chicago style!

The Bastille Day festivities at Webster Wine bar get off to an early start from 9-1pm with ‘Tour d’Henriot’. The annual event features teams from local restaurants and wine retailers vying for a trophy and a jeroboam of Champagne Henriot Brut Souverain. Be sure to catch the teams’ ‘spirited’ costumes and celebrate at the post-ride fête.

Then, celebrate all things French from 1-8pm, with French wines, Champagne Henriot and a Provençal signature cocktail. Try French charcuterie, cheese, baguette sandwiches, quiche, salads and pastries. The festivities even include French wine tasting classes and a free pétanque tournament.

How do you plan to celebrate Bastille Day? Share with us in the comments below!