What is Bastille Day?
Bastille Day is the national day of France, it is celebrated on the 14th of July each year to commemorate the anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789,
a turning point in the French Revolution, as well as the Fête de la Fédération which celebrates the new constitution installed after the revolution on 14 July 1790.
For more information on this fascinating celebration and the history behind it read the article from Matilda Marseillaise.
Storming of The Bastille, Jean-Pierre Houël
What are the Alliances Françaises?
The Alliance Française was created in 1883 by intellectuals and scientists such as Louis Pasteur, Jules Verne and Ferdinand de Lesseps. The international network of Alliances Françaises currently consists of 950 committees established in 138 countries. The quality of instruction is adapted to different publics and the ability to welcome all nationalities enables the Alliances Françaises to support and develop the teaching of French throughout the world to more than 450,000 students every year. The Alliances Françaises are not profit making societies registered with local authorities.They are administered by Committees composed of people from the economic, business and cultural spheres of which the statutes are recognised by the Fondation Alliance Française.
The Alliance Française favours and supports tours by artists around the world; with the aim of developing links and exchanges between different cultures. With the support of the Institut Français and the French Embassy, the Alliance Française organises cultural projects in all of the countries where it is present. Many Alliances Françaises are also art galleries, where both French and other artists can exhibit. In each country where it is present, the Alliance Française takes special interest in supporting local artists.
The first Alliance Française in Australia was founded in Melbourne in 1890 and the current Alliance Française network in Australia is made up of 31 individual branches.
The Program:
– 10th to 14th of July –
AF Townsville: Join us for a Bastille Day Film Night on Thursday 14 July from 7 pm at BCC Cinema, Little Fletcher Street. Come enjoy a night of French culture with “Delicious” (2022 France/Belgium, French Gastronomy) and “Blind Ambition” (2022, Australia, wine tasting), and a raffle! Price: $15.00.
AF Hobart: Bastille Day Cocktail on 14 July 2022 from 5.30 pm to 7 pm. Location: Mt. Stuart Hall, Byard St., Mt. Stuart. Price: $40.00 per person, RSVP mandatory.
AF Central Queensland: On 14th July, the AF in partnership with Keppel Flix will show the French film Petite Maman at Yeppoon Town Hall from 6.30 pm. French-inspired finger food and drinks provided. Book tickets here: http://www.keppelcoastarts.org.au/flix.html
AF Eurobodalla: Bastille day lunch on Thursday 14 July from noon at Moruya Golf Club. Price is $60 per person for a 3-course meal and welcome drink. Join us to toast La Belle France, sing La Marseillaise, dress à la française, hold a raffle for MSF and generally have a lot of fun!
AF Sydney: Bastille Day Around The World Celebrationon Thursday 14 July at The Argyle from 5 pm. Our jam-packed programme will transport you to France, Tahiti, New Caledonia, West Africa and beyond. This includes the Afro-beats of a live 5-piece band performance, an entertaining set from a Parisian-born DJ ; thrilling performances by French Polynesian and Cancan dancers; delicious crêpes and other tasty treats; and the chance to win fantastic prizes. Price: $25.00 General Admission, $20.00 dollars for members. Price includes a glass of red wine. Dress code: french stripes or tropical floral.
– 15th of July –
AF Newcastle: On Friday 15 July, watch a French Friday Movie “Lost Illusions” starting at 7 pm at Event Cinema Kotara. Come from 6 pm to enjoy our little French market and some French Music. On Saturday 16 July will run our Bastille Day Party at the Queens Wharf Hotel in Honeysuckle from 5 pm to 8 pm. Come dance to French music, listen to some francophones artists and get dressed up in Bleu, Blanc et Rouge to celebrate. Family-friendly event with Face painting, raffle tickets with great prizes. $7.00/person for members. On Sunday 17 July, join our French Cabaret 2 courses Lunch at 48 Watt Street in Newcastle. $70.00/person. Booking: https://www.afnewcastle.com.au/social-activities/bastille-day-celebration/
AF Darwin: Bastille Day Party. Join us at Darwin Surf Life Saving Club on Friday 15 July from 5:30 pm to 10 pm to celebrate France’s national day. There will be live music, dancing, our students from AF Darwin French School and more. Face painting and art available for kids. $5.00 raffle tickets with prizes worth up $120.00 for grab. Free event.
AF Gold Coast: Cocktail party style evening Fête Nationale on Friday 15th July 2022 from 6:30 – 9:30 pm in our premises 5A/71 Upton Street, BUNDALL – 4215 QLD. Price: $45.00 pp. Guest will get Champagne upon arrival, cold canapés, cheese + pâté platters and participate in a French Quiz. RSVP before July 12.
AF Toowoomba: Le Quatorze Juillet French Trivia Night on Friday, 15 July 2022 from 6.00 pm at St Luke’s Hall, Toowoomba.
– 16th of July and onwards –
AF Canberra: Champagne Bastille Brunch on Saturday 16 juillet from 10 am to 12 pm at the Alliance Française de Canberra. Come listen to some live french accordéon music, play a Trivia game with prizes to be won, drink Nicolas Feuillatte champagne and eat some eggs, salmon, fruits and french viennoiseries. Price: $50.00 for non-members and $42.50 for members. Half price for kids between 5-18 years old, free under 5 years old.
AF Albury: French-inspired Afternoon Tea on Saturday 16 July, 2:30 pm at La Maison Restaurant, The Causeway, Wodonga. $30.00 per person covering a glass of wine or other beverage and a selection of French-themed treats. Join us and come celebrate French language and culture.
AF Perth: Join us for an elegant dinner with French food, drinks and entertainment at the Claremont Yacht Club on Saturday 16 July from 6 pm. Enjoy A 3-course French menu dinner (meat, fish or vegetarian option) accompanied by French wine as well French entertainment and raffle prizes. Price: $75.00 AF & FACCI Members and $95.00 General Admission. Dress code: cocktail.
AF Melbourne: Join the Alliance Française de Melbourne at Fed Square on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 July to celebrate everything French at the Bastille Day French Festival! Also take part in the France eMOTION: le voyage animé, an augmented-reality photographic exhibition from France, created in collaboration with the Embassy of France, Institut Français, Atout France, the Bastille Day French Festival 2022 and the Alliance Française de Melbourne. This travel-inspired exhibition co-presented by Collins Place Melbourne features 35 panels showcasing photographs highlighting the diversity of French art and architectural heritage. From 16 July until July, open 10 am – 5 pm daily.
AF Côte du Nord: celebrate Liberty, Equality and Fraternity with the French nation on Saturday 16th July from 12.30 pm till 3 pm at Sanctuary Village Hall, 502 Ross Lane, Lennox Head. Finger food will be provided. Please bring your own drinks. Relaxed afternoon of French conviviality. Price: $10.00 per member, $12.00 for non-members. Please RSVP to book at info@afcdn.org.au. We also continue the celebrations with French-themed Concerts at Gretel Farm (134 Springvale Road Eureka 2480) on Sunday 24 July at 3 pm, featuring French music for the clarinet and piano. BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL. Adults $40.00, concession $35.00, free for children, includes afternoon tea.
AF Adelaide: Join us for Bastille Day celebration with a gouter, family-friendly film and other activities for kids and adults on Sunday 17 July from 3 pm to 6 pm at Capri Cinema, Goodwood. Prices: $16.91 for adults and $13.75 for children. Tickets include entertainment, an individual food box, a welcome drink and access to the screening of a film for the occasion. Booking essential.
AF Armidale: Lunch party on Sunday 24th July at 1 pm at Peterson’s Winery, a nineteenth-century mansion set in beautiful grounds. $59.00 per person, half price for children. RSVP by Wednesday 20 July. Guests are greeted with pink champagne on arrival and lunch is served on platters full of superb dishes.
