La Nouvelle-Orléans will celebrate Bastille Day from July 6 to July 14, culminating on July 12  with Bastille Day Fête at Spanish Plaza.

Photo by Kim Welsh

Bastille Day, also referred to as French National Day, commemorates the July 14, 1789 storming of the Bastille, a prison fortress and symbol of Royal authority in Paris. After an angry mob of Parisians overtook the Bastille, France began to move towards a democratic government.

Numerous events across the city, including a number of cooking classes offered by The Alliance Française of New Orleans, a free screening of a film at Latter Library, and a French Market walking tour starting at the Joan of Arc Statue and ending at The Bastille Day Fête at Spanish Plaza.

The Bastille Day Fête, presented by The Alliance Française of New Orleans, will be held in Spanish Plaza from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on July 12. The event is free and open to the public and will feature musical performances by French accordionist Norbert Slama from 3:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots from 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., and Feufollet from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Local restaurants will offer French dishes and drinks, while children will be able to enjoy facepainting, French storytelling and a number of arts and crafts. A French Dog Contest will be held, awarding dogs based on various French costume categories.

On Sunday, July 13th, the 2nd Annual Bastille Day Washington Square Picnic will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will feature a Petanque tournament, a waiters race from Washington Square to the French Market, and a performance from The Pres Hall Brass Band from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.