How to Throw a Bastille Day Party

Bastille Day, July 14, is the French national holiday. The occasion commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris on that date in 1789, an act the led to the French Revolution. Today, Bastille Day is celebrated in France and abroad with fireworks, parades, festive food and drink and getting together with friends and family. To host your own Bastille Day party, follow the steps below.

The Decorations
Decorate your home in red, white and blue. Just as everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day, everyone is French on Bastille Day. Show your support for the French by donning your table with red, white and blue--the colors of the French flag. Place small flags around the room for a French patriotic effect.

Table Settings
French style is all about understate elegance. Your linens, glassware and dishes don't have to be expensive, just chic. Simple white stoneware, like you find at Pier One, adapts easily to French Style. Add blue and/or red napkins and tablecloth and you've got a festive Bastille Day table.

The Food
Serve French food and wine. Bastille Day is a perfect time to serve rich French food that you wouldn't dare other times of the year. Keep it simple, however, so your guests will feel relaxed. Cheese and fruit, Quiche Lorraine, a crock pot of Beef Bourgignon and sandwiches made from French baguettes are all good choices. Accompany your fare with a Riesling from Alsace, a Vouvray from the Loire Valley or, if you really want the event to be special, French Champagne.

The Music
Entertain your guests with French music. Get into the spirit of Bastille Day by playing a selection of French songs. Of course, you must include the French national anthem, the "Marseillaise." In addition, choose a CD of Edith Piaf chansons and French folk songs.

That Little Something Extra
Espouse the spirit of the original Bastille Day. Though it was corrupted somewhat by the end of the Revolution, the original spirit of Bastille Day was one of brotherhood and equality for all. Infuse your party with that open-minded gaiety that symbolized the first Bastille Day.

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