The French national day, the 14th July, is upon us! The French holiday marks the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789 that was a key turning point in the revolution that overthrew the monarchy.
Not in Paris? Here are 10 ideas to celebrate French culture.
1. Listen to some French tunes.
Here’s a playlist I made on Spotify to get you in a Frenchy mood for the day, or even as you read this article!
2. Take an online French class!
Learn French or brush up your grammar with Duo Lingo or Babbel! Both have easy to follow, fun lessons that are good for your brain!
3. Make a croque monsieur!
This simple ham and cheese sandwich, when made well, is delicious. Obviously you can still enjoy it with just cheese if you don’t eat ham. The key is the crispiness. Want to make a Croque Madame? Just add a fried egg on top! Here’s a recipé from Alex at French Guy Cooking. Bon Ap!
4. Sip champagne, French wine…. or a Perrier!
The French bubbles are incomparable. Make a champagne toast or enjoy a delicious French wine. Perhaps a Bordeaux? Or for an affordable and safe option, you can’t go wrong with a Côte de Rhone. Doing dry July, or don’t drink alcohol? Sip a sparkling mineral water and pretend it’s a Perrier- add some orange juice and imagine it’s an Orangina!
5. Catch a French Film at the Alliance Français Film Festival or at home
If in Australia, SBS on demand has a ‘French Connection’ series of French films and series. Make a chocolat chaud and enjoy. If in Sydney, you can actually get out of the house and attend the Alliance Français French Film Festival, running until 4th August. Anywhere else in the world? Try a classic- La nuit américaine (François Truffaut), a cult- Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain (Jean- Pierre Jeunet) or a recent hit from Cannes 2019- Les Misérables (Ladj Ly).
6. Enjoy some tap dance clips from Le Shuffle Project & Le Paris Tap Crew!
I had fun making these Paris tap dance clips- enjoy some rhythmic moments with a Paris backdrop avec nous!
7. With kids, or just need to splash some colour? Have fun with colouring in sheets from the Musée de Cluny.
The Middle Ages museum (musée de Cluny) online resources include some fun colouring in sheets. Images include the stained glass windows from Sainte- Chapelle, and the unicorn from the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries! Download here.
8. Meet the Mona Lisa in Virtual Reality!
The Louvre has created an app that allows you to meet the Mona Lisa “beyond the glass”- it’s a virtual reality experience and also something that can be experienced in 360 on your phone by downloading the app- check it out here!
9. Sense the city with my e-book
My e-book ‘Sense in the City- Paris’ will help you see, hear, smell, touch, taste and sense Paris… and help you envisage your next trip to the French capital! Available here.
10. Travel vicariously to Paris with ‘The Art Lover’s Guide to Paris’ or ‘The Architecture Lover’s Guide to Paris’
Learn about Paris’ fascinating art history, read about past and present artists, galleries, museums, auction houses, street art, architecture, cafés and hotels; get photography tips from an expert and follow an art themed walking tour of Montmartre. All this and more in my book ‘The Art Lover’s Guide to Paris’. Available in most bookshops or direct from the publisher (White Owl) here in paperback, e-pub and kindle.
Et voila! Bonne fête!
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