"How to Celebrate Bastille Day Like a True Parisian," Madeleine Luckel

Courtesy of Maison Kayser

Now that the Fourth of July has come and gone, there’s another patriotically minded red-white-and-blue holiday on the horizon. Confused? Why, we mean Bastille Day, of course. So if you, too, are a Francophile at heart, it’s high time to start making your own la Fête nationale plans. Below, we asked Eric Kayser of Maison Kayser for some advice. So what exactly did this entail? The history! The traditions! And last but certainly not least—the food. With three recipes fit to make a complete meal, it’s practically a fait accompli.

How do the French typically celebrate Bastille Day? 

Bastille Day on July 14 celebrates the storming of the Bastille, a political prison that represented royal authority. It was a turning point in the French Revolution that eventually led to the end of the monarchy. 

To celebrate, the day usually starts with one of the oldest and largest military parades in the world, on the famed Champs-Elysées Avenue in the presence of the French president and other dignitaries. People come out to watch the parade and usually stay out all day, picnicking and staying late for the fireworks that conclude the celebration.

What do you like most about Bastille Day? 

I love how people come together on that day—people go out on the street to watch the parade and the fireworks. They eat together, laugh together; there is a sense of camaraderie and shared history on the street. I also love fireworks; they never cease to amaze the child in me.

So what are some traditional things to make on Bastille Day? 

It’s usually a hot day so people tend to stay outside. The tradition is usually to have a picnic outdoors with friends or to entertain at home in one’s backyard. Some of my favorite things to make include good sandwiches with freshly baked baguettes and the finest ingredients. 

My personal favorite is a Parisien sandwich—a typical French sandwich made with Parisian cooked ham, a touch of good butter, a few cornichons, and a slice or two of Gruyère cheese. I love to accompany my sandwiches with a cold ratatouille, which is a fragrant stew of eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini, onions, and red peppers typical of the South of France. Last but not least, I always bring pastries that can be easily eaten without forks and knives, like an éclair.

Any secret tips when it comes to making these dishes? 

The Parisien sandwich and ratatouille are simple yet delicious recipes. The key is to choose the best ingredients you can find. Fresh bread that is made with premium unbleached, unbromated flours; organic ham; butter made with high-quality cream; and seasonal vegetables. 

The éclair recipe might feel a bit more intimidating, but the secret is really to follow the four main steps one by one and to pace yourself. Make sure you have your mise en place ready before starting: Lay out all of the ingredients already measured before you, as well as any piece of equipment you will need. You can also replace the blueberry confit with some good blueberry preserves. Last but not least, make sure to keep the éclairs cold before enjoying them!  Bastille Day Recipes

Bastille Day: July 14, 1789