Vive la Brisbane! Bastille Day (or La Fête Nationale, if we’re getting fancy) is France’s national day of celebration—basically their version of the Fourth of July, but with more champagne, cheese and charm. Held every year on 14 July, it marks the storming of the Bastille prison back in 1789—a major turning point in the French Revolution where the people rose up and said non merci to monarchy rule.
In Brisbane, Bastille Day is the perfect excuse to channel your inner Francophile and indulge in French feasts, jazz soirees, and all things très chic. Pop on a beret and check out the best Bastille Day celebrations in Brisbane below.
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Bisou Bisou
Chic French brasserie Bisou Bisou is celebrating Bastille Day all month long with iconic French winter warmers and limited-edition tricolore cocktails. For the whole of July, dig into four hero dishes designed to share—bound to fire up crisp days and chilly evenings. There’s slow-simmered beef bourguignon, fall-off-the-bone coq au vin, succulent duck à l’orange, and nourishing lamb cassoulet. Available for a minimum of two diners at $38 per person, each dish is served with a house beer, wine, or soft drink. But, if you’re anything like us, you’ll want to order Bisou Bisou’s three limited-edition cocktails—each representing a colour of the French flag. Book here.
The Details
When: 1 to 30 July
Where: Bisou Bisou, Fortitude Valley
Belle Époque
Image credit: Belle Époque | Supplied
Arguably the most show-stopping dish in town, Belle Époque’s uber talented pastry chefs are serving up a dazzling croquembouche just for Bastille Day. The towering dessert features vanilla crème pâtissière-filled profiteroles, filled with almond nougatine and all the elegance you can eat up. Available for dine-in or takeaway, get your pre-orders in by 5pm Friday 11 July here.
The Details
When: 12 to 14 July
Where: Belle Époque, South Brisbane
Pompette
Image credit: Pompette | Markus Ravik
Fancy a revolutionary celebration? French favourite Pompette is raising a glass to Bastille Day with every booked guest receiving a glass of authentic French bubbles on 14 July. The exclusive Red, White and Brüt experience is available on all Monday evening reservations, pairing perfectly with Pompette’s menu of elegant French flavours and the atmosphere filled with joie de vivre. Book here.
The Details
When: Monday 14 July
Where: Pompette, Brisbane CBD
Amelie at Dendy Cinemas Portside
Critically acclaimed for good reason, there’s never a more fitting time to watch iconic French rom-com Amelie than Bastille Day. Nominated for five Academy Awards, this charming tale follows a shy young waitress whose quest to spread joy leads her on a journey to find her own true love. You can catch the flick with two special screenings at Dendy Cinemas Portside—grab your tickets here.
The Details
When: 10:30am and 6:15pm Monday 14 July
Where: Dendy Cinemas Portside, Hamilton
Montrachet
Image credit: Montrachet | Markus Ravik
Brisbane’s premier French restaurant Montrachet is turning Bastille Day into a week-long celebration with a curated menu of impeccable classics inspired by French chef Paul Bocuse, rare wines, and the spirit of Paris imbuing the elegant atmosphere. They’re even exclusively opening their doors on Monday 14 July to celebrate the special occasion, serving up a decadent four-course spread featuring the likes of potato scaled snapper filet with leek fondue and saffron beurre blanc, truffled Tathra Place chicken in a foie gras sauce, and traditional crepe Suzette flambéed tableside. Book here.
The Details
When: 8 to 19 July
Where: Montrachet, Bowen Hills
C’est Bon
Image credit: C'est Bon | Supplied
Good food, good wine, and good company are the hallmarks of C’est Bon’s Bastille Day Jazz Soiree—a curated evening set to the smooth sounds of live jazz. Indulge in a shared menu featuring modern French classics reimagined in C’est Bon’s signature contemporary style, like escargot, delicate spanner crab souffle, Icon Wagyu with pomme frites, and pain d'épices savarin for dessert. Book here.
The Details
When: Bookings from 6pm to 9pm Monday 14 July
Where: C’est Bon Restaurant, Woolloongabba
Bar Miette
Image credit: Bar Miette | Supplied
Fashionably late but worth the wait, Bar Miette is celebrating Bastille Day on Tuesday 15 July, with a one-day-only pairing guaranteed to hit the spot. On the menu is cassoulet—a slow-cooked and hearty French stew from the Languedoc region, rich with duck, sausage, haricot beans, and tradition. The tender made-to-share meal will be classically paired with a glass of Beaujolais poured from some of the region’s most respected producers—perfectly enjoyed under the heaters on the Miette terrace. Book here.
The Details
When: From 5pm Tuesday 15 July
Where: Bar Miette, Brisbane CBD
For more of what’s on in Brisbane, head here.
Main image credit: Bisou Bisou | Supplied