In France, Bastille Day is a day of revolution and feisty celebrations. In Sydney, it’s about all that too – but also, cheese. Lots and lots of cheese. In this year’s case it's also about Olympics-style sports workshops, culinary masterclasses, open-air movie screenings and a lot of live music. Vive la révolution!
All of these delectable happenings will be unfolding beneath the banner of the Bastille Festival, a free, four-day celebration of the diverse culinary and cultural regions of France, whose major festival takeover of Sydney’s foreshore will be happening across The Rocks to Circular Quay, from July 11 until July 14.
This year’s revolutionary escapades will be celebrated on a très grand scale, with 2024 marking the year that the French capital will be hosting its first Olympic games since 1924. This year, outside of Customs House, you’ll find the the Bastille Olympic Village, which will play host to interactive sports workshops and huge Paris-inspired sculptures including a 6-metre-high replica of the Eiffel Tower. The Olympic festivities will culminate on Saturday, July 13 with a vibrant procession of athletes, performers, and community groups travelling from Circular Quay to The Rocks in the Bastille Olympic Parade.
Skipping the athletes' diet? You’re in good company – expect French street-food favourites like raclette (melted, grilled cheese heaven), fresh crêpes, baguettes, aromatic saucisson, and a selection of the nation’s most beloved cheeses available to keep you sustained. Reserve a seat at Le Diner Extraordinaire, an exclusive dining experience in Quay Quarter Lane where you'll be served a French-inspired menu while talented musicians set the scene with live performances of opera, cabaret, sax or piano.
A new addition to the lineup this year is the Bastille Festival masterclass series, which will comprise several food, wine and art masterclasses led by gourmet chefs, expert sommeliers and professional artists. Keen to learn how to make the perfect cheese souffle and perfectly pair your wines? Or, perhaps you've always dreamed of mastering the art of burlesque dancing? Then the masterclass series is for you.
This surely calls for an ooh là là.
On top of all the food festivities, you can expect to enjoy a tour of France's most reputable wine regions, all of which can be found around Circular Quay as part of The Bastille Wine Passport, as well as a whole lot of live music and public dancing, with 124 free performances set to take over the Sydney foreshore over the span of four days. Dance classes, jazz shows, DJ sets and more will be lighting up the city, while French movies will be screened on outdoor cinema screens (with mulled wine flowing). Paris, who needs her?
Joyeux quatorze Juillet, Sydney!
Entry is free with ticketed events starting from $22, find the full program here and plan your visit now.