Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille Fortress in Paris in 1789. It was a turning point in the French Revolution against Royal tyranny, and continues to be celebrated as a symbol of the power of society to overcome oppression.
Celebrate in true French style in Franschhoek, South Africa’s own idyllic little corner of France. Franschhoek is a particularly appropriate place to honour the quest for liberty, as it is where many Huguenots settled in the 17th century after fleeing religious persecution in France.
There are plenty of activities for the whole family and you can taste fine wines, sample gourmet cheeses and even play a leisurely game of boules.
The 2010 Franschhoek Bastille Day Festival takes place over the weekend of 17 and 18 July.
In honour of Franschhoek’s Huguenot heritage, the whole town will partying: On Saturday morning there’s a parade, and the Festival will feature a craft market, musicians and plenty of activities for kids.
This year’s fun run from Drakenstein Prison (formerly Victor Verster) is especially poignant, as Victor Verster is where Nelson Mandela served his final term of imprisonment, and the event takes place on the weekend of Mandela’s birthday.
Want to completely immerse yourself in French culture? Catch a French movie at Le Quartier Français’s private screening room. Then have a go at the traditional French sport of boules.
The Food and Wine Marquee forms the heart of the festival. Here you can sample wine from Franschhoek’s superb vineyards and taste gourmet food from top local chefs. Franschhoek is always a foodie paradise, but the town’s chefs will pull out all the stops for the Bastille Day festival, with specially created menus to mark the occasion. It is advisable to buy tickets for the Food and Wine Marquee beforehand, to avoid disappointment. Entrance is R100, and includes a tasting glass and coupons.
The Taj Cape Town is an ideal base if you want to experience the excitement of Cape Town, and the tranquillity of the Cape Winelands. Franschhoek is situated within easy driving distance of the Cape Town city centre and is ideally located for day-trippers.
