Who says you need to be in France to celebrate Bastille Day? Check out these french-inspired festivities happening right in D.C.
By Shannon O’Reilly
L'Enfant hosts its annual French Maid Relay Race and after party, where traditional french garb is a must.
Spot a French Maid
L’Enfant Café and Bar celebrates this Bastille Day with their annual French Maid Relay Race. Watch dozens of men and women race in French maid attire, including the frilly aprons, for the title “Fastest Runner” and “Shortest Skirt.” After the race, dance the night away at L’Enfant’s masquerade ball happening in the middle of Vernon Street, between 18th and 19th Street, with outdoor DJs and beer trucks.
Storm the Bastille
Celebrate the storming of the Bastille at a runner’s pace in the DC Road Runners Club 2011 Bastille Day 4-miler. The race will be on the Capital Crescent Trail, starting at Fletcher’s Cove on July 14. Online registration closes at 4 p.m. on race day and spots are limited. Left your running shoes at home? That’s all right. DC Road Runners Club is always looking for volunteers, so come out and celebrate Bastille Day.
On your mark, get set, baguette?
PAUL Bakery and Café, Pennsylvania Avenue’s newest French establishment, is started a new Bastille Day Tradition with their very own “Bastille Day Baguette Relay Race.” Relay teams will take turns running a lap around the plaza of the US Navy Memorial with a baguette instead of the traditional baton. Members of the winning team will receive a $25 gift card to PAUL. Think you have what it takes to cross the finish line first with baguette in hand? Then sign up by leaving a comment on PAUL’s facebook page. Race begins July at 11:30 a.m.
Break It Down at Fête Nationale
Celebrate Bastille Day at Napoleon Bistro and Lounge with dinner and drink specials beginning at 5:30 p.m. After dinner is when the celebration really begins with French Electronic courtesy of Jubilee Mo and Navabox. Dance the night away until 2:00 pm with underground jams in celebration of the revolution. End the night with a toast; champagne cocktails are half off all night long.
Get Sophisticated Bastille Day Style
The restaurant Central Michel Richard hosts a fête extraordinaire for its fourth annual Bastille Day Celebration from 5:00-10:30 p.m. The party starts with food and drink specials from Executive chef Jason Maddens and General Manager/Sommelier David Hale and a prix-fixe dinner menu at $38 that includes entrees such as Poisson en Papillote and Pots du Crème au Chocolat et aux Madelines for dessert. Stick around for the Laissez-Foure Quartet, which will play from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. It’s sure to be a night of French sophistication.
