With Bastille Day falling on a Monday (14 July) this year, the Sydney celebrations are starting early and stretching well beyond the weekend. From Champagne trails and live jazz to duck cassoulet and Crêpes Suzette, Sydney is pulling out all the stops to channel that unmistakable French flair.
Bastille Festival Returns to The Rocks
Now in its 13th year, the Bastille Festival is back with more than 120 food and wine stalls popping up across Circular Quay and The Rocks from Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 July. Free to enter and open all day, it's the kind of event that turns a chilly Sydney night into something festive and full of flavour.
Expect all the French staples including escargot, croque monsieurs, mulled wine and gooey raclette, along with creative twists and collaborations from local and international culinary talent. A dedicated Champagne and oyster trail runs alongside wine-tasting zones that highlight eight of France’s major wine regions, from Bordeaux reds to Provence rosé.
Street performers, roving musicians, fire shows, DJs and dance classes will keep the energy flowing, with two main stages and pop-up bars scattered throughout the precinct.
Bastille Weekend at Franca and Armorica
If you're craving something more intimate with fewer fire shows, Franca in Potts Point and Armorica in Surry Hills are celebrating Bastille Weekend with live jazz and tailored menus. Both venues will host musicians from 1pm to 4pm during lunch service on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 July, with a French 75 cocktail on arrival to set the tone.
Franca’s menu highlights the classics with foie gras and winter truffle terrine, veal blanquette, and Crêpes Suzette finished at the table. It’s a polished, three-course affair priced at $125 per person. Armorica is offering two options. Liberté is $95 per person for two guests, while La Grande Révolution is $160 per person for groups of four or more. Both feature French bistro favourites including pork and duck terrine, croque monsieurs and French onion soup.
Bookings are essential, and the set menu must be selected when reserving a table.
A Market-Style Celebration at Hay St Market
Running from 9 to 20 July, closed Mondays and Tuesdays, Hay St Market in Haymarket is hosting its first Bastille Day pop-up. With food stalls, DJs and family-friendly activities, it’s a relaxed take on the French festival vibe, perfect for a quick lunch or casual catch-up.
On the menu are duck cassoulet, beef bourguignon, steak frites, Crêpes Suzette, croque monsieurs and gruyère gougères, from a mix of French pop-up carts and local market favourites including The Cheese Table and Thomas Hay Bakery. Entry is free.
Bastille at Greenwood Hotel, North Sydney
For the first time, the Bastille Day celebrations are heading across the bridge to the Greenwood Hotel in North Sydney. Taking place on Saturday 12 July from 6pm, this event promises a full night of French-inspired entertainment in one of North Sydney's favourite venues.
The evening will mark the 130th anniversary of Alliance Française de Sydney, and the program is set to match the occasion. Expect lively Cancan performances, French DJ sets from Loo-e, sweet treats like crêpes, and the chance to win prizes with raffles running throughout the night. General admission is $25.
An eight-course celebration at Monopole
Monopole in Sydney’s CBD is celebrating Bastille Day with an eight-course set menu designed by chef and owner Brent Savage. Priced at $120 per person, the menu includes French favourites like vol au vent d’escargots, boeuf Bourguignon and crème caramel au Sauternes. Truffle can be added for a little extra indulgence.
Since its early days in Potts Point, Monopole has always had a French sensibility, but became a full French restaurant in early 2024. The award-winning wine list, curated by sommelier Nick Hildebrandt, includes more than 800 French wines, many of them rare or exclusive. With more than 25 wines available by the glass, it’s a perfect spot for those keen to explore.
Free madeleines at Sacre Bleu!
At Barangaroo bakery Sacre Bleu!, the Bastille Day celebration is simple and sweet. On Friday, July 11, the first 25 customers who purchase a coffee will receive a complimentary box of the bakery’s famous madeleines. The next 100 customers will each receive a madeleine to go.
Founded by French couple Adrien and Cécile, Sacre Bleu! is known for its dedication to traditional French baking, with everything handmade in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. The name captures the joy and nostalgia that runs through everything they create.
A long lunch at The Dry Dock, Balmain
For something a little later in the month, The Dry Dock in Balmain is hosting a one-off Tour de France Wine Lunch on Tuesday 29 July. The five-course menu will be paired with eight standout French wines from the World Wine Estates portfolio. Host James Johnston will guide guests through the regions and stories behind each pour, from Champagne to Bandol.
Chef Ben Sitton has created a menu that balances classic French flavours with seasonal produce, served in the elegant surrounds of The Dining Room. Tickets are $210 per person and include all wine pairings.
Raise a Glass at Home with Maison Lanson
While there are plenty of options to celebrate Bastille Day in and around Sydney, you may prefer to stay in and celebrate. Maison Lanson’s Le Black Creation 268 is the latest release from the Champagne house that has been crafting bottles since 1760. This year’s vintage keeps to tradition. It’s complex, aromatic and perfect for toasting the occasion from the comfort of your own home. Pair it with a decadent French cheese platter.