We’ve already celebrated our independence as Americans, but this weekend New Orleanians are invited to get in touch with their revolutionary roots and party with the people that pronounce their street names properly.

For the first time ever, the French Consulate General of New Orleans, the Alliance Francaise, and the Council of French Societies are coming together to celebrate the French Republic's founding national holiday. The weekend schedule includes a French Dog Contest, a Bal du 14 juillet at the Old U.S. Mint, and of course, a fireworks show.

Etienne Dages-Desgranges of the French Consulate General of New Orleans said that he’s excited to engage locals in such an important French National celebration.

“We’ve seen that all the people in New Orleans were very involved in preserving French culture, so we had the idea to do Bastille de fete for the first year with the French speaking and Francophile communities,” Dages-Desgranges said.

Friday night on the river, there will be a special fireworks show to kick off the festival. Dages-Desgranges says that the explosive art is a perfect fit for a Bastille Day fete.

“It’s what we do in France," Dages-Desgranges said. "We do fireworks across the entire country.”

In addition to fireworks, the French also dance, eat, drink, and parade together on their national celebration. It doesn’t take much nudging to convince New Orleanians to take to the streets, and the fact that Bastille Day took place when New Orleans was still under French leadership is all the more reason for us to join to celebrate their independence.

The holiday stems from the storming of the Bastille, which took place on July 14, 1789. The mad mob's march marked the beginning of the French Revolution. After King Louis XVI began taxing the poor to maintain his indulgent lifestyle despite France’s bankruptcy, the lower classes decided they’d had enough. Protestors stormed the Bastille Prison as an act of defiance against monarchical rule and the excess it represented. When the angry mob arrived, there were only seven prisoners inside, but the act against this imperial-looking fortress lived on as a symbol of the Revolution.

New Orleans’ French and Francophile communities have been planning the weekend for months.  

“The first fete, it’s not easy. We work hard to maintain this event,” Dages-Desgranges said.  

Saturday morning at 9am, dog owners can bring their fluffy frenchies to the Dutch Alley in the French Market and register them from a French Dog Contest. The Alliance Française and the LA/SPCA are hosting the event, and they invite breeds such as Poodles, French Bulldogs, and Bichons to participate. All dogs are welcome, as long as they’re dressed in a fancy, French-inspired get up. The judging will take place at 9:30 and will be followed by an awards ceremony. 

Back in the old country, balls and communal dancing are a big part of Bastille Day activities. Fancy Francophiles can look forward to Saturday night’s “Bal du 14 juillet.” For the first time, the Consulate General of France in New Orleans along with the French community are hosting a ball in the courtyard at the Old U.S. Mint. From 3-9, Norbert Slama Trio, Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots, and Helen Gillet and the Wazozo Orchestra will perform French music of all genres.

Vendors are in keeping with the theme of the fete, with Crepes a la Cart, Café Degas, La Divina, Rene Bistro, Maurice French Pastries, and Brigade Coffee providing the food for the evening. There will be a cash bar.  

Saturday night in in Mid City, The Fauborg St. John Neighborhood Association will kick off its countryside-style version of a big Bastille Day blowout with  “Bal Populaire!” from 5pm-9pm. In the 3100 block of Ponce de Leon, Francophiles can storm the streets of mid city and dance to the music of Zazou City, Ukelele Jake, and the Creole String Beans.  

And if you're out on Sunday and have a need for some French-style speed, don't forget about the Waiter's Race at the French Market. For all the details on that event, read this story from earlier this week.