If you click on the links in this post, we may earn money from the companies mentioned in this post, at no extra cost to you. You can read the full disclaimer here.
The Committee of French Societies in the Midwest is inviting everyone to join them in honoring Bastille Day, the French National Holiday. This day commemorates the historic storming of the Bastille prison in Paris on July 14, 1789. The day is now a symbol of revolution and liberty.
The Bastille Day celebration will take place at Navy Pier in the Lake Stage Area of Polk Bros Park. This will be happening on Friday, July 14, 2023, from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
Pack your picnic basket and come hungry. La Boulangerie & Company is a French bakery and cafe, known for their French pastries and light fare.
You will be able to buy pastries and treats from this amazing cafe.
Have fun dining al fresco in this beautiful park. Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere. Outside alcoholic beverages are prohibited at Navy Pier. However, you can purchase wine, champagne and light cocktails in the picnic area.
There will be a children’s corner, from 5 pm to 8 pm. Kids can enjoy face painting, cupcake decorating, a bubble show and summer games.
You can play petanque at the Bastille Day celebration. It is the classic French sport and has been played on the place publique in most towns and villages for centuries. It is similar to bocce ball except the ball is tossed in petanque, not bowled.
Volunteers will be there to demonstrate the game, show you how to play and organize casual games for novices on one of the courses.
The Polyphonia Orchestra will be entertaining. They are talented young musicians from Bourbon Island. They will be playing French songs and folkloric music, classical music and Latin music.
A tombola is a raffle in which tickets are drawn from a revolving drum with prizes awarded to the winning tickets. See a captivating array of prizes that could be yours.
French Food
If you like the French food at the celebration and would like to learn more about French cooking, try these cookbooks. And use our links to see how much you can save on each one.
- Dinner In French: My Recipes by Way Of France by Melissa Clark
- French Country Cooking by Mimi Thorisson
- A Table: Recipes for Cooking & Eating The French Way by Rebekah Rappler
Chicago Hotel Deals
If you’d like to visit Chicago for Bastille Day, you should consider the following hotels. These hotels are all offering discounted rates which can save you money on your stay.
- Staypineapple An Iconic Hotel, The Loop – 25% Discount
- Travelodge by Wyndham Downtown Chicago – 25% Discount
- CitizenM Chicago Downtown – 20% Discount
- Silversmith Hotel Chicago Downtown – 20% Discount
- Ambassador Chicago, part of JdY by Hyatt – 20% Discount
- Hotel Saint Clair – Magnificent Mile – 16% Discount
- Hyatt Regency Chicago – 15% Discount
- Millennium Knickerbocker Chicago – 15% Discount
- Omni Chicago Hotel – 15% Discount
- Hotel Versey Days Inn by Wyndham Chicago – 15% Discount
- Ohio House Hotel – 14% Discount
- Virgin Hotels Chicago – 12% Discount
- Hyatt Central The Loop Chicago – 11% Discount
- Fairmont Chicago at Millennium Park – 10% Discount
- Kimpton Hotel Monaco Chicago, an IHG Hotel – 10% Discount
- The Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown – 10% Discount
- The Royal Sonesta Chicago River North – 10% Discount
- The Allegro Royal Sonesta Hotel Chicago Loop – 10% Discount
- Kimpton Gray Hotel, an IHG Hotel – 10% Discount
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Chicago Downtown – 10% Discount
- Nobu Hotel Chicago – 10% Discount
- Sonesta ES Suites Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile – Medical – 10% Discount
- Swissotel – Chicago – 5% Discount
If you’re going to be flying to Chicago, book your flight here and you can save money.
