Give Me Liberté: RareDaily’s Guide to Bastille Day

You’re forgiven if you forgot this upcoming Saturday is Bastille Day. Now that you know… Francophiles of the world, unite!



BEST PARTY
Brooklyn’s Bar Tabac will be buzzing with a street festival and North America’s largest pétanque tournament (think Italian bocce). Two whole Smith Street (between Bergen & Pacific) blocks will be covered with sand, as 84 teams from around the world compete.

Blue Orchid will provide the jazz soundtrack. Merguez and chicken sandwiches will be served. Ricard cocktails will flow. Sunday (7/15), 11:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Bar Tabac, 128 Smith Street (Dean Street), Brooklyn, (718) 923-0918, bartabacny.com

BEST PARTY IN MANHATTAN
Les Halles’s annual Liberty Festival continues through this weekend with a special menu and festive events. Check out the street festival on Saturday (7/14) from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. All proceeds benefit Best Buddies Charity.

Les Halles Downtown, 15 John Street (Broadway), (212) 285-8585, leshalles.net

THE RESTAURANT
Feel instantly transported to the French countryside at Soho’s Provence. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon nibbling on some pissaldière (French pizza) while sipping a glass of rosé.

Provence, 38 Macdougal Street (Prince Street), (212) 475-7500, provencenyc.com

THE BISTRO
250 artisanal cheeses. 160 wines by the glass. Get to Artisanal with friends for an uncomparable selection of fromagerie.

Artisanal Fromagerie, Bistro and Wine Bar, 2 Park Avenue (32nd Street), (212) 725-8585, artisanalbistro.com

THE FÊTE
Immerse yourself in French sights, sounds, and flavors at the city’s annual Bastille Day Festival on Sunday (7/15) in midtown (60th Street from Fifth to Lexington Avenues). Go for the food. Stay for the live performers, and French Can Can.

Bastille Day Festival, Sunday (7/15), Noon to 6 p.m., 60th Street from Fifth to Lexington Avenues, bastilledayusa.com