Bastille Day 2015

Day? Try week – we’ve chosen seven days of French-themed fun to be had all over town. By Samantha Miner

WED JUL 8 BASTILLE WEEK AT ANANAS

The Parisian-tinged bar and restaurant in the Rocks kicks off seven days of French-inspired fun with a special oysters and Champagne extravaganza. 18 Argyle St, The Rocks 2000. 02 9259 5668. 5pm. www.ananas. com.au.

THU JUL 9

MACARONS AT LADURÉE SYDNEY

The Paris macaron-makers whose roots trace back all the way to 1862 serve their famous featherlight macarons at the inaugural local store in Westfield Sydney. Choose from the likes of orange blossom, blackcurrant, incroyable strawberry candy or lime basil, and savour what many call the best macarons on Earth. C’est bon, Sydney! Lvl 3, Westfield Sydney Mall, Cnr Pitt & Market Sts, Sydney 2000. 02 9231 0491. www.laduree.com. 9.30am-6.30pm.

FRI JUL 10 BLEU BLANC ROUGE FESTIVAL

The BBR French World Festival packs together a huge list of Gallic-tinged activities from France, Switzerland, Canada and Belgium. Discover your favourite regional bites and sips in a display of 50 food specialties including crêpes, raclette, saucisson and macarons, and 18 wines from Alsace to Champagne. If you’re still not full, there are cooking classes, live concerts, cabaret, antique markets and film screenings. Little ones can visit the designated kids’ corner, where there will be comics, lollies and storytelling to keep them occupied. 31 Alfred St, Sydney 2000. bbrfestival.com.au. 7am-11pm. $89. Jul 10-12.

SAT JUL 11

LES MISÉRABLES

Cameron Mackintosh’s beloved 1985 musical has been rebooted in a kinetic production at the Capitol Theatre. The classic tale set during the Paris Uprising still packs an emotional wallop, and features Lara Mulcahy, Trevor Ashley and Simon Gleeson as long-suffering protagonist Jean Valjean. 13 Campbell St, Haymarket 2000. 02 9320 5000. www. ticketmaster.com.au. 2pm & 7.30pm. $60-$150. Until Sep 13.

SUN JUL 12

FRENCH MARITIME HISTORY AT LA PEROUSE MUSEUM

This south Sydney museum located in Kamay Botany Bay National Park documents the 1777-78 transit of French explorer the Comte de Lapérouse. The museum is housed in the historic Cable Station building, and the monuments and plaques are open to visitors at all hours. Anzac Pde, La Perouse 2036. laperouse museum.org. Sun 10am-4pm. Free.

MON JUL 13

FRENCH FURNITURE AT ICI ET LÀ

Browse one of Sydney’s largest collections of early 20th-century Gallic furnishings inside this Surry Hills shop – which is on Time Out’s list of the city’s top antiques stores and also stocks fabrics and other decorative finds from France. Their most popular items are the colorful canvas deck and director chairs, which can be customised with whatever fabric suits your fancy. 7 Nickson St, Surry Hills 2010. 02 8399 1173. www.icietla.com. au. Mon-Sat 10am-5pm.

TUE JUL 14

DINNER AT CLAIRE’S KITCHEN AT LE SALON

Devour four courses: amuse bouche, entrée, plat de resistance and dessert. Your night at the Moulin Rouge-themed dinner event comes complete with an accordionist and can-can dancers for an added touch of authenticity. 35 Oxford St, Darlinghurst 2010. www.claireskitchen.com. au. 6.30pm. $90.

Bastille Day Tue Jul 14.