By: Silvana Geraldino

The Bastille Festival is a four-day free-entry French food, wine, and art celebration in Circular Quay. This year, it was from Thursday, 11 July, to Sunday, 14 July 2024. With multiple stages across Circular Quay, the Bastille festival offered over 70 performances with local performers, artists and well-known Australian bands, 14 bars and distilleries, and multiple artisan businesses showcasing their beautifully crafted products. The festival also offered paid experiences, including art and cooking masterclasses, open-air cinema showcasing famous French films, wine-tasting tours and top-notch French dining experiences for all types of vibes, serving a 4-course set menu paired with delicious wine and incredible music shows.

Our adventure began with a train ride from Bondi Junction to Martin Place station, where we walked to the Bastille festival. On arrival, the bustling crowd, as expected on a weekend, and the array of stands immediately caught my eye. There was a fantastic selection of options available, including food, beverages and artisan goodies. In an attempt to reduce my chances of overspending and manage my budget wisely, I checked the exhibitors beforehand to decide what I definitely wanted to buy and what was on my maybe list —an essential strategy for living on a budget in Sydney.

It was past lunchtime, so we started our tasting journey with a German Hot Dog from Berlin Bangers. This treat comprised of a double-smoked Kransky topped with sauerkraut, crispy fried onions on a freshly baked bun, finished off with a sweet and tangy German mustard which was delicious. As it was crowded, there were not enough tables available to enjoy our meal. Still, we didn’t let that or the hungry seagulls put us off from enjoying our meal on the sturdy stairs of Custom House Museum, where many others had the same idea.  We ate whilst listening to the talented American/Australian singer-songwriter Dianne Cripps onstage.

Next, we checked the East Circular Quay stands, where we listened to a performer singing ABBA’s “Dancing Queen”. We weren’t sure if she was part of the performers or an ‘undercover’ busker but either way, she brought live music to the environment, which is always nice. Then we made our way to the Olympic Villages, where there were big sculptured replicas of remarkable French Landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Pyramide du Louvre. Here, we tried Mulled Wine, a hot beverage that can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic, flavoured with spices such as cinnamon, cloves, allspice, anise, and nutmeg, making it the perfect drink to warm us up on a cold winter day.

After that,  we enjoyed listening to Alex Hurt on the guitar in the Garden Stage, which then led us to wonder in The Chef Village in First Fleet Park, where we tried the delicious éclairs from CHOUX Patisserie by the award-winning French Chef Nic Poelaert. The éclairs were spot on! Suddenly, I noticed people walking with this amazing waffle-looking treat and said to myself, “I have to try this”. So, off we went,  looking for the right stand to buy the waffle. Despite my concerns about my sugar intake for the day, as I have a major sweet tooth, I made room for my last tasting: an (imagine angelical effect*) authentic Dutch Stroop Waffle from Stroopbroos. The waffle was absolutely delicious and the best discovery of the day!  I am glad I had a bit of assistance finishing it because the sweetness did not disappoint!

We also wanted to try the fried melted cheese, which sounded delicious, but unfortunately, it was sold out by the time we got to the stand.

To finish the day,  we listened to the one-person band Daniele Montarullo, on the Garden Stage in front of the Contemporary Art Museum. His performance featured a guitar, violin, and a loop station, which was really cool and edgy.

Despite feeling like a fraud for attending a French festival and having only tried the famous French Éclairs, my friends and I were very impressed with the food quality and the vibrant atmosphere. Although some items were on the pricier side, with a median price of AUD $15 for a single food item, the delightful variety of beverages, food options, goodies, and music made up for it.