Felix Hamelot (left) and Jonathan Drain (right) from Une Normand a Londres at North End Road Market
Hammersmith & Fulham Council is celebrating Bastille Day in the borough, along with our 5,400 French residents and numerous French businesses.
Local Bastille Day events include a traditional French menu and accordionist at the Duke on the Green pub in Parsons Green, Fulham. The Old Ship pub in Upper Mall, Hammersmith is offering a French barbecue and a live performance by Fleur De Paris of French music hall songs. Both are from 7.30pm.
Councillor Ben Coleman, H&F Council's Cabinet member for resident satisfaction, said: “Last January, we flew the French flag at Hammersmith Town Hall in solidarity with the victims of terrorism in Paris. This July, we are glad to have an opportunity to celebrate a happy occasion with our many French residents.”
French is the most-widely spoken foreign language in Hammersmith & Fulham. The many French food businesses in the borough include Pâtisserie Sainte-Anne in King Street, Hammersmith; restaurant Bistro by Shot in Parsons Green Lane, Fulham; cheese stall Une Normande à Londres (pictured) in North End Road Market, Fulham; and creperie La Petite Bretagne in Beadon Road, Hammersmith.
The borough is also a great place for education in French. Throughout the summer, Le Petit Conservatoire, based in St Matthew’s Church in Wandsworth Bridge Road, is offering music and stimulating workshops in French, open to all children aged three to 10.
French schools include the Fulham Bilingual School (a partnership between Holy Cross Catholic Primary and L'Ecole Primaire Marie d'Orliac) in Clancarty Road; L’Ecole Française de Londres Jacques Prévert in Brook Green; L'Ecole des Petits in Hazlebury Road, Fulham; and Le Herisson in Rivercourt Road, Hammersmith.
French citizens can also get medical and social support from charity Dispensaire Français in Hammersmith Road.
And from this weekend, tennis fans can enjoy watching France go up against Great Britain at the Davis Cup tie hosted at the Queen’s Club in Barons Court.
Bastille Day marks the beginning of the French revolution with the storming of The Bastille, the fortress and prison which represented royal authority, on 14 July 1789. It is a national holiday in France.
What’s your favourite?
Do you have a favourite French business or organisation in the borough? Let us know in the comments section below.
