Bastille Day at Battersea Park

The French are famous for their Bastille Day celebrations which take place every year in July. And, as the capital’s French restaurants and bars are some of the finest in Europe, every other London resident is seemingly a Francophile, thousands of French ex-pats now call the capital home and many more Parisians hop on the Eurostar for a weekend of shopping in Central London, it should come as no surprise that the Bastille Day at Battersea Park event pulls out all the stops.

Free French festivities
As Bastille Day falls on a Wednesday this year, celebrations taking place on the preceding weekend with a typically French petanque tournament in Battersea Park and you can enjoy it all for free. In France, petanque isn’t just a national pastime, it’s an unbridled passion. From street corners to paths winding their way through picturesque parks, wherever you look people are playing petanque.

French flair
The typically French game was created in Provence over 100 years ago and both French nationals living in the UK and London Francophiles pride themselves on setting aside time to play petanque just as they would if they were on French soil. The Bastille Day at Battersea Park event brings together petanque champions from around the world with first timers who fancy having a go with their mates.

How To Play Petanque
Petanque is so simple to play that as long as you have a good aim you’ll be able to start scoring points straight away. Two teams of one, two or three players compete. Teams of two players use three boules per player whilst each member in teams of three use two boules. There must not be more than 12 boules on the ground at any time. The points are counted up after all of the boules have been thrown with teams scoring one point every time their boule lands closer to the Jack than their opponents. The winners are the first team to score thirteen points.

Food market
Also taking place as part of the one day festival is a French market selling village gourmet aplenty. Browse the raclette, cheese and wine area and meet guest of honour Raymond Blanc at the event.

Music and live entertainment
Music fans will find plenty to keep them happy for Bastille Day at Battersea Park, with French DJs and accordian music throughout the day. There's also a jaw dropping cabaret show from Le Lido, full of extravagant costumes and flamboyant dancing.

Family fun with a French flavour
The Bastille Day at Battersea Park event also includes plenty of extra activities that have been organised by London Macadam magazine including a dedicated area for children. Kids can get to grips with the basics of French cooking and take part in a blue, white and red balloon release.

The Bastille Day at Battersea Park event takes place 10am - 6pm, Sunday 11th July 2010. The event is free to attend.

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