Boston’s Bastille Days

Boston salutes French Independence Day, the 14th of July, with a 17-day French film festival at the Museum of Fine Arts, a street party in Harvard Square, and a day of “let them eat cake fun” at the Franklin Park Zoo.  

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (465 Huntington Ave., Boston, $10 general ticket admission, $8 members, students, seniors)(Map)  hosts the 15th annual Boston French Film Festival from July 8-July 25  to coincide nicely with the city’s Bastille Day festivities. This year’s series will feature 24 Boston premieres including  Little Nicholas, a family comedy  and romantic comedies The French Kissers and Heartbreaker.

Harvard Square (Map)transforms into a Parisian playground on Sunday, July 11 from 2 PM-10 PM with food, music and dancing in the street. If you have forgiven France, watch the final game of the World Cup on an outdoor screen beginning at 2:30 PM. Behold too, the waiters scurrying down Holyoke Street with trays of wine at 5:15 PM .

Les enfants can celebrate Bastille Day too. On Wednesday, July 14 from 10 AM- 5 PM, the Franklin Park Zoo ( One Franklin Park Rd., Boston, free event with paid admission, $14 adults, $8 ages 2-12) (Map)will be hosting a Bastille Day party which will include samples of a French Flag cake from famed Montilio’s Bakery . The Franklin Park Zoo is home to  Samuel and Balthazar, two adorable Poitou Donkeys, the oldest breed of donkeys in France. Zookeepers will be on hand throughout the day to tell you all about them!

Image Credit: Heartbreaker from The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston