Embassy of France hosts Bastille Day party for 1,400 of its closest friends

It’s almost as if France, recognizing not everyone can make it to Paris this summer for the largest sporting event in the world, instead brought the City of Lights to our nation’s capital.

The Bastille Day garden party, hosted last night by the Embassy of France, lit up the sky for all to see, both in Ottawa and Gatineau, with its brilliant fireworks show. The performance marked the culmination of an event filled with fine food and libations. The crowd of roughly 1,400 invited guests was officially welcomed by France’s ambassador to Canada, Michel Miraillet, who recognized that all eyes will be on Paris in the coming days as the city prepares to host the Summer Olympic Games.

“France will welcome the entire world for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris — 100 years after the last Summer Games to be held in our capital,” the diplomat said at the podium. “This is a major event of particular importance. The world will be expecting a lot from us, and we intend not to disappoint.” The opening ceremonies are set for Friday, July 26 along the Seine river, which runs through the heart of Paris. Bastille Day has its origins in two key events in French history: the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, and, one year later, Fête de la Fédération.  Today, the holiday stands of as a symbol of a Republic founded on the principles of democracy, said the ambassador, who ended his remarks with: “Vive la Francophonie Canadienne, vive la République, vive la France.” To mark the day, the iconic Ottawa sign in the ByWard Market was lit up in France's colours of blue, white and red. Elsewhere, there were celebrations organized by consulates and French associations throughout Canada, including in Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton and the Atlantic Provinces. The timing of the embassy's festivities, from early to late evening, provided a break from the scorching summer temperatures, and made things a little more comfortable for guests in business suits, ties, and uniforms. The streamers hanging from branches, seen fluttering in the light breeze, were a nice touch.

Spotted in the crowd was Canada’s retiring top soldier, Gen. Wayne Eyre, and many members of the local diplomatic corp, including U.S. Ambassador David Cohen with his wife, Rhonda. If there was a gold medal for most festive attire, it’d have been won by Gabriel Lessard and his wife, Corinne. Lessard is a retired career diplomat who served as Canadian ambassador to Vietnam and Ethiopia. Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa executive chef and cuisine instructor Yannick Anton, who was recently honoured at the embassy with France's highest honour for promoting its culture in Canada, was seen working at the party with Le Cordon Bleu pastry chef instructor Beatrice Dupasquier and cuisine instructor Yann Le Coz. Le Cordon Bleu, which is based in Paris, was a sponsor of the event. Its cuisine and pastry instructors in Ottawa all have Michelin-star experience and are originally from France.

From major sponsor RBC was outgoing regional president Marjolaine Hudon. She was surrounded by many members of her family, eager to show them a peek at the more fun side of her job. She also invited Stéphane Brutus, dean of the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa. Hudon is a member of the Telfer's Strategic Leadership Cabinet, where she joins key national business leaders in its mission to build a better Canada. The two have known each other for years, having both grown up in Montreal. Hudon is also friends with the dean's sister, Isabelle, whom he brought along. “I wanted to show her the best of Ottawa,” said Brutus, who, as a first-time attendee, was left impressed by the hospitality. "It's a very classy event, and such a beautiful setting along the river." The ambassador's residence is located in New Edinburgh on Sussex Drive, near Rideau Falls. The magnificent building served as the striking backdrop for the party. Even more so later in the evening, when it was bathed in France's blue, white and red colours.

caroline@obj.ca