Bastille Day in Manhattan

After brunch, it was time for my parents and I to show my cousin around the city. Since E is half French, we thought it might be fun to visit a Bastille Day celebration that was being held on 60th Street between 5th Ave and Lexington. This event occurred two days before the actual Bastille Day (July 14th), but it was still very fun!

For those who may not know Bastille Day, it is France's independence day. Bastille Day, also known as La Fete Nationale (French National Day) "commemorates the Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, which was the culmination in Paris of a violent revolution that had begun two days earlier, as well as the Fete de la Federation which celebrated the unity of the French people on 14 July 1790." (Wikipedia)

As expected, the Bastille Day street fair was PACKED with people. 60th Street was lined with food vendors, musicians, art vendors, etc… There was a lot to see! While not everything was totally French and there wasn't a lot of French being spoken, we still had fun people watching and strolling through the crowd.
So many people!
Not sure how French these grilled skewers are, but they looked delicious and smelled great!
Crepes and lemonade 
Macarons -- oh la la!

Of the many things available at the street fair, I was most excited to see the canele. Canele are "a small French pastry with a soft and tender custard center and a dark, thick caramelized crust. It takes the shape of a small striated cylinder approximately five centimeters in height and it a specialty of the Bordeaux region of France. It can often be found in Parisian patisseries as well. Made from egg, sugar, milk and flour flavored with run and vanilla, the custard batter is baked in a fluted mold." I absolutely love these tiny little cakes and once I start eating them, I can't stop! My boyfriend had never tried one, so I made sure to buy one for each of us. He loved it, which is what I expected. 
Canele and macarons
An assortment of French pastries

We didn't stay too long at the Bastille Day street fair, since it was rather insanely packed, but we stayed long enough to see the vendors and experience the event. We reflected with E that it was slightly ironic that she was in NYC celebrating Bastille Day, but it was still a lot of fun. It was a blast people watching and I think it was a great way to experience the city! What a great way to kick of E's trip to the USA. 

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