Bastille Days

Bastille Days is one of the highlights of the summer here in Milwaukee. It is a four day festival located in downtown that celebrates French culture. Opening night starts with the Storm the Bastille run.
I went to Bastille Days with my husband this year, after not making it out for the last several years. We had a nice time walking around and checking out the different vendors that were there. I was especially pleased to see Door County Winery there this year, as they are one of my favorite wineries. Bastille Days also has food, drink, shopping, and live music. Shout out to Cedar Crest ice cream for serving up some awesome ice cream!
I enjoyed seeing all the people with their dogs there. My husband and I chatted with a gentleman who had his young pit bull with him. He and the dog were both very nice.
My husband and I will definitely make a point to come back to Bastille Days again.

Went to bastille days for the first time this year (2015). Having just been to Paris this year I wanted to see what Milwaukee had to offer.
They had all the usual French foods such as tacos, hot dogs, shepherd’s pie, etc. Plus I heard from a relative there were the traditional French polka dancers in attendance.
In all seriousness, there was some actual French themed things but most of it wasn’t. I really would have liked more options of French food. I did find a baguette sandwich that was really good.
Since it is a free event I would go again in a few years, but won’t put it into my calendar for next year.

I ran in the Storm the Bastille Marathon for the first time ever. First marathon as well. Bastille days is a great collective event that is geared towards bringing people together with the idea of sharing the Bastille food and culture. I am sure that this was accomplished. You don’t have to pay for admission. Bastille days is downtown in Cathedral Square. Dont know where that is? Think of Elsa’s on Park or Mikeys maybe Flannigans? Yea all of those places like half a block walking distance from Bastille Days.
The food and other things that were being sold were a little steep in terms of price. Im guessing people have to make their money back eh?
With the recent violence in our city, it was good to be in a place where it wasnt crawling with police and still feel safe. I would encourage you to not only sample the french cuisine but everything else that is offered? Take the kids and the pets have fun. Enjoy some of the free live music as well. Maybe you will run the marathon as well next year? If so find me i will be there!

Maybe I’m festivaled out by this point in the summer, but it’s hard to get too excited for Bastille Days. It’s fairly large and the music and dancers are fun to watch.
The food is top notch and excellent, but veers toward the pricier end and smaller portions. The average dish is around $ 7.50 but where else can you try some escargot while wearing flip flops and a tank top? Still, some of it is divine. The drinks are Summerfest expensive and that seems weird for a festival located by a college campus.
The vendors are also high end, especially the jewelry vendors. And there are a ton of them. There’s not enough seating for enjoying the food. Even at 11:15 on a Friday it’s crowded, especially at the end near Water Street.
Also, it seems to be less French and more Louisiana now. Don’t get me wrong, I lived in Baton Rouge for seven years and spent many a weekend in NOLA, but it’s weird to hear Cajun music juxtaposed with the Can-​Can.

Not a fan, I found it to be kind of lame. I expected much more Parisian or even just French themed foods and merchandise. Unfortunately, anything I’d consider French themed seemed to be in the minority here.

Le Meh. It always seems like it’ll be better than it is. There’s so many festivals, and this one to me is terr-​ab-​lay bad. The run is fun to watch, and there’s a bunch of music, but it’s very cramped and super disjointed. That’s not to say disorganized, but it just seems like a weird mish-​mash of vendors and foods and bands. Perhaps this isn’t for me? What the crêpe?

I like Bastille days so why did I only give it three stars? I think it’s too small. Once you walk up and down the street and associated side-​streets, that’s it. You are done. I think it should be expanded to include several more city blocks with more vendors and different things to do and see.
How about having it along Lincoln Memorial drive going North from the museum, all the way to Veterans park on both sides of the street?
I’ll still go to the festival next year. I just wish it was bigger.

I’ve conducted a scientific experiment and found it is not possible to experience Bastille Days without having fun. I won’t bore you with my research methodology. A serious Francophile might be disappointed as there isn’t much about this free festival that is authentically French, but there is a booth of French teachers so vous parlez en francais en peu, and another booth with pretty good crepes, c’est si bon. Some of the music is French influenced, zydeco, cajun, metis, and their cousins. I’ve found over the years that the music line up here has improved every year, and this year it was really excellent, considering the price of admission is nothing. For food, I’ve noticed that the vendors who were also at Summerfest have the best presentation and service, I think what’s happened is in a trial by fire process, they started out with a random bunch of teen and retired age workers in the Big Gig, and the survivors of that island are the candidates for further festival work. This creaming process results in Bastille Days getting the best of the seasoned workers, but that’s still a working theory. I think I also may have mixed metaphors in an unforgivable manner. The only (minor) problem with this festival is its own success, at its busiest times in the best weather days, the crowd can feel a bit claustrophobic, if you’re a sweaty fat guy. There’s also a minor problem with the location, the best way to enjoy this festival is to not worry about drinking and driving, or drinking and parking, or parking at all, so the bus or bike is the way to go, or rather the way to come. However, there aren’t enough safe bike racks right around here, so you may have to be a little inventive.

Meh. I feel like this festival doesn’t know what to do with itself.
It’s big, I’ll give it that — and they are very organized. Tons of garbage cans and lots of vendors of trinkets and toys. There are a couple cool local booths with Milwuakee-​esque tshirts and posters, but most are really strange items that are wildly overpriced.
I am consistently floored to see what parents pay for a lump of fuzz on strings, or a deflated balloon on a stick. The food options are also overpriced for the quantity, and the ‘french’ options are very few and far between. The main music stage is empty most of the time which is a bummer since that’s the best part, but I still think it’s fun to check out if for nothing else — people watching.
Without a doubt you’ll run into the creep of a guy with his poor lizard on a leash, see one too many wedgies and ³⁄₅ shirts will have condiments dripped down them. Just saying… it’s going downhill. IMHO.

Bastille Days? Sacrebleu! Worth it?
Quoi? Considering its free then you get what you pay for. Much like the other Milwaukee festivals Bastille days is much the same except its not at the Summerfest grounds it is downtown centered around Cathedral Park. Interesting stuff: some small French cultural items such as the Milw French Alliance, French bulldog rescue and the fortune telling were interesting. A swing and a miss: $ 20 to park, $ 6.50 for a Kronenbourg beer, $ 7 for a grilled cheese and ham sandwich. Very few French crafts or art to look at or purchase. Most vendors same junk you can buy at state fair or you local flea market. Free chatchki if you check in with Unilocal at the official Bastille days merchandise booth unless you try to claim it then no one that works there has any clue what you are talking about. And they will look at you with their best Quoi? Really? Overall if you are completely bored walk around. Otherwise it is a must miss destination, leave it to the Petit Bourgeoisie!

Bastille Days is possibly the most popular festival in Milwaukee.
The four-​day fest starts with the Stormin’ the Bastille run on Thursday night. Lots of live music, food, beer, and wine shines over the rest of the weekend.
I’m really glad this heatwave didn’t come last week and ruin the weekend.
There are several stages with live bands, can can dancers, and chef demos. There are street vendors selling jewelry, candles, bags, and many other girly things.
I don’t remember seeing a Mardi Gras style parade in past years but there was one this year on Saturday night when I attended.
You’ll find a variety of foods there, but you won’t find a variety of French food. There are very few French food items and some are borderline French. That is my only complaint.
I would definitely like to see tents from Chez Jacques, Pastiche, and Le Reve with one or two simple French street food items. I’ve had frog legs and escargot at past Bastille Days, but it is time to step it up.
Other than that, good times were had!

I ended over here Friday and Saturday had a chance to watch a few bands walk around got mesmerized by the miniature Eiffel tower? no just the Huge line long line for beignet and coffee. I really don’t get the Why??? Is it Powdered sugar on top? Or is it something else? more addictive… sniff sniff.
Plenty of people and dog watching to be done. They also had a lady with stilts performing with an assistant on a pole. I still wonder how it would be to fall from that height.
I seen many people wearing stripped shirts and beret it was a chance to walk around the whole time looking for «something to do» Did you know that under the Eiffel tower there was chalk art see picture.
Parking can be hectic but if you go later its easier to find spots verses day time.
It’s a fun festival with on going music simultaneously on 4 stages over 4 days.
Food: 4
Ambiance: 4
Service: 3
Location: 3
Value: 4

It’s America and its France cultural day. Why are 90% of the tents for food, american? Explain that to me? I had 2 options for dinner being authentic. The acrobats were cool. Some of the music wasn’t too bad and actually kinda authentic. I suppose this would be the bee’s knees if you havent been to France or know a bit of their culture.

Bastille Days is always a good time. Despite the fact that parking can be a huge pain (be warned — you may have to park up to a mile away from the festival), it is a pretty amazing FREE event. Especially if you love people watching and window shopping. They have pretty yummy food too — many local restaurants have food tents and it’s always fun to try something new.
You must get a photo by the Eiffel Tower replica — it’s pretty dang cool. The Storm The Bastille 5k is always Thursday evening, opening day of the festival. It is fun, but can be really crowded. It is a good fun run, but I don’t recommend it for the competitive runner.
I *highly* recommend visiting the Saz’s tent they set up on Jefferson over by Elsa’s for mojito. Maybe it was the atmosphere, or the bartenders, but it was most certainly one of the BEST mojitos I have ever had. Just fantastic. Wish I had one right now…
The crowd can get a little mature (i.e. really enjoying their drinks) later in the evening so I would recommend bringing kids early and let the adults have their fun later on in the evening ;)

I agree with Rachael G. Having moved here in 2011 and not going to Bastille Days, I was really anticipating going this year.
Was disappointed to find very few aspects of the night to be of French influence. Most of the food that was being served was American BBQ. Not saying I don’t love BBQ, but I came to eat French cuisine — not just only crepes & beignets.
The crowd was interesting… a mix of Summerfest types and high societies.
I was surprised to find this event sponsored by Bud Light instead of Miller Light. I also noticed many other instances of not supporting local businesses.
The music was… ok I guess. The overall quality wasn’t bad however the sound and production quality wasn’t mind blowing either.
Hope to come back next year with a change of heart and Unilocal review.

One of my favorite milwaukee summer festival, its one of the few ethnic ones that truly is a street fair as opposed to something set up on the Summerfest grounds.
Oh sure, milwaukee isn’t exactly known for its francophile roots, and some things aren’t THAT French (lately I’ve noticed a lot of cajun food there — i.e.beignets.) But it still has a nice vibe to it. Held mostly in cathedral square with the surrounding streets of downtown blocked off, you’ll find can-​can dancers, music, a giant eiffel tower, mimes (we try to avoid), fortune tellers, and a huge variety of little clothing/​jewelry/​purses etc stalls with items to purchase. (I’ve bought some of my fav things here — some take credit some only cash.)
The festivals opening on Thursday is marked by the very popular storm the Bastille 5k run. I think its one of the best 5ks in the area because it starts at 9pm as opposed to something crazy (for us non-​morning people) like 8am and with the swell of people running through the streets of downtown and the crowds coming out of the surrounding bars and restaurants, you do feel a little bit of revolutionary fervor.
My one big minus… parking! Park at the first spot you find or just plan to park in a pay lot. I used to live near here and had to park on the street – not fun.
But overall, great festival. A little wisconsin and a little france. The mint chocolate chip ice cream crêpe I had there best sums up the whole experience.

Saying Bastille Days is French, is like saying Mo’s Irish Pub is Irish.
It ain’t.
They should call Bastille Days «Multicultural festival with a slight Parisian influence days». That would be more accurate.
I went for lunch as I prefer not to stick around for drunk ass hole time. Although, even at 1pm on a Saturday, there were plenty of drunk men hollering at the can can dancers.
I ate a falafel, a beignet, cheese curds, and a crêpe with ice cream inside. The one semi french thing, the beignet, wasn’t even that good.
The vendors for the most part are selling crap items. You find half those summery dresses at summerfest/​the fair/​any summer festival.
BE AWARE of the LGBT volunteers walking around asking for a minute of your time! I am a strong supporter of lesbian and gay rights, but they wanted me to set up a monthly payment (for a human rights organization) with my credit card right then and there! I was super polite but the girl would not take no for an answer. Not a way to draw positive attention to your cause in my opinion…
If you are going to come, come for the food and the puppies. I loves dogs and they were everywhere. You bet I was donating money to the French Bulldog rescue and kissing booth!
Just don’t expect much of the food to actually be French and you won’t be disappointed!

Right next to my customer’s office is one end of the amazing Bastille Days street festival, which kicked off today and runs all weekend along Kilbourn Street from the corner of Broadway and continuing east a bit. Beautiful weather today, please stop by!
You’ll find all sorts of vendors with creative items on sale — hats, jewelry, scarves, sarongs, wood carvings, tshirts and posters. And the food from tons of local restaurants — oddly, Mexican. But loads of French– and Cajun-​themed stuff, like crepes (yum!), French cheeses, croque monsieurs, beignets and whatnot.
Of course, tons of entertainment on several different stages. A great Jazz band was playing at one. I watched the Can-​can girls for a bit, but I think I might have looked a bit like a creeper so I moved on (no, there was nothing to see. They’re all properly covered up). A mime with a hula-​hoop earned a dollar from me in her collection «hat».
Yep, there’s beer there too. And I absolutely did NOT have a beer with my French dip sandwich (go for the «loaded» with mushrooms and cheese) at lunch time. Nope. Did not have a delicious cold Stella Artois at all.
And hey, it’s totally FREE to wander and look and enjoy!

I ran Storm the Bastille with a friend last year and had a great time. This year I came with an empty stomach and enjoyed an excellent strawberries and cream crêpe. There was also some great entertainment and I simply enjoyed walking around and checking people, and vendors, out. I loved the diversity of people there, from young to old — all were there to have a good time. The guy juggling knives was crazy, and when he got on the unicycle I thought he lost his mind.
Great, entertaining evening! If you go to Bastille Days hungry there is really no way you won’t have a good time.

Bastille Days = one of MKE’s largest (FREE) outdoor street festivals.
Get your France-​y pants on, Milwaukee.
For real though: great food vendors, fab entertainment (I saw a guy juggling knives, and another juggling FIRE ON A UNICYCLE!), awesome local arts/​crafts/​stuff for purchase, etc.
It doesn’t hurt that Unilocal was there too, getting the good word out. AND WE WERE NEXT TO THE FRENCH BULLDOG RESCUE. (I die.)
Storm the Bastille, great activities for kids, a giant but not so giant as the real thing Eiffel Tower, stellar bands, and loads and loads of four-​one-​four fun. Who could ask for more?