Bastille my beating heart!
(I couldn’t resist)
A holiday known by another name.
July 14 is known by those who do not live in France as Bastille Day. The French refer to it as la Fête Nationale, or “the National Holiday.” (More formally referred to as le Quatorze Julillet, (14 July). It is important because it is the day, in 1789, when Parisian revolutionaries stormed the Bastille fortress and freed the prisoners.
The Bastille Fortress becomes a state prison.
Designed to be a fortress to help stall an attack on Paris from the east, it began as a massive gate which consisted of a thick wall and two 75-foot towers. By the end of 1383, it had evolved into a rectangular fortress with eight towers and a moat. The same attributes that made the Bastille a great fortress translated into an effective state prison, but wasn’t used as one until the 17th century. King Louis XIII used the Bastille to jail his monarch’s enemies, (with out a trial), and would hold up to 55 prisoners inside at any given time.
A Few Little Known Facts About Bastille Day
Thomas Jefferson was a strong supporter of the Bastille ‘incident’ and gave the widows of those killed in taking the Bastille 60 francs.
When the Bastille was destroyed, its pieces were scattered across the globe by souvenir collectors.
Several dates were considered when choosing a date for a French national holiday. After much debate, it was decided to be July 14 because it married two very important anniversaries; 1789’s attack on the Bastille and 1790’s peaceful and unifying Festival of the Federation. In choosing this date, the senate gave all citizens the chance to decide for themselves which event they would rather celebrate. Senator Henri Martell preferred July 14, 1790, saying that it was “the most beautiful day in the history of France, possibly in the history of mankind. It was on that day that national unity was finally accomplished.”
There is a key to the Bastille at Mount Vernon–The Marquis de Lafayette, became the commander of the Paris National Guard the day after the Bastille event. After the storming of the prison, he was given a key to the building which he passed on to George Washington as a ‘thank you’ and also to be a symbol of the new revolution. The key still resides at Mount Vernon today.
In honor of Bastille Day, we are having Red, White and Blue Crepes– (crepes filled with raspberries, blueberries and whipped cream). They are easy to make and are a wonderfully light and scrumptious way to start the day.
Basic Crepe Batter
Batter can be used immediately. However, an hour or two standing will produce slightly more tender crepes. Or, refrigerate batter up to three days for use as needed.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
INSTRUCTIONS
Place ingredients in blender container in order given. Blend 30 seconds, stop and stir down sides. Blend 30-60 seconds until smooth. Or, mix in bowl with wire whisk or mixer, first combining flour and eggs, adding liquid gradually, Beat until smooth, add other ingredients.
Fill cooked crepes with fresh raspberries, blueberries and freshly whipped cream. I use 100% pure, Grade A Amber maple syrup to sweeten the cream. Serve filled crepes with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Until next time,
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