To commemorate Bastille Day, the National Day of France, the city held an event at Beverly Canon Gardens on July 16 that celebrated French food, music, dance, and magic. The city’s first -ever Bastille Day (which is actually on July 14) event was sponsored with the Consul General of France in Los Angeles, Julie Duhaut-Bedos. The garden was crowded with attendees who donned red for the occasion, eagerly waiting in lines at tables selling a variety of French baked goods and pastries like croissants, macarons, eclairs, madeleines, beignets and more. Entertainment included music from French DJ Djemel, a magic show by a member of the Magic Castle, Patricia Magicia, breakdance and Double Dutch routines performed by the CWest crew.
“This Bastille Day event taking place in Beverly Hills makes perfect sense first because of the long and lasting friendship between France and the United States,” said Duhaut-Bedos. “I’d like to remind our American friends that France is the U.S.’s oldest ally. It also makes sense because of the Sister Cities agreement between Beverly Hills and Cannes, France, and because the French residence, where the consulate general hosts all the events, is in Beverly Hills. In fact, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the acquisition of the French residence by the French government, and the strong ties of friendship between Beverly Hills and France, and the city’s interest in the culture of France, are obvious when you walk around the city.”
Duhaut-Bedos highlighted the “Beverly Hills is Beautiful” sculpture by French artist Mr. Brainwash at the opposite end of the gardens, which the city commissioned in 2019 as part of the Beverly Hills Public Art Program. Its companion piece, “Life is Beautiful,” is nearby on Rodeo Drive. Earlier this year, the artist also opened the Mr. Brainwash Art Museum on North Beverly Drive. “We are so proud to have a French artist honored this way in Beverly Hills,” she said.
“On Bastille Day, we celebrate the French Republic and its values summarized in our motto: liberty, equality, fraternity,” Duhaut-Bedos said. “Seeing so many American friends today celebrating Bastille Day with us reveals something of which I am personally convinced, that Bastille Day is also a moment to celebrate the wonderful and old friendship between France and the United States and our shared values.”
Duhaut-Bedos also described her office’s efforts to help establish connections between French and American people, and work to increase the number of French teaching programs in American schools through an initiative called French for All.
“Founded on shared values of freedom and on the defense of democracy, our countries are both preparing to build a common future,” she added. “And in many, many sectors, France and the U.S. are ready to work together and lead the way.”
