Bastille Day on 60th Street

3.5
Tips for those who haven’t been before:
1. Each block sells roughly the same thing, lemonade, croissants, macarons, crepes, gyros, books. It really depends on which bakery you would like your pastries from.
2. The busiest section/​block is one where the FIAF building is located.
3. Walk on the sidewalks and not in the middle of the street.

I think the problem is that I already have excellent French food options in my own hood, for cheaper. Food looked good, but no way was I paying what they were asking. Aside from the plethora of macarons and some half-​hearted tricolor bunting, little more than a cheek-​by-​jowl street fair.
(P.S. — Would be five stars if Chef Ansel brought cronuts)

A decent festival with food, a little music, and lots of people. No, it didn’t make me feel like I was in France.
There were many stands offering crepes, lemonade, merguez sausages, french fries, sweet potato fries, or french pastries (macarons, tarts, eclairs etc). A few stands selling books in French, a face painter, one mime, and a few people dressed in red, white, and blue.
I think mostly good to come for crepes, pastries, enter raffles, or stroll around.
Vive la Révolution! Vive la France!

I love Bastille Day! The great thing about attending this festival is you really feel like you’re in France.
*I’ve never been to France but just go with me on this, ok?*
I haven’t been in a couple of years but the times I’ve gone has been pretty damn cool. I go there hungry because you have vendors from many, many French restaurants just happy to fill you up. I had crepes and this AMAZING sandwich with glazed duck and bacon. OMG… it was heavenly and the first time I had duck that was not cooked Chinese style. Don’t forget the desserts either!
Don’t forget the huge collection of clothing and the tons of art… I’m talking sculptures, paintings, photography. My friend Mike bought an oil painting of a street in France for a steal. If you enjoy fine art but you can’t really afford buying from a gallery or private owner, go to 60^th St. on Bastile Day. you won’t regret it.
The French music was playing all around us and if you’re a romantic, this event will step up that game for real.
FYI — If you’re going for crepes, keep your eyes open because the crepes line is always long.
See you on 60^th Street in 2013

I know this is late but I loved the Bastille Day Street fair this year! It was my first time going and unfortunately, right now that is the closest I will get to going to France. I’ve been dying to try macarons and I was happy to be in macaron heaven! So many different flavors to choose from! Needless to say, I officially love macaroons now. There were so many great food items to choose from as well such as croissants, crepes, and other French Pastries. They also had sandwiches in case you don’t have a sweet tooth.
I went to FIAF’s cheese and wine tasting inside their building on 60^th street. It was $ 20 dollars for 4 wine tastings, 1 cocktail, and a cheese plate. It was totally worth it! I had a blast that day, I just wish the weather was better. The heat and the crowds made it at some points unbearable [seek refuge indoors at the cheese and wine tasting. ;)]

Oo la la! French pastries galore! This is a must-​see festival for those who love everything about the French culture. For those who don’t know what Bastille Day is, it is the French National Day (La Fête Nationale) on July 14. As with any national holidays, it is a day of eating and drinking. I came here mainly for the pastries: macarons, strawberry and lemon tarts, éclairs, etc. The festival runs from Park to 5^th ave on E 60^th st. There are over 50 vendors from various local French patisseries and caterers. My favorite was the Payard boulangerie. Eclairs and tarts were $ 4 each but were very scrumptious.(Note: Definitely a plus when a good looking French guy is packing it in the box for you. (haha!)) I also tried the «French Hot Dog», which is basically sausage stuffed with olives on a baguette. For $ 8 each, I thought it was a bit on the expensive side. Sorry but I still prefer my Nathan’s hot dog. Coming here definitely makes me want to go back to Paris. There’s a certain je né sais quoi about the French culture that I can’t seem to pinpoint.

The street fair was packed with vendors selling delectable sweet treats and charged with live music. There was even face painting for les enfants and L’Occitane products pour moi :)
Last Sunday was the first time I ever attended the Bastille Day street fair. It’s a fun and lively event. The crowd is pretty thick, the lines to feast on crepes, macaroons, tart, and other French delights were quite long. But all in all it was a nice event. On my way home, I even stopped by to check out the Brooklyn Bastille Day festivities on Smith Street. It seems that the city was abuzz with activities honoring French independence.

I love Bastille Day just because of FIAF’s festival. The street essentially turns into a little France for one day. You can always find great croissants, macarons and crepes, then go to Central Park and enjoy them. The next best thing to being in France!

Macarons! Baguettes! Crepes!
I have attended this street festival honoring Bastille Day here in NYC for many years now. The food is always terrific. The weather was sunny and beautiful out. The macarons were amazing as always.
And, as always, the crowd was overbearing and annoying. Whoa! Talk about inconsiderate tourists who don’t understand how to move aside or what personal space is! This street fair is always packed, and if you are the type that can’t stand crowds this is not the place for you. You literally have to fight and push aside people to get from one food stand to the other. Too many people gawking at everything and taking pictures, blocking your way, but not buying anything. For the love of God, would people with kids in baby carriages please stop coming to these festivals? All they do is block up the pathways strolling along at a snails pace, or running into the back of your ankles with these over-​sized rolling baby cribs. Take it onto the sidewalks already people. The rest of us would like to get by. Stop insisting on shoving your kids down our throats!
Now that my rant is over, I can say I did enjoy the festival for the most part. Live music, waiter race contests, and yummy food. The crepes were awesome — I had a banana and nutella which I scarfed down instantly. Also had a steak sandwich from Bistro Chat Noir that for only $ 6 was a great deal, and along with a beet salad for $ 4 made for a nice lunch. Had the most amazing macarons from Macaron Café. There was a little bit of everything French here. Baquette stands, macarons, desserts and pastries, crepes, sandwiches, drinks, you name it. If you are willing to fight through the crowd and be patient you can sample some wonderful foods. Spent a few hours there and then bailed out.
All in all, it is a decent festival to go to for a few hours on a nice day, sample some tasty treats, but not to spend that much more time there. Many more options on a weekend day in the city away from annoying touristy crowds.