Break out the berets and baguettes! 

The French Film Festival has been postponed until March 18-21, 2021. The French Food Festival, originally scheduled for April 24-25, is also held off until next year. So, what’s a Francophile to do? Luckily, Richmond has several restaurants and bakeries where you can get that certain, je ne sais pas, French ambiance that you may be craving.

What better day to celebrate your love of French flair than Bastille Day? Also known as Fete Nationale, it’s the National Day of France. The holiday commemorates the storming of the Bastille and the start of the French Revolution. Whether you choose to eat cake, crepes, or maybe a macaron, it’s a great excuse to celebrate the music, food, fashion, and flamboyance of the Royal French court of Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI.

Bistro Bobette

Courtesy: Bistro Bobette via Facebook

1209 E. Cary Street / Richmond, Virginia 23219

Located in Shockoe Bottom, Bistro Bobette combines French cuisine with ingredients from local Virginia farms. The hot croque with Virginia ham gruyere bechamel sauce on toasted brioche is the perfect example. Choose from crepes, grilled tuna niçoise, tarts with brie and butternut squash, and French-baked escargots. Try the mac and cheese with bechamel parmesan, gruyere, and Swiss cheese. After all, July 14 is also National Mac and Cheese Day.   

Can Can Brasserie

french food

Courtesy: Sandy Allen

3120 W. Cary Street / Richmond, Virginia 23221

Between the fresh-baked breads, bustling bar, and casually elegant decor, Can Can Brasserie has been a Carytown favorite for years. In previous years, Can Can dancers have performed during for the Bastille Day celebration.

French favorites include escargot, boeuf bourguignon, and chicken cordon bleu as well as salmon and seafood dishes. Daily specials range from veal pot au feu with potatoes and vegetables to Alsatian chicken and sole Meniere with spinach, garlic, and butter poached potatoes. The dessert menu features crepes Suzette, profiteroles, and crème brulee.     

Les Crepes

crepes

Courtesy: Sandy Allen

Carytown and Stony Point Fashion Park

If you’re craving crepes, whether sweet or savory,  Les Crepes is the place to be. There's lovely outdoor seating on the patio and the porch. Sweet crepe choices include Nutella, tiramisu, and Oreo cookie. If you’re in a breakfast mood, try ham and cheese or poached egg crepes and berries French toast. For a savory meal, choices include lobster and crab, vegetarian, lasagna, and a curry lamb crepe with curry sauce and mango pineapple chutney.

Mon Chou Patisserie

macarons

Courtesy: Mon Chou via Facebook

306 E. Grace Street / Richmond, Virginia 23219

Madeleines, macarons, and tarts. Oh my! Mon Chou specializes in sweet treats and French pastries such as eclairs, canelés, and exquisitely decorated cakes.

Red Cap Patisserie

Red Cap Patisserie

Courtesy: Red Cap Patisserie via Facebook

719 N. Meadow Street / Richmond, Virginia 23220

The next time you’re in the Fan (whether it’s Bastille Day or not), stop into Red Cap Patisserie for French and European baked goods and house-made chocolates. Try a French-Canadian toutiere (a pastry pie filled with chicken, shredded pork, or seared beef) or a gruyere strata. Just try choosing from chocolate croissants, caramel nut clusters, lemon blueberry scones, and kouign-amann.

Whisk

macarons

Courtesy: Whisk via Facebook

2100 E. Main Street / Richmond, Virginia 23223

When you’re in the mood for macarons, give Whisk a call. Flavors include mint chip, coffee, honey ginger, and Mexican hot chocolate.

Not feeling up to donning a mask and dining on-site? Order take-out and make it a movie night with Marie and Louis. Some revolutionary French movies, costume dramas, and documentaries to try:

  • Marie Antoinette, 2006 (Prime and Xfinity)
  • Farewell, My Queen, 2012 (Prime)
  • The Affair of the Necklace, 2001 (Prime and Xfinity)
  • One Nation, One King, 2018 (Prime and Xfinity)
  • The Rise and Fall of Versailles, 2008 (Prime)
  • The Secret Versailles of Marie Antoinette, 2018 (Prime and Xfinity)

Did we mention your favorite French restaurant or bakery? Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments.