Roulette, cabaret, bikinis — there are lots of things for which we can thank the French, but our favorite is Champagne. Raise a glass (or three) this week in celebration of Bastille Day, which is celebrated across the District with special tasting menus, galas, and of course D.C.’s traditional French maid relay race.

Bastille Day Tasting Menu
Tuesday–Sunday, July 9–14; $65 with optional $25 wine pairing
Mintwood Place (1813 Columbia Rd. NW)
Chef Cedric Maupillier celebrates his native France with a special Bastille Day tasting menu available all week at this foodie favorite in Adams Morgan. “Inspired by the French Provencal region and summertime,” the menu of anchovy flatbread, vegetable chowder with mussels, lamb ratatouille, and other fresh French fare is ripe for a wine pairing.

Bastille Day at the Embassy of France
7 PM–midnight, Friday, July 12; $110
Embassy of France (4101 Reservoir Rd. NW)
The French embassy celebrates Marseille and the French Riviera at this year’s event with cocktails (from an open bar), live jazz music, a silent auction, and food from some of D.C.’s best French restaurants, including Bistro Lepic, Café du Parc, Patissserie Poupon and more.

Bastille Day Street Bash
3–11 PM, Saturday, July 13; $6
L’Enfant Café & Bar (2000 18th St. NW) 
L’Enfant’s Bastille bash is a time-honored tradition in the District. The 18th Street festivities include a beer garden, food truck pavilion, can-can dancers, and of course the famous French maid relay race at 6 PM — followed by the masquerade street ball.

Francophile Brunch
10 AM–3 PM, Saturdays and Sundays
Le Diplomat (1601 14th St. NW)
Philadelphia restaurateur Stephen Starr’s first D.C. establishment is the perfect place to say "Santé!" Weekend brunch includes a bevy of specialty and sparkling cocktails to pair with the must-eat basket of breakfast pastries.

Annual Bastille Day Party
Sunday, July 14
Bistrot Du Coin (1738 Connecticut Ave. NW)
Strewn with decorations year-round, this campy French bistro is known for throwing a festive Bastille Day celebration every summer. The DJ usually starts spinning after dinner service ends — plan to arrive by 10 PM to secure a place in line and a glass of bubbly from the bar.

Photo via Flickr/irenetong