For nearly a decade and a half, Reading’s Bastille Day Festival has quietly blossomed into one of the town’s most distinctive cultural celebrations – a vibrant fusion of French history, music, cuisine and community.
At its helm is a team led by Vincent Valère, whose passion and tenacity have transformed what started as a modest concept into an important fixture in Reading’s summer calendar.
The two-day event takes place in Forbury Gardens between 11am and 5pm on Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13 – entry is free, and there will be a wide range of attractions to enjoy, ensuring there is something for all ages.
There will be a battle re-enactment from the group Historia Normannis; Baroque Music with Magic Fight 1789; and one of the most French dances of all time, Sandy Maya’s Dance World French Can-Can.
Other performances will come from French band Cidre et Bière, Guinguette, Élodie Siby, and Maloé.
There will be an art exhibition featuring the 1789 Révolution French.
Add in a fun fair and French food and wine, plus some surprises and you have an event to remember.
This is the 14th event that Vincent and his team of volunteers have organised, and it should be little surprise that a lot of work goes into it. And Vincent is on hand to ensure everything goes smoothly.
“Each year, I can’t sleep the night before.”
For Vincent, the journey is as emotional as it is operational. “On the night before the event, I struggle to sleep,” he confesses.
“I book a hotel in town just in case something goes wrong. I stay close to everything – it’s my way of making sure I’m ready.”
On the opening morning of the festival, he begins with a quiet ritual.
“Around 6am or 7am, it’s just me in Forbury Gardens with my coffee and the gardener doing his thing. That’s my moment. I stand there in the middle thinking, yes, this is going to be a great, great event, it is really something special.
“I would like to say thank you to Reading to have the opportunity to hold the Bastille Day Festival. I know they expect it and they expect more and more, but I’m ready.”
He’s not wrong about the popularity and the expectations that people have for this little bit of France in Reading. Families, friends and French people return year after year to enjoy a flavour of life from our Gallic cousins … all without us crossing La Manche.
It’s important for Vincent that the event is held in Reading’s Forbury Gardens, as it is centrally located and accessibility has always been a priority.
“I’m really happy holding it there – everyone knows it,” Vincent explains. “Families can easily get in, it’s easy for access and functionally, and, for me, it helps me have a better overview of what’s happening.”
But the real magic lies in the transformation of the park itself, Vincent and his team are working hard to ensure that the memories will linger long after the event.
“This year we’re recreating a village complete with 12 themed tents tracing French history, from medieval times right up to the Revolution in 1789. One of the main things is we will feature a guillotine demonstration,” Vincent says, promising that the event will be educational as well as entertaining.
Not Just a Market – Reading Bastille Day festival is a movement
Bastille Day in France is held to mark the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris on July 14, 1789. Originally built in the 14th century as a stronghold from which to protect Paris from invasion, it had been turned into a prison.
The storming of the Bastille is considered to be the start of the French Revolution, the French Republic and French democracy. As such, July 14 has been a national holiday in France since 1860, and activities include parades, fireworks, parties, concerts, and picnics.
The Reading event is an attempt to share some of that experience with a British audience.
“In France, it’s a national celebration of 1789: equality, freedom and brotherhood. It is celebrated all over the world,” Vincent says, adding that with the Reading version, what began as a handful of stalls has evolved into a full-scale cultural showcase.
The event’s success has drawn interest from far and wide, no doubt helped by Reading being at the end of the Elizabeth Line, making it easy for people to travel to the Berkshire town.
“Every year, we get better,” Vincent says of the festival’s growing reputation. “Parents bring their children on Saturday, and they are so happy, they want to come back on Sunday … they are outside, they can play games and do what they want. Parents see that their children are happy, and that’s important.”
“We now have stallholders who’ve heard about Bastille Day in Reading for years. Some have even come from France to take part,” Vincent says. “And increasingly, visitors are travelling from London, choosing our celebration over others.”
That’s quite the feather in Vincent’s cap and a testament to his organisational skills. People want to enjoy the event.
While the event will be a happy occasion with visitors enjoying a brilliant day out, with so much entertainment to enjoy, things to learn and that all-important French cuisine, behind the scenes, it is all systems go.
The event now enjoys the support of councillors, local businesses, and key partners including John Lewis and the Abbey Quarter Business District, which oversees the area of Reading that Forbury Gardens is in.
This backing ensures entry is free, and that the Bastille Day festival is firmly part of the town’s DNA, another celebration of the many diverse communities that make Reading the cosmopolitan destination that is the envy of many.
MORE CHEESELOGS: What to expect at Reading Bastille Day Festival
“Because it’s held in a public park, we’re not allowed to charge admission,” says Vincent. “But even if we could, I’d want to keep it accessible. Maybe one day we’ll accept donations, but right now, sharing this with the community is what matters most.”
What to Expect This Year
So, why should people attend?
“It’s unique,” Vincent says. “There are few – if any – French festivals like this in Berkshire. We offer historic reenactments, music, food, wine, and entertainment for all ages. Whether you stay all day or just drop by for five minutes, my goal is for you to leave feeling uplifted.”
The Bastille Day Festival takes place between 11am and 5pm on July 12-13 in Forbury Gardens, Reading. Entry is free.
For families, Francophiles, and the simply curious, it’s a chance to experience the spirit of France right in the heart of Berkshire.
I want to find out more about Reading Bastille Day
There is a website set up by the Reading Bastille Day team at http://www.bastilledayreading.co.uk/
There is also more information on the What’s On Reading website.
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