As the French represent the largest community of non-Belgian residents in the country — almost 200,000 people of French origin living here — various events are being organised on Thursday 14 July, the southern country's national day.
On Thursday, the French will be celebrating Bastille Day, marking the day of the storming of the Bastille, which signalled the first victory of the people of Paris against a symbol of the "Ancien Régime" or Old Regime, a key moment in the French revolution. For this occasion, a traditional military parade takes place on the Champs-Elysées in Paris, followed by fireworks and other events across the country.
However, the festivities are not restricted to the French country borders, and as was the case in previous years, celebrations will also take place in Belgium.
"14 July is our bank holiday where we celebrate the values that unite us: freedom, equality and fraternity. It is not, however, a time for national retreat but rather a day on which France and the French reaffirm their openness to the world," the Ambassador of France to Belgium, François Sénémaud, said on Thursday.
What is being done in Brussels?
Despite being home to a large group of French nationals, celebrations in Brussels are usually more low-key.
Not so much a celebration in itself, but more of a symbolic gesture for the day, the Manneken-Pis in the centre of Brussels will once again wear his French attire throughout the day on Thursday. The little man will be wearing a suit with beret and baguette, offered by the Embassy of France.
Manneken Pis in a French costume. Credit: Wikimedia commons
Also in Brussels, as part of a series to (re)discover the filmography of Fanny Ardant, a unique French actress, CINEMATEK in the Bozar museum will be screening"L'Amour à mort" at 15:00 on Thursday for French people who are looking to delve into the country's arts and culture history.
In the afternoon, the real celebrations will start at the guinguette in Forest Park. As was the case in previous years, French families will gather here to drink an aperitif and play board games with other fellow compatriots.
Looking for a more intimate or relaxed way to honour Bastille day? There are plenty of restaurants in Brussels that honour French cuisine and where you can enjoy a special National Day dinner, including a more modern taste at Artisauce at the heart of Ixelles, or at Bonsoir Clara on Rue Antoine Dansaert.
Bigger celebrations further afield
If Brussels is on the smaller end of the spectrum when it comes to celebration, Liège finds itself on the complete other side. The city is famed for its large-scale celebrations of the French bank holiday for more than 75 years.
Around 50 volunteers work to make the event happen every year. In the morning, a ceremony is organised from 10:00 at the Robermont cemetery, where flowers are laid down. This is followed by a ceremony at the "National Monument to the Resistance" at noon.
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The group then meets at the Côté Cour - Côté Jardin restaurant for a meal and a game of pétanque before starting the real celebrations at the BOVARIA restaurant in the Parc de la Boverie from 18:30 onwards.
Later, entertainment will be organised near the Meuse (between Boulevard Frère Orban and the Ravel), where a puppet theatre show will be organised, followed by a ball musette, a nod to the French tradition. Live music will be played before a DJ set starts at 23:00.
The famous fireworks show will begin at 22:45 and will see around 10,000 fireworks being showcased in 15 minutes. "The best places to admire it are the Boulevard Frère Orban and the Albert Bridge," the organisers said.
