Nothing makes a French beignet taste better at Bastille Days than working for it!  That’s why the Alliance Française de Milwaukee, in partnership with the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, is promoting biking to Bastille Days from July 9-July 12, 2009.  The French are renowned for being a biking culture, and as Wisconsin’s only French cultural center we are working to promote some biking zeal right here in Milwaukee.

Bike to Bastille will encourage Milwaukee residents to avoid the hassles of parking, and enjoy the pleasures of biking to the nation’s largest Bastille Days celebration.  Festival goers can also stop in to the Alliance Francaise Cultural Tent, and enter to win a Jamis Commuter 1 Road Bike donated by Cory the Bike Fixer.

Be truly French and celebrate Bastille Days with the Alliance Française. After you have one of the Alliance’s traditional, delicately, sweet beignets at their Beignet Stand, come visit their Cultural Tent which is offering many new cultural demonstrations and events this year.

There will be a Pétanque demonstration held on Cathedral Square right outside the cultural tent, on Jackson Street near the Cathedral, at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 11.  Michel and Marge Combe will be supplying the Pétanque balls and giving the demonstration. Pétanque is the French equivalent of Italy’s Bocce Ball. Everyday, there will also be caricaturists on hand to render you à la French, if you like.

Inside the Alliance tent, Larry’s Market will be giving a demonstration on cooking with fine French olive oils and selling an array of olive oil as well. There will also be French genealogists to guide you on finding out more about your French heritage. Canadian author Alice Kegley will be speaking about her French heritage and selling her autobiographical book “Alphonsine”. A French soap maker will be selling her soaps and talking about the fine art of soap making. Authentic French gift items will be on sale from the shop, Monmartre. And don’t forget to have your picture taken as the Mona Lisa or Marie Antoinette. Free French mini-lessons will also be offered throughout the day. Bring the entire family for fun. Children can play French games, including “Pin the Wig on Marie Antoinette”.

For a schedule of event times, please contact the Alliance Française at 414-964-3855 or visit their website, www.afmilwaukee.org