Bastille Day in Belfast – Celebrate French Culture at The Harrison
At The Harrison Chambers of Distinction, we bring stories to life — and Bastille Day is the perfect occasion to honour Belfast’s unique connection with France. This summer, join us for an elegant evening of music, history, and French-inspired hospitality.
🥖 A French Connection in Belfast
In the late 1700s, Captain John McCracken, a Belfast wine merchant trading between Belfast and Bordeaux, cultivated a love of France, its language, and its revolutionary ideals. Despite having once been held prisoner in France, he had his children, including Henry Joy McCracken, educated by Belfast’s only native French speaker.
When the French Revolution erupted, Belfast’s reformers rejoiced. In 1791, citizens of Belfast marched through the streets on Bastille Day, celebrated with portraits of Benjamin Franklin, and sent a declaration of support to France’s National Assembly. The French reply was stirring:
“Citizens of Belfast... you have celebrated that Triumph of the human mind… we swear to preserve it in our archives.”
🎺 Django – A Hot Club Bastille Brunch at The Harrison
📍 Location: Napoleon’s Nose Bar, The Harrison, Belfast
📅 Date: Sunday, 13th July 2025
🕰️ Time: Brunch / Lunch
Celebrate Bastille Day in true Parisian style at our intimate, French-themed bar. Inspired by the spirit of Django Reinhardt, this chic celebration features live “Hot Club” jazz, French canapés, and an atmosphere worthy of a 1930s Montmartre café.
🎷 What to Expect:
🎶 Live French Jazz – From gypsy swing to classic chanson
🥂 Bastille-Themed Apéritifs – Kir Royales, Pastis, and French 75s
🧀 Elegant French Canapés & Sharing Plates
🕯️ Candlelit French Ambiance – Parisian bohemia in the heart of Belfast
Whether you're a dedicated Francophile or simply looking for a stylish and culturally rich experience, this is a night to remember.
🛏 Make It a Night to Stay
Why not extend your evening with a stay in one of our French-inspired rooms?
🎼 The Valentine Rennie Room – The Harper’s Room
Honouring the 1792 Belfast Harp Festival, once celebrated in parallel with Bastille Day.
🎨 The Helen Trevor Room
A tribute to the Irish painter who studied and exhibited in Paris — think elegance, art, and European grace.
📖 The Oscar Wilde Suite
Channel Wilde’s wit and Parisian decadence — he spent his final years in the City of Light.
Each room features luxurious beds, chandeliers, antique furnishings, and narrative design that invites you to live the story.
🎟️ Booking Details
Date: Sunday, 13th July 2025
Time: From late morning (brunch/lunch)
Location: Napoleon’s Nose Bar at The Harrison
Reservations needed
Overnight Stay: Limited rooms available — book early
