^{_{Americans celebrate their independence on July 4, but the French wait until the 14th. Bastille Day, as it is called in the United States, commemorates storming of the Bastille and the start of the French Revolution – the beginning of France as a secular republic.}}

_{^{"Actually, the French are often amused by Americans who call it ‘Bastille Day’; in France, it’s called the ‘14th of July,’" says Judith Miller, associate professor in the Department of History at Emory University, who teaches French history and calls France "her country of adoption."}}

_{^{Miller explains that although the taking of the Bastille in 1789 was an important early moment in the French Revolution, and a commemorative parade called the Festival of Federation was held the following year, it wasn’t until almost 100 years later that the 14th of July became a national holiday.}}

_{^{Now, the 14th of July is celebrated with military parades, called defiles du 14 juillet –the largest of which takes place on the Champs-Elyees and includes horses, tanks, floats and military planes flying overhead. Oftentimes firemen organize parties with dancing and music by a local band, too. Of course no independence celebration would be complete without fireworks!}}

_{^{Just because the United States does not officially celebrate the 14th of July does not mean you can’t take advantage of the holiday by eating delicious French cuisine. Here’s a list of some of the best French restaurants in the area.}}

_{^{Cafe Alsace
121 E. Ponce De Leon Ave., (404) 373-5622; www.cafealsace.net
A cozy, casual French restaurant in downtown Decatur, Cafe Alsace will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Bastille Day. Chef Sylvain Lefort, a native of Orleans, France, and co-founder Benedicte Ulas Cooper, a native of Colmar, Alsace, will create a price fixe menu for the momentous day; and a week of a la carte specials will follow the occasion.}}

_{^{French American Brasserie
30 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd., (404) 266-1440; www.fabatlanta.com
New to Atlanta, French American Brasserie will honor Bastille Day with festive decorations (think balloons and garlands) and live music (an accordion player). The regular menu – with highlights like the Armagnac duck pate, torchon au foie gras and Tahitian vanilla creme brule – will be served. Cheesy? Maybe. But what better excuse to try a new eatery?}}

_{^{Joel
3290 Northside Pkwy., (404) 233-3500; www.joelrestaurant.com
Simple and chic, JoÎl is the namesake restaurant of Chef JoÎl Antunes. With his extensive culinary experience in Paris and the South of France, Antunes created a menu featuring seared scallops leek confit with truffle and banyuls vinegar sauce, and breast of duck with polenta, pear and cinnamon sauce.}}

_{^{Petite Auberge
2935 N. Druid Hills Rd., (404) 634-6268; www.petiteauberge.com
Family owned and operated, Petite Auberge has been serving continental French cuisine for more than 30 years. In celebration of Bastille Day, the restaurant will have a special menu July 12-21, featuring entrees like sole meuniere, cote de porc chasseur and filet de boeuf a la nicoise.}}

_{^{The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead
3434 Peachtree Rd., (404) 237-2700
Although The Dining Room will not be offering anything special for Bastille Day, no roundup of French restaurants would be complete without mentioning the recipient of the AAA Five-Diamond Award and one of only 16 restaurants in the United States to receive the 2007 Mobil Five-Star rating.}}

_{^{Trois
1180 Peachtree St., (404) 815-3337; www.trois3.com
A stylish destination serving approachable, modern French cuisine, Trois will be offering a special three-course menu for $35 per person the entire month of July. On Bastille Day, the triple-level restaurant will host a party with complimentary cake and champagne in the bar area. A King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette impersonation contest will be held, and winners will receive a $500 gift card to use at the bar that night.}}

_{^{Anis Cafe & Bistro
2974 Grandview Ave. (404) 233-9889
www.anisbistro.com}}  

_{^{Au Pied de Cochon, InterContinental Buckhead
3315 Peachtree Rd., (404) 946-9000; www.aupieddecochonatlanta.com}}

_{^{Babette's Cafe
573 N. Highland Ave., (404) 523-9121
www.babettescafe.com}}  

_{^{Les Fleurs De Lis Cafe
57 Forsyth St., (404) 230-9151; www.lesfleursdeliscafe.com}}

_{^{Nikolai's Roof
255 Courtland St., (404) 221-6362; www.nikolaisroof.com}}

_{^{Soleil Nu Bistro
3081 Maple Drive, (404) 467-1790; www.soleilbistro.com}}

_{^{The Supper Club
308 W. Ponce De Leon Ave., Ste. H; (404) 370-1207}}

_{^{Toulouse
2293 Peachtree Rd., (404) 351-9533; www.toulouserestaurant.com}}

_{^{Violette
2948 Clairmont Rd., (404) 633-3363; www.violetterestaurant.com}}