Bastille Day may not be a public holiday in Mauritius, but for the French expat community, July 14th remains a symbolic and festive date. Even without fireworks on the Champs-Élysées or a military parade, there’s always a good reason to celebrate — island style!🎉
On Sunday, July 13, we headed to Telfair, the brand-new neighborhood in Moka, for Telfair Telle Fête — an event organized by the French Embassy in Mauritius and the Institut Français de Maurice.
The best part? It was free and open to all — a fun and welcoming celebration for locals, expats, families, and anyone with a soft spot for France.
A giant republican picnic, complete with vichy tablecloths, cheese platters (of course!), and even tartiflette — yes, in the tropics! For those less into melted cheese, there were also amazing burgers.
The entertainment included marching bands, street performers, parades, parkour demos, and salsa and bachata workshops.
Kids had their share of fun too with bouncy castles, face painting, Eiffel Tower coloring stations, mural painting, fishing games and more!
Cotton candy and popcorn stands added the final touch to this sweet afternoon.
And to top it all off: a live concert by the Mauritian police orchestra under a warm Indian summer breeze.
For many French expats, this kind of event means more than just music and food.
It’s a way to reconnect with French culture, share traditions with their kids (even in flip-flops!), and feel part of a wider community — even 10,000 km away from home.
No worries! Many people host 14 July gatherings at home —
– Poolside apéros with champagne or local rum
– French-themed dinners with cheese, charcuterie, and wine
– Or a relaxed barbecue with friends, kids running around, and maybe some nostalgic French music in the background
Even without fireworks, we had sun, laughter, and a whole lot of tricolor joy.
Celebrating Bastille Day in Mauritius is a unique blend of French pride and island vibes — and honestly, what more could we ask for? 🇫🇷💙🤍❤️
👉 Be sure to follow the Embassy of France in Mauritius and the French Institute of Mauritius to make sure you don’t miss any upcoming events!
👉 If you want to meet and network in Mauritius, here’s the link to my article
