Mayor of Randwick, Noel D’Souza, together with the French Consul General M. Nicolas Croizer, will host a private Bastille Day celebration at Laperouse Monument and Museum, commemorating the beginning of the French Revolution with the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789.

Hosted by Randwick City Council, the annual Bastille Day celebrations aim to highlight the importance of the French based here in Randwick City and the ideals Bastille Day represents to the French people, both here and overseas.

La Perouse remains a significant link to the French people, as the landing place of Laperouse’s ships on what we now know as Frenchmans Bay.  The headland still features the Laperouse Monument which commemorates Laperouse’s arrival as well as the iconic Laperouse Museum which documents Laperouse’s expedition to Australia and Indigenous stories of the area.

Mayor of Randwick, Noel D’Souza, acknowledged that Randwick City is one of the oldest council areas in NSW and that sites like La Perouse helped to shape Australia’s history and forge strong links with France.

“We have a thriving French community here in Randwick City and we have a proud connection with France.  Maroubra boasts Sydney’s only French school, the International French School, which has over 800 students enrolled.

“The storming of the Bastille symbolises the pursuits of freedom, equality and democracy.  These are three ideals we also value as Australians and this further strengthens our bond with the French,” said Mayor D’Souza.

The Randwick City Council Bastille Day celebrations are held in partnership with the La Perouse and Headland Trust Inc and The Friends of the Laperouse Muesum Inc.