French Ambassador Michel Miraillet hosted more than 1,400 guests at his embassy's annual Fête Nationale Bastille Day celebration held in Ottawa on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Photo by Lindsay Germano
Fireworks, Edith Piaf and a farewell: France celebrates Bastille Day in Ottawa
Every Bastille Day celebration is a toast to France.
This year, it also became a farewell.
French Ambassador Michel Miraillet hosted his final National Day reception before wrapping up his four-year posting to Canada next month, giving guests one last opportunity to honour a diplomat admired for strengthening ties between France and Canada.
More than 1,400 guests gathered Tuesday on the lovely lawn outside the embassy for its annual garden party. The crowd enjoyed French food, beverages and music in an idyllic setting. With temperatures climbing into the low 30s and much higher with the humidex, let’s just say the French custom of greeting with multiple cheek kisses was a little stickier than usual. Many guests welcomed bottled water and watermelon.
Attendees included Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Edith Dumont, the first Francophone to hold the office, and Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Richard Wagner.
Business leaders in attendance included RBC regional president Devinder Gill. The Canadian bank was one of the event’s major sponsors. Also spotted were University of Ottawa president and vice-chancellor Marie-Eve Sylvestre and Ottawa MP Mona Fortier, parliamentary secretary to Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand.
From left, RBC’s Ye Lu, Vir Advani, Lu Gao, Nesrine Taylor, Yasser Ghazi, Glenn Sheen, RBC regional president Devinder Gill, Ray Rashed, Mila Starodoub, Daniel Thiruganaratnapathy, Steven Brougham, Yanlin Pan, Jason Yuasa, Xin Cindy Zhang, Christopher Ouimet and Lara Meadows at the French embassy’s Fête Nationale Bastille Day celebration. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Richard Wagner and his wife, Quebec Superior Court Justice Catherine Mandeville, at the French embassy’s Fête Nationale Bastille Day celebration. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, University of Ottawa president and vice-chancellor Marie-Eve Sylvestre and Roseann Runte, a former president and vice-chancellor of Carleton University, at the French embassy’s Fête Nationale Bastille Day celebration. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Ottawa—Vanier—Gloucester MP Mona Fortier, parliamentary secretary to Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, and French Ambassador Michel Miraillet posed for a photo next to the French flag at the embassy’s Fête Nationale Bastille Day celebration. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Paul Genest, senior vice president at Power Corporation, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Edith Dumont and her husband, Tony Viscardi, at the French embassy’s Fête Nationale Bastille Day celebration. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Addressing the crowd, Miraillet described July 14 as far more than a national holiday marking the storming of the Bastille in 1789. Referencing Victor Hugo, he said it is also a celebration of liberty and a reminder that freedom must be defended every day. The values at the heart of Bastille Day — democracy, the rule of law and the active participation of free and equal citizens — are ones shared by both France and Canada, he added.
“We need only look at the events of recent months around the world to see that, far from being just empty words, these aspirations remain as relevant and meaningful today as ever,” said Miraillet, switching seamlessly between French and English.
He spoke proudly about the growing relationship between France and Canada, pointing to closer cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, scientific research, security, energy and culture.
“While the past has given France and Canada many reasons to share a common understanding, the immediate future presents just as many opportunities for our countries to become closer,” he added.
French Ambassador Michel Miraillet welcomed more than 1,400 guests to the embassy’s annual Fête Nationale Bastille Day celebration held Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Miraillet’s remarks reflected what many guests appreciate most about his four years in Canada.
“He has been a sophisticated ambassador who understands the multifaceted layers of diplomacy, from arts and culture through trade and geopolitics,” Paul Genest, senior vice president at Power Corporation and board chair of the National Gallery of Canada, told CiTC.
“He has presided over a period where Canada has deepened its relationship, refreshed and reinforced its historic connection to France.”
Former diplomat and public servant Vincent Klassen credited the ambassador with helping to raise the profile of arts and culture in the capital, including through the launch of the Institut français du Canada to promote French culture, language and academic collaboration across Canada.
Miraillet has supported such organizations as the National Arts Centre, Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra and the Ottawa Jazz Festival, which, this past May, held a memorable benefit at the embassy featuring Canadian artist Jully Black.
“He’s been a good ambassador, that’s for sure,” said Klassen, president of Thirteen Strings and directeur général of the Fédération culturelle canadienne-française. “He’s been a great friend of Canada and he did a lot for culture.”
From left, French Ambassador Michel Miraillet and Vincent Klassen, who recently became the directeur général of the Ottawa-based Fédération culturelle canadienne-française (FCCF), which serves as the national voice for French-language arts and culture outside Quebec. Photo by Caroline Phillips
In his remarks, Miraillet took a moment to thank so many in the community, joined in his hosting duties by his wife, Geneviève Quenum-Miraillet.
He spoke of his “four winters” in Canada — joking that this is how time is measured here — and expressed his gratitude to embassy staff, diplomatic colleagues, community partners, neighbours and friends.
He also thanked his two “wonderful” cooks, joking that they were responsible for the extra pounds he would now have to lose.
He made a point of acknowledging the RCMP officers standing guard in their ceremonial uniforms, and the effort required in such heat. The crowd was quick to applaud.
As the ambassador’s remarks drew to a close, he did what he does best: he left guests smiling.
“July 14th,” he joked, “is the only day where the French are pretty much all in agreement.”
What they agree on, he said to laughter, is celebrating.
He invited guests to enjoy the evening — despite the heat and storm threats — and to remember “how precious is the privilege of living, breathing and being happy.”
His final words: “Long live Franco-Canadian friendship, long live the Republic, and long live France.”
Later, guests were invited to head to the north side of the residence, along the Ottawa River, where the embassy’s annual fireworks show lit up the sky.
The display reached its grand finale as French singer Édith Piaf’s Hymne à l’amour played. Brilliant bursts of light — including red hearts — filled the night sky, giving guests one of those shared moments when everyone could be seen looking up in awe.
It was a perfect ending to a night spent celebrating France, friendship and the simple pleasure of being together. Then the dance floor took over and kept the party going.
Among those prepared for the long haul were Metropolitain Brasserie’s Sarah Chown and her friends. Chown stayed hydrated and wore sensible dancing shoes. “We danced last year until the wee hours of the morning,” explained Mathieu Gravel, chief of staff at the City of Ottawa.
From left, Sarah Chown, managing partner of Metropolitain Brasserie & Restaurant, parliamentary staffer Anthony Carricato, City of Ottawa chief of staff Mathieu Gravel and Aïsha Paquette-Dioury, director of issues and outreach for the Office of the Mayor of Ottawa, at the French embassy’s Fête Nationale Bastille Day. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The French embassy’s annual Bastille Day celebration traditionally ends with a spectacular fireworks display that lights up the skies above the Ottawa River and the ambassador’s official residence. Photo by Lindsay Germano
Ottawa MP Mona Fortier in conversation with Claridge Homes founder and CEO Bill Malhotra, U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra and Ambassador Lim Ki-mo of Korea during the French embassy’s Fête Nationale Bastille Day. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Sanjay Shah, founder of ExecHealth and executive advisor to WELL Health Medical and Longevity Centre, and his wife, Dr. Bella Mehta, were guests at the French embassy’s Fête Nationale Bastille Day. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The local jazz quartet Capital City Stompers performed during the French embassy’s Fête Nationale Bastille Day, held at 42 Sussex Dr. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Dave Dickinson, senior partner and co-founder of PRIME Benefits Group, Jill Dickinson, president at CKL Properties, and their friends, Sandra Assaly and Stephen Assaly, were among the 1,400-plus guests of the French embassy’s Fête Nationale Bastille Day, held Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips
French Ambassador Michel Miraillet and his wife Geneviève Quenum-Miraillet, flanked by members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, at the French embassy’s Fête Nationale Bastille Day, held Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Photo by Lindsay Germano
Caroline Dromaguet, president and CEO of the Canadian Museum of History and Canadian War Museum, and James Whitham, director general and vice president of the Canadian War Museum, at the French embassy’s Fête Nationale Bastille Day. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Innes Aichour, left, and Latifa Taiar made the most of the shade beneath a mature tree as guests looked for ways to beat the heat during the French embassy’s Bastille Day celebration. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Ian Cameron, senior special advisor in the Prime Minister’s Office, Global Affairs Canada foreign service officer Clémence Trarbach, Canadian Chamber of Commerce senior director Bryan Detchou and Camilo Silva at the French embassy’s Fête Nationale Bastille Day. Photo by Caroline Phillips
French flair met Canadian tradition as Les Suites Hotel Ottawa general manager Chris Pierce and Geneviève Dumas, general manager of the Fairmont Château Laurier, posed with members of the RCMP Musical Ride at the French embassy’s Fête Nationale Bastille Day. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Alex Howell, policy lead in Canada for Airbnb; Alik Angaladian, senior principal and strategic growth lead at Maple Leaf Strategies; and George Wamala, director of regulatory and government affairsRBC, at the French embassy’s Fête Nationale Bastille Day. Photo by Caroline Phillips
French Ambassador Michel Miraillet chats with members of the Capital City Stompers and saxophonist Petr Cancura, artistic and executive director of the Ottawa Jazz Festival. Photo by Caroline Phillips
BMO regional vice president Omar Abouzaher, honorary colonel of the Governor General’s Foot Guards, alongside University of Ottawa president and vice-chancellor Marie-Eve Sylvestre, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab and Abouzaher’s wife, Hanadi Abouzaher, at the French embassy’s Fête Nationale Bastille Day. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Spanish Ambassador Alfredo Martínez Serrano got a warm reception from French Ambassador Michel Miraillet despite Spain beating France earlier that day to reach the FIFA World Cup final. Photo by Lindsay Germano
From left, Associate Deputy Minister Mark Schaan, board chair of the Ottawa Art Gallery, and Power Corporation senior vice president Paul Genest, board chair of the National Gallery of Canada, at the French embassy’s Fête Nationale Bastille Day. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Bill Malhotra, founder and CEO of Claridge Homes, French Ambassador Michel Miraillet and his wife, Geneviève Quenum-Miraillet, and Romina Malhotra in the receiving line at the French embassy’s Bastille Day celebration. Photo by Lindsay Germano
From left, Geneviève Quenum-Miraillet, Donna Taucer, Denise Carruthers, Rhonda Decarie, Francine Belleau and Micheline McElligott were soaking up the festive atmosphere at the French embassy’s annual Bastille Day celebration. Photo by Caroline Phillips
With a last name like French, Louise French and John French hardly needed an invitation to the French embassy’s annual Bastille Day celebration. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The building that houses both the French embassy and the ambassador’s official residence was bathed in blue, white and red. Photo by Caroline Phillips
French Ambassador Michel Miraillet and Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Edith Dumont caught the fireworks display from the embassy’s second-storey balcony overlooking the Ottawa River. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Neil Marshall, head of bids and captures for French multinational aerospace and defence corporation THALES — which was one of the sponsors of the Bastille Day celebration — and Jessica Brandon-Jepp, head of government relations and public affairs (Canada) for Capital One, watched the French embassy’s Bastille Day fireworks display from the embassy balcony. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, lawyer Russell Gibson, partner and co-founder of Gibson Tanner and Rabin, Denise Carruthers, former Ottawa Crown Attorney Hilary McCormack, Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute general manager Victoria Lehman and retired KPMG partner Vic Duret watched the fireworks from the embassy balcony. Photo by Caroline Phillips
This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WEALTH (WCPD), Syntax Strategic, RBC, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law and Prime Benefits Group.
hello@carolineinthecapital.ca
SHARE THIS STORY
Stay in the know
Get stories + event highlights from the capital delivered to your inbox.
