La Gerbe d'Or, Bastille Day

For around twenty years, the ever charming Franck François has been welcoming locals and visitors for Bastille Day celebrations outside his pâtisserie, La Gerbe d’Or, in the leafy suburb of Paddington. With a hearty cassoulet, gutsy red wine, tasty baguettes on offer, thanks to his generosity, little wonder Francophiles make it their annual pilgrimage to celebrate le quatorze juillet.

A cool and wet Sunday morning didn’t deter the celebrations this morning. With people arriving by 10 am, the cassoulet was not far behind. Vin rouge flowed from an earthenware pitcher, and crusty bread was used to mop up any left overs from one’s plate. The unmistakable voice of Charles Aznavour filled the air ending with an all time favourite La Bohême, before more contemporary songs were played with the likes of Camille singing Ta Douleur.

Set in the heart of Paddington, on a sweeping curve just past the roundabout at Five Ways and L’Etoile Restaurant, La Gerbe d’Or, has played host to regulars, either on the 14th of July or the Sunday preceding it. Some regulars, notably absent today, had even made it a point of bringing their own tables and chairs and setting themselves up comfortably.

La Gerbe d’Or Paddington with tricolore flag and balloons

Regular crowd

Cassoulet and crusty baguette

Vin rouge

With his vivacious personality and southern French accent, Monsieur François, owner and boulanger-pâtissier-traiteur, who has been in business for over twenty five years, has lost none of his passion for his craft. Inside, the warm yellow-themes interior of the pâtisserie, a range of breads, pastries, gourmandises and an assortment of gâteaux tempt and tease until there is nothing left to do but give up one’s resistance.

Allons enfants de la patrie…