Celebrate the spirit of liberté, égalité, and fraternité — with a scoop (or two) of frozen French flair.
Every July 14th, France celebrates Bastille Day, honouring the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789 — a symbolic spark of the French Revolution. But beyond the parades and fireworks, it’s also a moment of national pride, culture, and yes… decadent desserts.
And what better way to join in the fête than with a lineup of French-inspired frozen treats?
Whether you’re planning a garden party, a picnic à la Parisienne, or simply looking for a reason to whip up something delicious, these frosty French flavours are the perfect way to say vive la glace!
✅ In This Article, You’ll Find:
- Easy and elegant frozen dessert ideas inspired by French flavours
- A Surprise Bonus Recipe for French Fry Ice Cream (Yes, you read that correctly)
- Bastille Day party suggestions and flavour pairings
- Tips for adding French flair to your summer dessert table
- Fun foodie facts to sprinkle in while you serve
🇫🇷 A Little Personal Scoop…
Back when I worked in Soho, London, there was a little French patisserie just across from my office window — Maison Bertaux, a legendary spot on Greek Street. Every year on Bastille Day, the lady who owns it, Michelle, would stage the most theatrical celebration — waving flags from the doorway, tossing open the windows in true revolutionary style, and rallying the street in full costume.
It was half celebration, half performance art — and the whole office would gather at the windows to watch, coffee mugs in hand. That may have been my very first taste of Bastille Day — and certainly the most memorable. 💙🤍❤️
Above: A fabulously chaotic Bastille Day re-enactment outside Maison Bertaux, Soho — a moment of French flair in the heart of London!
💡 Did You Know? In France, ice cream parlours are known as glaciers — and Paris is home to some of the oldest ice cream cafés in the world, including the iconic Berthillon on Île Saint-Louis.
French Summer Desserts To Try
Ready to bring a little Parisian panache to your dessert bowl?
Below we’ve listed our homemade Bastille Day recipes — all of them are easy to make, and share the essence of France in a bowl, cone or waffle!
🍮 Crème Brûlée Ice Cream
A silky custard-style base with swirls of caramel and shards of crackling sugar.
Rich, creamy, and oh-so-satisfying — this scoop is like a frozen spoonful of your favourite French bistro dessert.
Serve with: a brûléed sugar crisp or shortbread biscuit.
🌿 Lavender Honey Sorbet
Elegant and floral, this dairy-free sorbet is a refined palate-cooler that feels like a stroll through Provence.
Light, fragrant, and refreshing — perfect as a mid-course refresher or sunny-day indulgence.
🍫 Chocolate & Hazelnut Gelato
Inspired by the rich flavours of Parisian pâtisserie, this gelato brings all the indulgence with a nutty twist.
Think: chocolat chaud meets praline — frozen.
Tip: Add a drizzle of warm chocolate sauce and crushed hazelnuts for extra luxury.
🍓 Strawberry Champagne Granita
A touch of sparkle, a burst of berry — and just the right amount of chill.
Sweet, tangy, and quietly bougie — this frozen fizz is perfect for toasting liberté!
Make it alcohol-free: Swap Champagne for sparkling grape juice or elderflower pressé.
🍦🍟 Bonus Recipe: French Fry Ice Cream — Oui or Non?!
Did you know? July 13th is National French Fry Day — and with Bastille Day following right after, we couldn’t resist having a bit of fun with a salty-sweet mashup that’s both cheeky and strangely delicious.
Yes, you read that right: French Fry Ice Cream!
Before you say non, non, non — hear us out. It’s hot and cold, salty and sweet, soft and crispy — and somehow, it just works. Think of it as the lovechild of diner nostalgia and Parisian playfulness. Perfect for those who like a little culinary curiosity with their celebration.
Celebrate French Fry Day (13th July) with us, the only way we know how — by soft-serving up something very unexpected: French Fry Ice Cream.
What You’ll Need:
- Vanilla ice cream (soft-serve works best)
- A generous handful of hot, crispy French fries
- Optional: drizzle of salted caramel, a sprinkle of sea salt, or even a dash of paprika if you want to push the boat out!
How to Make:
- Scoop vanilla ice cream into a bowl or cup.
- Top with warm fries — yes, on top.
- Drizzle with caramel or add a cheeky spice blend for the brave.
- Dig in. Or stare at it for a while first. Your call.
💡 Pro tip: This French Fry Ice Cream is all about the contrast — hot + cold, salty + sweet, soft + crispy. Surprisingly addictive… or utterly confusing.
🇫🇷 Bastille Day Party Tips
Planning a summer gathering or a sweet soirée in honour of la fête nationale? Bring the tricolore to life with this fun and fuss-free sundae bar idea that’s as photogenic as it is delicious.
Create a Red, White & Blue Sundae Bar with:
- Red: Strawberry or raspberry sorbet
- White: Vanilla bean ice cream
- Blue: Blueberry compote or gelato
Top with mini French flags, fresh berries, and crushed meringue for extra celebration vibes!
👉🏽 Want to create the ultimate ice cream bar setup at home? Don’t miss our full guide: Sundae Funday — Your Guide to Creating a DIY Ice Cream Bar at Home for easy tips, styling inspo, and topping ideas galore.
💡 Did You Know? Lavender is a popular culinary herb in southern France, often used in syrups, desserts, and even cheese — and it pairs beautifully with honey in frozen treats.
📌 Related Reads
👉🏽 Classic Crème Brûlée Ice Cream Recipe — Coming Soon!
👉🏽 Picnic Ideas for Summer Celebrations
👉🏽 The Coolest Ice Cream Styles From Around The World
Don’t stop at inspiration — explore our full archive of frozen desserts and bring a taste of France (and beyond!) to your kitchen.✨ Try a new recipe, host your own sundae soirée, or surprise someone with French Fry Ice Cream — and don’t forget to tag us @FrostedFusions so we can share your creations!
The Final Scoop
Whether you’re toasting with Champagne granita or enjoying a scoop of lavender sorbet, our frozen French-inspired dessert ideas are a fun and delicious way to celebrate Bastille Day.
So wave your little tricolore, scoop generously, and enjoy a chilled taste of France, wherever you are.
Bon appétit et bonne fête! 🇫🇷
We hope that you have enjoyed our article – Bastille Day-Inspired Ice Cream Desserts – A Taste Of France – and that we have inspired you to give our recipe ideas a go, yes even the French Fry Ice Cream! If you have any questions, please drop us a comment below, and we will be happy to get back to you.
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Wow, I never knew there were so many different kinds of ice cream desserts inspired by French flavors! I usually just think of plain vanilla or chocolate scoops, so reading about things like lavender honey sorbet and crème brûlée ice cream is really eye-opening. The French Fry Ice Cream sounds wild and honestly a bit confusing, but also kind of fun to try — I wouldn’t have thought salty fries would go with sweet ice cream!
I’m curious, for someone new to fancy ice cream desserts like these, what’s the easiest one to start with? And do these recipes need special ingredients or tools, or could a beginner make them at home without much hassle? Thanks for the inspiration to try something new — maybe Bastille Day will be my excuse to experiment with flavors beyond the usual! 😉
Hi Michael,
Nice to see you again, and thanks for your lovely comment — I’m so pleased you enjoyed the article and that it sparked some curiosity about French-inspired ice cream flavours!
You’re definitely not alone — a lot of us grew up with the classics like vanilla or chocolate, so exploring flavours like lavender honey or crème brûlée in frozen form can feel a bit fancy at first. But I promise, they’re not as complicated as they sound!
No fancy tools are needed for any of these — just a freezer-safe container, a saucepan, and a bit of adventurous spirit. I’m so glad you’re inspired to try something new — and Bastille Day sounds like the perfect excuse to give it a go!
As for where to start, we have several how-to guides listed on our website, and this one – Learn To Make Homemade Ice Cream – A Beginners Guide – would probably be a good starting place for you. It provides full guidance, hints, tips, and tricks to help you create delicious ice cream, even if you have no previous experience.
And you’re quite right — French Fry Ice Cream does sound a little mad! I like that it’s made you curious, albeit a little confused too, ha – you may well be pleasantly surprised!
It’s a cheeky nod to French Fry Day, which falls on 13th July, right before Bastille Day — so we thought, why not combine the two? It’s all about playful contrasts — sweet, salty, hot, cold. Unexpected, yes… but oddly addictive!
Let us know if you give ice cream making a go, and please do reach out if you have any questions. I’d love to hear how you get on.
Warm wishes,
Cherie
What a delightfully whimsical and deliciously creative way to celebrate Bastille Day! The fusion of French heritage with modern dessert trends truly captures the joie de vivre of July 14th. The Crème Brûlée Ice Cream particularly stands out transforming a beloved bistro classic into a cool, caramel-swirled indulgence with those crackling sugar shards sounds like a dream. How did you perfect the texture to balance both creaminess and crunch? And what inspired the playful twist of French Fry Ice Cream was it a culinary dare or a stroke of genius?
The nostalgic personal story about Maison Bertaux adds warmth and authenticity, reminding us how food and celebration are deeply intertwined with memory. The inclusion of lavender honey sorbet also feels like a love letter to Provence
Hi Ravin,
Nice to see you drop by again, and thank you for such a kind and considered comment — it’s lovely to hear you enjoyed the article.
The Crème Brûlée Ice Cream is definitely a favourite — getting that balance between silky custard and crunchy caramel was a bit of a dance! I found the key was swirling in shards of brûléed sugar just before the final freeze, so they stayed crisp and crackly rather than melting into the base. It’s one of those textures that gives you that “oh!” moment in every bite.
And as for the French Fry Ice Cream — I love your question! I’d personally like to veer toward stroke of genius, lol, but others may not think so. It’s actually a cheeky twist inspired by French Fry Day, which falls on July 13th, just before Bastille Day. The idea of mashing up two celebrations — one salty, one sweet — felt too fun to pass up!
It definitely walks the line between culinary dare and guilty pleasure… but surprisingly, the contrast works. (Even if it does raise a few eyebrows at first!)
I’m so glad the memory of Maison Bertaux resonated with you. I too smiled, recalling those reenactments on the streets of Soho many years ago! And you’re right, food and memory really are so tightly woven together.
The Lavender Honey Sorbet is my quiet ode to Provence — simple, fragrant, and calming, like a warm breeze through a lavender field.
Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts, appreciate it.
Warmest wishes,
Cherie