A group of 25 adult students and friends of the French in Acton language school commemorated France's independence holiday of Bastille Day at the Local Table in Acton on July 16. The participants in the gathering were from Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Harvard, Littleton, Stow, and Wayland.

Led by school director Cynthia Edelman, who lives in Acton, and teacher Ève Fischer of Stow, the group celebrated with a three-course meal of salade Niçoise, boeuf Bourguignon, and crème brulée, as well as flag waving and singing of "La Marseillaise," the French national anthem.

Edelman said this was the school's fifth annual Bastille Day celebration.

"It is always great for our students to venture from the classroom into the real world to expose themselves to French culture, as well as experience additional linguistic opportunities."

Bastille Day celebrants from the French in Acton school included (from left) Director Cynthia Edelman, Liz Frothingham, and Ève Fischer.