A French Revolution recipe project is the perfect way to start or to celebrate the end of a unit on the French Revolution. Also, look at my page French Revolution 1789 – 1799 Unit Study & Lapbook for more ideas.
We are making an easy crepe recipe.
While crepes are not specifically a food that was highlighted during the French Revolution, they were a staple long before, during, and still today.
Crepes are basically thin pancakes. They are then filled with a wide variety of sweet or savory fillings.
Lemon and sugar are the traditional filling.
Stories say that crepes date back to 13th-century Brittany, France where a housewife accidentally dribbled some thin porridge onto a hot, flat cooktop.
People back then did not want to waste a drop of food, so she ate it.
And found it turned into thin, crispy, and delicious crepes. They were cheap and did not use a lot of raw ingredients, so they became a staple.
Now onto…Vive la Revolution!
The French Revolution began a new way of life, especially for the common classes.
In 1789 the people began the revolution, bringing down the king and becoming a republic (ruled by the people).
While this did not last, France never did return to its drastically unequal society.
Several causes led to the overthrow of the monarchy- debt and taxes, famine and the price of bread, cultural changes, and politics.
French Revolution Books for Kids
6 Books For Kids About or Set in the French Revolution Time
Although the French Revolution is not easy to learn about, great books can bring a subject to life.
The novel is set during the Reign of Terror following the start of the French Revolution. The title is the nom de guerre of its hero and protagonist, a chivalrous Englishman who rescues aristocrats before they are sent to the guillotine. Sir Percy Blakeney leads a double life: apparently nothing more than a wealthy fop, but in reality a formidable swordsman and a quick-thinking master of disguise and escape artist. The band of gentlemen who assist him are the only ones who know of his secret identity. He is known by his symbol, a simple flower, the scarlet pimpernel.
A Tale of Two Cities is Charles Dickens’s great historical novel, set against the violent upheaval of the French Revolution. The most famous and perhaps the most popular of his works, it compresses an event of immense complexity to the scale of a family history, with a cast of characters that includes a bloodthirsty ogress and an antihero as believably flawed as any in modern fiction. Though the least typical of the author’s novels, A Tale of Two Cities still underscores many of his enduring themes—imprisonment, injustice, social anarchy, resurrection, and the renunciation that fosters renewal.
In Search of Honor is historical fiction by Donnalynn Hess set in the late 1700s during the violent days of the French Revolution. This Christian fiction for teens tells of young Jacques Chenier who is trapped in a
prison stronger than the Bastille, a prison of bitterness. Jacques wants revenge for his father, his mother, his fellow artisans, and for himself. But escaping from a prison of the heart is no easy task. In Search of Honor is the story of this young man’s struggle for justice and truth.
Set in 17th century Italy, it tells the story of a young man who is driven to seek justice against a powerful and oppressive oppressor. Through thrilling twists and turns, Scaramouche must confront his own inner demons and risk his life to save his people. With thrilling action, a compelling hero, and a deep exploration of justice, Scaramouche is a must-read for fans of historical fiction. Featuring Sabatini's signature swashbuckling style and vivid writing, Scaramouche is sure to captivate readers and leave them with a lasting impression of its timeless themes.
Return to the tumultuous days of the French Revolution with this captivating tale of adventure and courage. Join Harry Sandwith, a young Englishman, as he accepts a job as a companion to the sons of a French marquis. Follow Harry and his aristocratic friends as they're swept from their idyllic life at a country estate to the riotous streets of Paris and the very gates of the Bastille. Can Harry rescue the marquis' family from imprisonment and certain death at the hands of the merciless mob?Author George Alfred Henty specialized in creating novels for young readers that blend authentic historical facts with exciting fictional characters. Famed as "The Prince of Storytellers," Henty wrote more than 140 books. Generations of schoolchildren have thrilled to his vivid novels, which continue to fire young imaginations with their spirited tales of adventure amid exciting historical eras.
ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD ISABELLE IS A LACEMAKER IN THE TOWN OF VERSAILLES. One day as she delivers lace to the palace, she is almost trampled by a crowd of courtiers -- only to be rescued by Marie Antoinette. Before Isabelle can believe it, she has a new job -- companion to the queen's daughter. Isabelle is given a fashionable name, fashionable dresses -- a new identity. At home she plies her needle under her grandmother's disapproving eye. At the palace she is playmate to a princess. Thrown into a world of luxury, Isabelle is living a fairy-tale life. But this facade begins to crumble when rumors of starvation in the countryside lead to whispers of revolution. How can Isabelle reconcile the ugly things she hears in the town with the kind family she knows in the palace? And which side is she truly on? Inspired by an actual friendship between the French princess and a commoner who became her companion, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley offers a vivid portrait of life inside the palace of Versailles -- and a touching tale of two friends divided by class and the hunger for equality and freedom that fueled the French Revolution.
Timeline of The French Revolution
Here are a few quick key highlights of the events that began and ended the French Revolution to absorb while you enjoy your light fluffy crepe.
- July 14, 1789 – French rebels stormed the Bastille, a royal symbol of authority, and brought the king down from authority in Paris. This is now known and celebrated as Bastille Day.
- August 26, 1789 – The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen.
- September 1792-Radical revolutionaries arrest the King, and the National Convention is established, abolishing the monarchy and the start of the French Republic.
- January 21, 1793- The king, Louis XVI, is executed as a traitor via the guillotine.
- June 1793- The bloody Reign of Terror begins; this was a year-long period where any suspected enemies of the revolution were killed. Death tolls were in the thousands, in October Queen Marie Antoinette was executed by guillotine.
- 1795- The Directory assumes power, a French Revolutionary government set up by the Constitution.
- November 9, 1799- The Napoleonic era begins as Napoleon Bonaparte stages a coup d’état, overthrowing the failed Directory and ending the French Revolution.
Also, here are some more French Revolution activities.
French Revolution Resources and Hands-On Activities
- Free Fun Lapbook for Kids About the French Revolution
- Pain Au Chocolat Easy Recipe
- Learn About the Geography of France by Creating A Solar Oven
- French Revolution Unit Study + Free Copywork Tale of Two Cities
- Unit Study: French Revolution + Free Storming the Bastille Game
Finally, look at this easy crepes French Revolution recipe project.
French Revolution Recipe Project: Easy Crepes
You will need:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs.
- ½ cup of milk.
- ½ cup of water
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- 2 tablespoons of melted butter
First, whisk the flour and eggs together until combined, if you want to be sure that it’s very smooth you may want to pre-sift your flour to help get rid of any lumps.
Slowly, add your milk and water, stirring gently to combine them.
Next, add your melted butter and a pinch of salt, and beat vigorously until the mixture is smooth.
Lightly oil and then heat a small frying pan over medium-high heat.
Ladle ¼ cup of the mixture into a hot nonstick pan
Quickly pick up the pan and rotate it around to coat as much of the surface evenly with batter and place the pan back on the heat.
Depending on the size of your pan you may want to add more or less, you are going for a very thin layer of batter to get a true crepe.
Cook for 1 ½ to 2 minutes until the visible side no longer looks wet and the pan side when lifted has a light golden color.
Use a spatula to loosen all the way around and flip, cooking for one minute on the other side.
You can serve crepes sweet or savory by filling them with a wide variety of fillings.
Our favorite combo is Nutella, fresh strawberries, and of course, whipped cream on top.
But they can also be enjoyed with lemon curd, scrambled egg whites and veggies, sauteed veggies, bacon, cheeses, whatever you like.
You can see our first attempt was not bad at all. It takes a bit of practice to get it right.
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