A FREE French themed festival is returning to Reading this weekend (July 13 and 14).

The Bastille Festival, set up in 2012, aims to celebrate French culture and history at Forbury Gardens.

Co-founder and Director Vincent Valere explained he wanted to “bring something different” to Reading by hosting a fun festival that also celebrates history.

Visitors can expect to eat local French cuisine and drink including camembert, wine and crepes.

There will also be talented French singers, including Elodi Sybie all the way from Paris and a traditional French Can Can performance.

Across both days, there will be activities for all ages such as arts and crafts fun from Hobbycraft, an artwork display and even exotic animals on show such as snakes and spiders.

Vincent and his cofounders, Steve Leitch and Boubacar Dembele, have been spreading the word about their event through social media.

Vincent said: “Come and join us on the 13th and 14th of July.

“I hope you can have an experience you have never had.”