A French Party is a charming and stylish way to bring the essence of France to your gathering. Whether you’re celebrating French culture, enjoying French cuisine, or simply having fun with a Parisian theme, a French party is a perfect way to indulge in elegance and sophistication. Here’s everything you need to plan a fabulous French-themed party:

1. Invitations

Set the mood for your French party with elegant invitations that reflect the spirit of France.

  • Eiffel Tower Invitations: Design invitations shaped like the Eiffel Tower or with a Parisian skyline. You can also incorporate classic French icons like croissants or berets.
  • Vintage French Postcards: Send out vintage French postcards with the party details on the back, or opt for postcard-style invitations featuring French landmarks.
  • Chic Typography: Use elegant fonts and French phrases like “Bienvenue” (Welcome), “Fête Française” (French Party), or “C’est la vie” (Such is life) for a touch of authenticity.

2. Venue and Decorations

Transform your venue into a Parisian café or a cozy French bistro, with accents of romance and sophistication.

  • Color Scheme: Opt for a classic French color palette of red, white, and blue, or use more neutral tones like black, white, and gold for an elegant feel. You can also go for soft pastel shades like blush pink and light blue for a more romantic Parisian vibe.
  • Eiffel Tower Decorations: Use Eiffel Tower miniatures or posters to bring a taste of Paris to your venue. You can also create a Parisian backdrop with the Eiffel Tower and French landmarks for photo opportunities.
  • Bistro Tables: Set up small bistro tables covered with checkered tablecloths (think red and white gingham), with fresh flowers like roses in simple vases.
  • String Lights: Hang string lights or fairy lights to add a cozy, romantic atmosphere, reminiscent of Parisian streets in the evening.
  • French Café Style: Include French-inspired items like café chairs, French market baskets, and vintage French posters.
  • Floral Arrangements: Decorate with lavender or roses for a touch of French countryside charm. A lavender-scented candle can enhance the mood as well.
  • Chandeliers: Use chandeliers or vintage-style lamps for an added touch of Parisian elegance.

3. Dress Code

Invite guests to dress in chic French fashion, whether they’re channeling a sophisticated Parisian look or something more casual.

  • Parisian Chic: Encourage guests to wear striped shirts, berets, tweed jackets, floral dresses, or black turtlenecks. Think of Audrey Hepburn or Coco Chanel for inspiration!
  • Elegant Evening Attire: For a more formal affair, ask guests to wear cocktail dresses, suits, or monochrome outfits with touches of red, white, or gold.
  • French Market: For a more casual and rustic French theme, guests can dress like they’re visiting a French market: casual, laid-back clothes like denim, floral prints, and comfortable shoes.

4. Food & Drinks

French cuisine is all about indulgence, so serve classic French dishes and treats to delight your guests’ taste buds.

Food

  • Cheese & Charcuterie Board: Create a cheese board with an assortment of French cheeses such as Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, and Chèvre. Add cured meats like prosciutto, salami, and saucisson, along with fresh bread and crackers.
  • French Bread & Croissants: Serve freshly baked baguettes and croissants with butter and jam.
  • Escargots: For a daring and authentic touch, offer escargots (snails) served with garlic butter.
  • Quiche: Serve slices of quiche Lorraine (with bacon and cheese) or a vegetable-filled quiche.
  • Coq au Vin: Prepare a hearty Coq au Vin (chicken in red wine) for a traditional French dish.
  • Ratatouille: Serve a beautiful dish of ratatouille, a French vegetable medley.
  • Crepes: Offer both sweet crepes (with Nutella, berries, whipped cream) and savory crepes (with cheese, ham, mushrooms).
  • Macarons: Serve colorful macarons for a sweet French treat. Choose from pistachio, raspberry, vanilla, and chocolate flavors.
  • Madeleines: These delicate French sponge cakes are a perfect addition to your dessert table.
  • Tarte Tatin: Offer a slice of Tarte Tatin (upside-down caramelized apple tart) for dessert.

Drinks

  • Wine: Serve a variety of French wines, including Bordeaux, Champagne, Chablis, and Rosé. You can create a wine-tasting station with tasting notes for each variety.
  • French 75: Offer the classic French cocktail, the French 75, made with gin, Champagne, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
  • Kir Royale: A Kir Royale (Champagne with crème de cassis) is a sophisticated choice for your guests.
  • Pastis: Serve Pastis, an anise-flavored spirit, if you’re going for a more traditional French drink.
  • French Lemonade: For non-alcoholic options, serve refreshing French lemonade (limonade) or sparkling water from Perrier or Badoit.

5. Activities and Games

Make sure your guests stay entertained with fun French-themed activities!

French Trivia

  • Test your guests’ knowledge of French culture with a round of French trivia. Ask questions about French history, landmarks, food, and famous figures like Marie Antoinette, Coco Chanel, or Napoleon.

Baguette Relay Race

  • Set up a fun baguette relay race where guests balance a baguette on a spoon while racing to the finish line!

French Language Challenge

  • Teach your guests a few common French phrases like “Bonjour” (Hello), “Merci” (Thank you), and “Santé” (Cheers). Then, hold a language challenge to see who can remember and pronounce the most phrases correctly.

French Music & Dance

  • Play French music throughout the night, including artists like Edith Piaf, Serge Gainsbourg, Daft Punk, and Christine and the Queens.
  • For dancing, teach guests the can-can dance or set up a small area for dancing to French pop and retro hits.

6. Music Playlist

Create an atmosphere with a mix of classic French music, modern hits, and a touch of romance:

  • “La Vie en Rose” by Édith Piaf
  • “Le Festin” from the Ratatouille soundtrack
  • “Je Ne Regrette Rien” by Édith Piaf
  • “Les Champs-Élysées” by Joe Dassin
  • “Comme des Garçons” by Robyn
  • “Alors on danse” by Stromae
  • “Sous le Ciel de Paris” by Yves Montand
  • “Voyage, Voyage” by Desireless

7. Photo Opportunities

Set up a Parisian photo booth with props like berets, faux mustaches, Eiffel Tower cutouts, and champagne flutes. Create a Parisian café scene or a backdrop of the Eiffel Tower for guests to snap pictures and capture memories.

8. Party Favors

Send your guests home with memorable, French-inspired party favors:

  • Macaron Boxes: Gift guests boxed macarons to take home.
  • Mini French Perfumes: Give out small bottles of French perfume or cologne as elegant keepsakes.
  • French Soaps: Offer luxurious French soaps (like those from Provence).
  • Mini Eiffel Towers: Give out miniature Eiffel Tower figurines or keychains as mementos of the evening.

A French Party offers an elegant and unforgettable experience, complete with delicious food, charming décor, and plenty of fun activities. Whether you’re celebrating France or simply enjoying the ambiance of Paris, your guests will feel like they’ve been transported to the streets of Paris for a night. Vive la France! 🇫🇷🍷🥖🎉