Celebrating Thanksgiving in Paris

Thanksgiving in Paris is a celebration of gratitude and warmth, but beneath the charm of the City of Light lies a tapestry of history and culture that adds a unique twist to the holiday.

Thanksgiving is one of America’s most beloved holidays, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It’s a time for family gatherings, sumptuous feasting, and reflecting on gratitude. But what is the story behind this cherished day?

The Historical Roots of Thanksgiving

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens,” officially establishing it as a day of gratitude. By 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt designated it as the fourth Thursday in November, where it remains today.

Now, living in Paris or celebrating like a French person adds a unique twist to this beloved holiday. For Americans in the City of Light who want to spend Thanksgiving in Paris, read on to discover the best places and ways to honor this day with a distinctly French flair, from delicious culinary variations to charming Parisian traditions. Get ready to learn how to blend the warmth of Thanksgiving with the elegance of French culture!

How The French Celebrate Thanksgiving:

Gatherings with Friends and Family

The French people who choose to celebrate Thanksgiving will do it by hosting gatherings with friends or family, often replicating the American tradition of sharing a festive meal. These gatherings can include both French and American dishes, blending cultures.

Community Events

In neighborhoods with a significant American expat presence, such as Le Marais or near the American Church, community events are organized. These can include communal dinners or potlucks where everyone brings a dish to share.

Friendly Atmosphere

Expats and Parisians often come together to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Bars and cafés may also host Thanksgiving-themed evenings, complete with activities and decorations for the occasion.

How to Celebrate Thanksgiving in Paris

For those looking to embrace Thanksgiving in the City of Light, here are some restaurants that offer special menus and a warm atmosphere to celebrate this holiday:

Rivages – Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opéra
Address: 1 Square de l’Opéra Louis Jouvet, 75002 Paris

Le Relais de l’Entrecôte
Address: 15, rue Marbeuf, 75008 Paris

Buvette
Address: 28, rue Henri Monnier, 75002 Paris

Merci
Address: 111, boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris

Thanksgiving is not a national holiday in France, it is celebrated in Paris in a festive and friendly manner, reflecting the influence of American culture within a French setting.

The Statue of Liberty: A Symbol of Thanksgiving

If there’s any question about the friendship between the French and Americans, you only have to check out the Statue of Liberty to restore your feeling of welcome.

Paris has multiple Statue of Liberty replicas that symbolize the enduring friendship between France and the United States. The most famous replica, on Île aux Cygnes near the Eiffel Tower, faces west toward its American “sister” in New York. This smaller statue was a gift from the Parisian-American community in 1889, celebrating both the centennial of the French Revolution and the bond between the two nations. Another can be found in the Jardin du Luxembourg, standing as a tribute to the original sculptor, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, who was French. These replicas are scattered throughout Paris as reminders of shared ideals like liberty, democracy, and the cultural exchange between the two countries.

So if you’re celebating Thanksgiving in Paris you are in the perfect place! And if you’re looking for a place to rekindle a feeling of community around a dinner table, you should absolutely consider joining a French cooking class in Paris, it’s your home kitchen away from home complete with great conversation, laughs and wine of course.