Travel
Fact-checked

At WiseTour, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What Are the Best Tips for Throwing a French-Themed Party?

Maggie Worth
Maggie Worth

Party themes are a popular way to add a little something special to showers, birthdays, anniversaries or any type of gathering. There are many options for putting together a French-themed party, and they can be relatively easy and inexpensive to create. Tips include incorporating the French language into your invitations and other written pieces, choosing French foods for your menu and playing French music during the party. You can also incorporate icons of French culture, history and architecture into your décor.

Incorporating French phrases into your invitation is an easy way to set the mood for a French-themed party. Conveniently enough, a number of standard invitation and party phrases are already French. "Hors d'oeuvre" can be substituted for "appetizers," for instance. The commonly-used "R.S.V.P." stands for the French, "répondez s'il vous plaît," meaning please respond. Consider spelling out this phrase to add impact.

Tapenade served with a slice of bread is a popular French hors d'oeuvre.
Tapenade served with a slice of bread is a popular French hors d'oeuvre.

You can use the French spellings for other words, too, particularly if you are throwing a French-themed party for a shower, anniversary or other romantic occasion. For instance, "coeur" is French for "heart," "enchanté" means "enchanted," and as many are already aware, "l'amour" means "love." An online English to French translator can help you find other ideas. These words can also be used in your decorations, thank you notes, place cards and more. Remember to address all notes and place cards using the French forms of address, such as "Mademoiselle" or "Mlle," "Madame" or "Mme," and "Monsieur" or "M."

A French-themed brunch might include croissants.
A French-themed brunch might include croissants.

Food and music can add much to your French-themed party. French music is available for download online if you don't have access to a collection. French foods can also be researched online. Quiches and croissants are an authentic option for a brunch, coq au vin could work for a sit-down dinner, and brie served with baguettes is a potential appetizer. Crème Brûlée, Éclairs and madeleines are all popular French desserts.

Photos of the Eiffel Tower can be used to decorate for a French-themed party.
Photos of the Eiffel Tower can be used to decorate for a French-themed party.

Décor can be an important part of carrying off any theme. For a French-themed party, one way to enhance your décor is to use well-known French icons. The Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe are both recognizable architectural structures, for instance. You might also post prints by famous French artists, such as Monet, Matisse, Cezanne or Rousseau. Another option is to decorate your dining area like an outdoor cafe in Paris.

Color schemes for French-themed parties can vary based on your preferences. Many such parties use black and white, based on the popular harlequin motif. In this case, a single accent color, often a mid-tone of pink, is frequently added for impact.

Discussion Comments

Mor

@Ana1234 - Honestly, for a French themed party the food should be the most important component. It should be fresh and delicious and look good on the table and the plate.

Don't just stick with a handful of croissants and think that is good enough. French food is amazing and any opportunity you can take to make some or eat some should be seized with both hands.

The only thing is to make sure you don't get out of your depth if you aren't a confident cook. Macarons, for example, are often thought of as one of the pinnacles of French party foods, but they are very difficult to make. I wouldn't attempt them for the first time right before a party where they are supposed to be served.

Ana1234

@clintflint - I agree, La Vie En Rose is lovely. But it really depends on the demographic of the party and what kind of impact you're looking for. The French have just as wide a variety of music as any other country and you have a lot of choices, ranging from classical to electronic.

If you want people to dance, you are going to have to pick accordingly.

I would also have a look online at places like Pinterest and Etsy for French themed recipes and decorations. Although the fact that their flag is the same colors as a lot of other flags can make it difficult to be unique.

clintflint

You can't go wrong if you play Edith Piaf's songs during your French themed party. She was truly one of the great singers and most people will recognize her songs even if they don't understand French.

I think they played one of her songs a lot during the film Inception, so even younger people should recognize her music!

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Tapenade served with a slice of bread is a popular French hors d'oeuvre.
      By: Natalia Mylova
      Tapenade served with a slice of bread is a popular French hors d'oeuvre.
    • A French-themed brunch might include croissants.
      By: Alexandra
      A French-themed brunch might include croissants.
    • Photos of the Eiffel Tower can be used to decorate for a French-themed party.
      By: johan10
      Photos of the Eiffel Tower can be used to decorate for a French-themed party.
    • A French-themed party can include quiche on the buffet table.
      By: MIGUEL GARCIA SAAVED
      A French-themed party can include quiche on the buffet table.
    • For dessert, serve decadent chocolate pots de crème in individual ramekins.
      By: razmarinka
      For dessert, serve decadent chocolate pots de crème in individual ramekins.