Celebrating Thanksgiving in France can be challenging as it is an American and Canadian holiday. The French do not celebrate Thanksgiving even though many French settled in North America.
The traditional story of Thanksgiving Day is that the special meal was prepared as a thank you to the Indian people for the ingredients and cooking methods they taught the newcomers. Turkey, corn and sweet potatoes, native to the area where they settled, became the center of this traditional food.
But if you are an expat living in France or planning a visit during that time, you can still enjoy Turkey Day.
Buy your Thanksgiving meal
If you’re planning a Thanksgiving party for your French friends, don’t be surprised if they have no idea what the party is about.
When you go shopping, you will find turkeys ( une dinde in French and do not use dindon as applied to live animal) sold all over France, so there will be no problem getting the main ingredient. Turkeys are a favorite protein, particularly in Licques in northern France, which is famous for its annual Turkish festival held in December.
You’ll pay a premium for American food imported into France, but as you shop, you’ll likely run into other Americans who are feeling just as nostalgic. There are several stores where you can find family meals for the holidays:
- The Real McCoy is the place to go for all those Thanksgiving Day ingredients. They also stock American favorites like Oreos, Reese’s Pieces, Dr. Pepper, and Hershey bars.
Address: 194 Rue de Grenelle, Paris 75007, Tel: 01 45 56 98 82. - For American groceries and groceries that you buy online and have delivered, check out My American Market. They have a special section dedicated to holiday food ingredients.
Restaurants for Thanksgiving meals
Americans have opened restaurants in Paris and serve festive meals that attract visitors and residents alike.
- Verjus Restaurant is the place to reserve a table for an exclusive Thanksgiving menu with seasonal ingredients. The restaurant’s website lists a “Thanksgiving-themed preset tasting menu and wine pairing the week of November 19 – November 23, 2018.” The Verjus restaurant was opened in 2012 by two Americans who have made it a local favorite as well as a home away from home for visiting Americans. Address: 52, rue de Richelieu, 75001 Paris.
- Under the same property there is a wine bar, Verjus Bar à Vins, 47, rue Montpensier, 75001 Paris, and a third restaurant called Ellsworth, at 34, rue de Richelieu, 75001.
The main reservation phone number for all Verjus restaurants. Tel.: 00 33 (0) 1 42 97 54 40
- Harry’s New York Bar is open Sunday through Thursday from noon to 2 am, Friday, Saturday from noon to 3 am. Harry’s Bar was opened on Thanksgiving, November 26, 1911, by a former American horseman with a friend from New York. It’s a really fun place.
Address: 5 rue Daunou, 75002 Paris, Tel.: 00 33 (0) 1 42 61 71 14, - Joe Allen is open Monday through Saturday from noon to 1 a.m. M., Sunday from 11 a. M. At 12:30 a. M. The Paris version gives you a real Thanksgiving dinner and you need to book well in advance.
Address: 30 rue Pierre Lescot, 75001 Paris, tel.: 00 33 (0) 1 42 36 70 13
- Breakfast in America (BIA) has two diners in Paris, ideal for a casual meal. They don’t take reservations, so go early.
Address: 17, rue des Ecoles, 75005 Paris, tel.: 00 33 (0) 1 43 54 50 28. 4 rue Malher, 75004 Paris, tel.: 00 33 (0) 1 42 72 40 21. - Learn how to cook your own Thanksgiving feast in true French style at the cooking school, La Cuisine Paris. Cooking classes are in English. You cook your food and then eat it overlooking the Seine celebrating with glasses of champagne and wine. Address: 80 Quai de l’Hôtel de Ville, 75004, Paris, tel.: 0033 (0) 1 40 51 78 18
Thanksgiving meals outside of Paris
Look for American-themed bars and restaurants on the website of the city you are visiting. Also, take a look at the different American organizations spread all over France; you will be surprised how many there are.
- The American Club of the Riviera in Nice hosts a Thanksgiving luncheon at the Hermitage Hotel, with members of the US Army as guests. More information about the club can be obtained at 50 bd Victor Hugo, Nice, 00 33 (0) 4 93 82 01 08.
- Stars’ n Bars in Monaco, known for its burgers, usually hold a Thanksgiving celebration. Reservations by phone only. Address: 6 Quai Antoine 1er, 98000 Monaco, tel.: 00 33 (3) 77 97 97 95 95,
- The Bordeaux-United States Association, a Franco-American friendship organization, is hosting a Thanksgiving dinner at Alain Fournier Secondary School, 83 Rue de Saint-Genès, 33000 Bordeaux.
- The American Club of Lyon, a social club for former American patriots, typically hosts a Thanksgiving dinner in which turkey and drinks are provided, but it’s an option for the rest of the decorations that make Thanksgiving. Thank you so special and uniquely American. celebration. The postal address is American Club of Lyon, BP 2060, 69226 Lyon Cedex 02.
