French Party Ideas: Themes, Activities, Food, and Small Details

The worst French themed party I attended had every Paris item you can buy: an Eiffel Tower backdrop, Paris-themed plates, a Paris tablecloth, a Paris banner, Eiffel Tower centerpieces, and a beret for every guest. The host had spent $100 on Paris-themed items. The guests ate cheese, drank wine, and did not notice the Eiffel Tower backdrop. A French party needs good food, good wine, and a few French touches. The rest is overkill.

French party ideas are celebration concepts built around a French theme, featuring French food, French wine, and Parisian decorations. The best French parties are about the food and the atmosphere. The worst buy every Paris-themed item available.

The short answer: serve French food (cheese, baguettes, wine), use blue, white, and red as the color scheme, and add a few French touches. The birthday party decoration kit in blue, white, and red gives you a tablecloth, banner, and balloons.

The Color Scheme

Blue, white, and red. The French flag colors. Use a blue tablecloth, white plates, and red napkins. Add a few French touches.

The Food (The Most Important Element)

The Cheese Board

A cheese board with three to five French cheeses: brie, camembert, comte, roquefort, and goat cheese. Add baguette slices, grapes, and walnuts. The cheese board is the centerpiece. The flaw: good cheese is expensive ($20 to $40). Buy from a grocery store, not a specialty shop.

The Charcuterie

A charcuterie board with pate, prosciutto, salami, and cornichons. The charcuterie is the companion to the cheese.

The Main Course

• Coq au vin (chicken in wine)
• Beef bourguignon (beef stew)
• Ratatouille (vegetable stew)
• Quiche Lorraine

The Dessert

• A tarte tatin (apple tart)
• Creme brulee
• Macarons
• A baguette with Nutella (for a casual party)

The Drinks

• French wine (a red Bordeaux or a white Sancerre)
• Champagne or sparkling wine
• Pastis (anise liqueur) for a authentic touch

The Key Decorations

The Tablecloth

A blue, white, or red tablecloth. The birthday party decoration kit in blue, white, or red works as a base.

The Centerpiece

A small Eiffel Tower figurine, a vase of flowers, or a basket of baguettes. The centerpiece should be simple, not themed.

The Banner

A “Happy Birthday” banner in blue, white, and red. Or a banner with French words (“Bon Anniversaire”). The banner sets the theme.

The Music

A playlist of French music: Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, or modern French pop. The music is the atmosphere.

The Activities

The Wine Tasting

A wine tasting with three to five French wines. The activity is the tasting. The flaw: good wine is expensive ($15 to $30 per bottle). Buy from a grocery store.

The Cheese Tasting

A cheese tasting with three to five French cheeses. The activity is the tasting. The flaw: good cheese is expensive.

The French Movie Night

A French movie with English subtitles. The activity is the movie. The food is the snacks.

What to Avoid

Avoid the Eiffel Tower backdrop. It is expensive and takes up the whole wall. Avoid the Paris-themed plates and napkins. Solid blue, white, and red is more elegant. Avoid the beret for every guest. Most guests will not wear it. Avoid buying every Paris-themed item available. Good food and a few French touches are enough.

The Verdict

A French party works when it is about the food, the wine, and the atmosphere. Blue, white, and red. A cheese board, a baguette, and a bottle of wine. A playlist of French music. The most common mistake is spending $100 on Paris-themed items the guests do not notice. Serve good food. Play French music. The food is the theme.

FAQ

How do I throw a French themed party? Serve French food (cheese, baguettes, wine), use blue, white, and red as the color scheme, and add a few French touches. Play French music.

What food works for a French party? A cheese board (brie, camembert, comte), a charcuterie board, a main course (coq au vin, beef bourguignon, ratatouille), and a dessert (tarte tatin, creme brulee, macarons).

What colors work for a French party? Blue, white, and red. The French flag colors. Use a blue tablecloth, white plates, and red napkins.

How much does a French party cost? $20 to $40 for a cheese board. $15 to $30 for a bottle of wine. $14 for a decoration kit. $10 for a baguette and grapes. Total: $59 to $94. Skip the Eiffel Tower backdrop.

What should I avoid for a French party? The Eiffel Tower backdrop (expensive), Paris-themed plates and napkins (solid colors are more elegant), berets for every guest (most will not wear them), and buying every Paris-themed item available.

What music works for a French party? A playlist of French music: Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, or modern French pop. The music is the atmosphere.

Can I throw a French party on a budget? Yes. A grocery store cheese board ($15), a baguette ($3), a bottle of grocery store wine ($10), and a blue tablecloth ($5). Total: $33. The food is the theme.

References

• Catch My Party, “French Party Ideas,” catchmyparty.com
• Party City, “International Party Supplies,” partycity.com
• The Bash, “French Party Ideas,” thebash.com