Are you wondering where and how to celebrate French culture in the Upstate? Local mom Deborah provides a complete list of ways to embrace French culture in our area. This list includes everything from French classes to French food and much more!Â
I loved French class in high school and college. We ate French food, talked about French culture, and talked to each other in as much French as we could. However, I always knew that the best way to learn French would be to live where French is spoken. Maybe you too would like to immerse yourself in French culture. Maybe you want to feel at home again and keep your culture and language alive in your children. Or, perhaps you just want to know more about the French culture in our area.
Bienvenue à  Greenville!
French Classes
Upstate International offers French classes for all levels as well as multiple ways to connect with other French people in our community.
French Conversations
If you just want to practice your French, go to Hampton Memorial Library in Easley on the third Tuesday of every month.
Bilingual French School
Started in 1974 by the Michelin Society, the Bilingual French School educates French children from K5 through 12th grade. The school helps children reintegrate into French culture while also helping them learn American culture.
French Holidays
The French Alliance is over 100 years old and has chapters all over the world designed to promote French language and culture. Our local chapter, French Alliance of Piedmont, organizes French classes, books clubs, and conversation groups. They also organize special events to celebrate French holidays.
In November, a French wine, Beaujolais Nouveau is enjoyed along with a French meal to celebrate the end of harvest.
In early January, galette des roise, King’s Cake, is shared to celebrate the day the wise men came to see Jesus.
In February, crêpes are made to celebrate La Chandeleur, the day Mary brought Jesus to the temple.
In March, International Francophonie Day celebrates French people and cultures around the world.
Bastille Day, French Independence Day, is celebrated on July 14. The French love horses, so Black Sheep Farm, an organization in Fountain Inn that used horses to help young children develop socially, sponsors Bastille Day Greenville each July.
French Food
Authentique French Crêperie serves authentic French crêpes, galettes, salads, sandwiches and coffee in Simpsonville.
Le Petit Croissant serves French influenced pastries, chocolates and coffee on the West End.
Crêpe du Jour serves authentic French crêpes, coffee, and wine in the heart of downtown Greenville.
Passerelle Bistro is a French influenced café overlooking Falls Park.
French is the sixth most widely spoken language in the world and twenty-nine countries have French as their official language. Let’s enjoy the French culture that can be found in Greenville!
