The History and Significance of French-American Heritage Month

July is dedicated to French-American Heritage Month. This month is a time to celebrate and honor the cultural contributions and positive global influence the French have had here in the United States. France has made impactful contributions to art, culture, language, etiquette and so much more.

One of the most famous French-American alliances is the Statue of Liberty. Not many people know that the Statue of Liberty was made in France and given to the United States as a gesture of good faith and friendship from the French.

Influential French-Americans and Their Contributions

A well-known French-American is Timothee Chalamet. He is an actor most known for his roles in modern movies such as Dune and Little Women. Another famous French-American with influences in film and television is Julia Louis-Dreyfus. She is best known for her role in Seinfeld. Both individuals have made contributions to film and television. The final French-American to be acknowledged is David Guetta. He is a DJ and record producer, selling over 10 million albums and 65 million singles globally with more than 14 billion online streams. He has had a monumental influence on the global music industry. These are just a few of the most recognizable French-Americans to have many lasting impacts on American culture.

Celebrating French Culture in America

There are many ways to celebrate French-American Heritage Month. One of the best ways to immerse yourself in French culture is by visiting an Alliance Française. These are global organizations that promote the French language and culture. They have an “open door” policy that allows anyone to visit and learn more about French culture. They offer various activities including history, language courses, and French film screenings.

Another way to celebrate is by enjoying French cuisine. French pastries are world-famous. Some notable ones to try are croissants, baguettes, macaroons (almond cookies), tarte tatin (caramelized fruit tarte), and éclair (pastry filled with sweet cream). On a more local level, various festivals happen during the summer in and around the Indianapolis area celebrating global French cuisine. These are just some of the delicious and sweet ways to celebrate French-American Heritage.

At The International Center

The idea of building relations with countries from around the world is a pivotal part of what makes The International Center such a valuable organization in the Indianapolis community. Our President and CEO, Martin Baier, serves as the Honorary Consul of France to Indiana. Martin shares I have the great pleasure to serve French expatriates with consular matters, especially in emergencies, and actively promote economic, cultural, and educational ties between France and Indiana.

Here at The Center, we are proud to have Martin’s global expertise and international ties to continue to foster these important relationships between France and America.