July Celebrations & French-American Heritage Month

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July is the month of one of the most celebrated of French national holidays – France’s “Fête Nationale” or National Celebration, Bastille Day. The day bustles with fanfare-filled parades, flyovers, and fireworks marking the fall of the Bastille in Paris and the beginning of the French Revolution.

Additionally, in the United States, July is recognized as French-American Heritage Month. This observance honours the rich cultural and historical contributions of French Americans, celebrating the enduring ties between France and the U.S. with various events and activities throughout the month.

Revel in the Celebrations

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Revel in the celebrations

July is the time to immerse yourself in one of France’s most vibrant celebrations: Bastille Day. This national holiday, also known as France’s “Fête Nationale,” marks the fall of the Bastille and the beginning of the French Revolution. The day is filled with lively parades, spectacular fireworks, and patriotic events across the country.

From your comfortable home aboard the C’est La Vie, you’ll experience the grandeur and historical significance of Bastille Day, celebrating the French spirit and the rich history that has shaped the nation.

Serene adventures along the River Marne

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Serene adventures along the River Marne

Wending your way peacefully along the tranquil River Marne, catch a glimpse of birdlife darting across the flow. Charmingly rustic villages touch the river’s edge. Languid branches lean in from the verdant banks, trailing their leaves atop the gentle waters as dappled sunlight casts fleeting shadows on the deck of the C’est La Vie. The smell of fresh coffee rises from your cup.

This peaceful morning is a fitting prelude to an absorbing afternoon visiting the area’s most significant sites and memorials to the nearby battles of World War I.

Discover the region’s heroic legacy

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Discover the region’s heroic legacy

Your first stop is the grand Château-Thierry American Monument. Designed by French-born Philadelphian architect, Paul Cret, and almost 100 years old, the monument stands testament to the valour and determination of American and French soldiers during some of the most pivotal battles of the First World War.

Steadfast and imposing in its seat on the edge of the Champagne vineyards, the monument overlooks the town of Chateau Thierry with rolling views extending out across the Marne Valley.

Admiring the west façade, you’ll discover two solemn figures standing hand-in-hand. Embodying France and America, these figures capture the timeless bond between the two countries, forged in the fires of the Battle of Belleau Wood. You can’t help but feel the strength of this alliance.

After taking in the gravity of the monument, you’ll be chauffeur driven past the town, through French countryside to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery which rests at the edge of the historic battleground of Belleau Wood. A place of pilgrimage for soldiers, even today.

With its sweeping curve of headstones and stately memorial chapel decorated with sculptures and stained glass reflecting the conflict, Aisne Marne adjoins the woodland where the fiercest of fighting took place.

Join Us

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You look forward to welcoming you for an unforgettable experience that blends vibrant Bastille Day celebrations with peaceful reflections, honouring the rich tapestry of French and American history.