Where and How to Celebrate French Culture in the Upstate

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! 

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.

You will also find French lessons for kids at CFD Greenville. These classes are for children who want to learn French as a second language, and they have a couple of weekly after-school classes to choose from. Learn more from the CFD Greenville website about afterschool programs, storytime dates, French club, and more.

Bilingual French School

The International School of Greenville is a great place to send children who would like a fully immersive experience in learning the French language. The program is best for children who have some exposure to the French language, however, they are welcoming of any child that is willing to learn. Children from grade K2 – 12th grade can enroll in the Accelerated French program. Classes are small at the International School of Greenville, with a 6:1 ratio.

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 you can enjoy a French wine, Beaujolais Nouveau, with a French meal to celebrate the end of harvest.

January offers galette des roise, King’s Cake, which is eaten 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 annually. 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 South Main Street in Downtown Greenville.

Find out why Le Petit Croissant is such a perfect pick for your next picnic in our review!

Bonjour Main serves authentic French crêpes, coffee, and wine in the heart of Downtown Greenville.

Passerelle Bistro is a French-influenced café overlooking Falls Park.

Scoundrel is one of Downtown Greenville’s newest spots for French cuisine, with an expansive menu with items like Foie Gras or Ossetra Caviar. They also have a really nice drink menu!

The Creperia, located in the Eastside of Greer at Hudson Corner, offers French-inspired selection of crepes that are absolutely delicious, with a variety to choose from.

Mon Amie Cafe in Spartanburg is a lovely French cafe near downtown where you will find crepes, sandwiches, salads, and more. They are only open in the morning.

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 throughout Greenville!