Table of Contents
What is Thanksgiving ?
History of Thanksgiving
Before celebrating Thanksgiving in Paris, let’s introduce the history of Thanksgiving. It is one of the most important national holiday for American families and friends. This christian event dates back to 1621 in Plymouth Colony (part of actual Massachusetts). It was initially commemorated by the Pilgrim Fathers who sailed from England and native Wampanoag in order to thank and express gratitude for the good harvest of the year. It is celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday of November in the US. Thanksgiving is the perfect event for Family Gatherings around a big roasted turkey ! It also exists in other countries such as Canada, Germany, Liberia, Grenada and Saint Lucia.
Thanksgiving traditional food
The best way to celebrate this annual American holiday is…to eat ! American foods are varied and tasty and even more during Thanksgiving ! Here you can find our selection of the best traditional food and recipes for the occasion:
- Delicious Sweet potatoes (made with flour, white sugar, orange juice, cinnamon, mini marshmallow, margarine)
- Generous Turkey (made with onions, lemon, apple, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, butter, garlic, fresh sage)
- Traditional Green bean casserole (made with cream of mushrooms soup, cheddar cheese, french fried onion)
- Amazing Cranberry sauce (made with fresh cranberries, sugar, water, orange zest, cinnamon)
- Colored Pumpkin pie (made with eggs, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, ginger, heavy cream, milk, ground cloves)
- Original Pecan pie (made with eggs, light corn syrup, brown sugar, molasses, vanilla extract, butter)
Activities to do during Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is the perfect occasion to share a moment with family and friends! Here you can find some examples of the most common activities :
- Sharing a family meal near the fireplace in order to strengthen relationships in a cozy ambiance and connect on a personal level.
- Going to church in order to pray and thank for the good moments and things life offers.
- Viewing sporting events such as American Football, which is one of the many tradition in the US at this time.
- Playing funny games with all the family; here are ideas you will enjoy:
- Mini Pumpkin Hunt – Hide pumpkins all over the house. The players have to look for the most little pumpkin. The one who finds it in a determined timing wins.
- Pumpkin Roll – Choose big pumpkins and find a place with a lot of space for this game. Each participant has to drive a pumpkin to the finish line with their hands. The first pumpkin crossing the line wins.
- Turkey Tag (outdoor game) – Each participant puts three clothespins on their clothes. The goal of the game is to steal as much clothespins as possible from their competitors. There is a limited timing. The player with the most of clothespins wins.
- What’s Missing ? – Place 20 items related to Thanksgiving (for example pumpkins, candy corns, pilgrims figurines…) . Players have to memorize all the items in 30 seconds and then close their eyes. Remove one of the items. Then, players reopen their eyes and must find which item is missing. The first participant who finds the answer wins.
How to celebrate Thanksgiving in Paris ?
How did Thanksgiving arrive in Paris ?
Even though French people do not celebrate Thanksgiving, the city of light offers a lot of options for the ones who want to live the experience! We can thank Art Buchwald, an American humorist journalist who wrote in 1952 the story of Thanksgiving for the French when he lived in Paris. He made a chronic named “Le Jour du Merci Donnant” which means Thanksgiving in French, in order to explain Thanksgiving in a funny way and make it popular. And it was a success! Then, Thanksgiving gradually made its own place in Paris.
4 Places to eat a nice American Diner
As a very cosmopolitan city, Paris proposes a lot of options of American Restaurants to celebrate le “Merci Donnant”. Brunch, fast-food, bistronomic…We are spoiled for choice! We made a selection of our most popular adresses for a nice Thanksgiving meal in the city center:
- Joe Allen – 30 rue Pierre Lescot, Paris 1st Arrondissement
Built in 1972, this place is the older American restaurant in Paris and seduce every US lovers with its old New York style. It is specialized in authentic American food such as burgers and pork ribs. Brunch is available on Saturday and Sunday. For Thanksgiving, you can expect a delicious turkey dinner.
- Milagro Paris – 85 avenue Bosquet, Paris 7th Arrondissement
Milagro is the 2nd Bistronomic Restaurant created by American Chef Justin Kent. It’s a few steps away of the Eiffel Tower. This place offers an international and refined menu. Chef Kent had the wonderful idea to organize a typical Thanksgiving Dinner for the occasion. You can eat directly at the restaurant or book your meal on click and collect and eat at home !
- Hard Rock Cafe – 14 Boulevard Montmartre, Paris 9th Arrondissement
Known for its Rock’n Roll energy, the Hard Rock Cafe is one of the most famous American restaurant chain. It opened its door in 1991 in Paris and became the unavoidable of classic American food. For Thanksgiving, they organize a traditional hearty meal to share with relatives at lunch and dinner.
- Breakfast in America – 17 rue des Ecoles, Paris 5th Arrondissement – 4 rue Malher, Paris 4th Arrondissement
Breakfast in America is a brand which offers authentic American dinners of the 50’s. This is the perfect address to immerse yourself in a retro ambiance with vintage red banquettes just like in the US movies! It proposes traditional and generous Thanksgiving plate for the special occasion.
4 Places to visit for Thanksgiving in Paris
For this special holiday, special activities are needed. No worries, Paris is full of surprise for a successful Thanksgiving! Yon can find wonderful places and monuments to visit in the city center :
- American Church of Paris – 65 Quai d’Orsay, Paris 7th Arrondissement
This Protestant Church was created in 1814 . It’s the first one established out of USA! Its edifice was achieved in 1931 in a gothic style.
- Liberty statue – Musée d’Orsay, Paris
Symbol of modernity and American dream, there are actually 6 Liberty Statues in Paris. This Statue was made by Auguste Bartholdi in 1899 and sold to the Luxembourg Museum. This fine monument moved to Orsay Museum on 2012.
- United States Place – Avenue d’Iéna, Paris 16th arrondissement
This place was inaugurated on 1881. It owns its name to Levi Morton, United States ambassador in Paris. It’s a perfect place to share a picnic or play outdoor games with family !
- Eiffel Tower
Created on 1889 by Gustave Eiffel, Eiffel Tower is part of France tradition and has so much to offer. It’s the perfect destination for sharing a magical family moment enjoying the view of the City of Light, or sharing a nice dinner, but this time, in a French way!
Thanksgiving in Paris: Where to sleep ?
The best neighborhood you can find in the city center of Paris is certainly Saint Germain des Prés in the 6th arrondissement. It’s traditional, convivial, artistic, festive and safe. Our recommendation is Hotel des 2 Continents in rue Jacob. It’s a cozy, friendly and familial Hotel in the heart of Saint Germain. In other words, the perfect place for Thanksgiving! You can enjoy nice traditional rooms with a shower or a bathtub. Rooms with a balcony are available upon request to fully enjoy the beautiful view!
Our rooms are equipped with :
- Free Wi-Fi
- Safe
- Courtesy tray
- Individual air conditioning
- Flat-screen television
- Telephone
- Wardrobe
- Bathroom with shower or bath
- Hairdryer
- Luggage rack
- Eco-labeled amenities
- Desk
Hotel des Deux Continents offers a hearty buffet breakfast every morning from 7AM to 11AM for 15 euros per person. This Hotel Paris 6th arrondissement is a few step away from metro stations, restaurants, monuments, gardens and museums such as Orsay Museum or Louvre Museum by foot.
We wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving in Paris !
