How to Celebrate Thanksgiving in France
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For many of us Americans abroad, fall in France brings memories of home and the holidays. Thanksgiving, one of the most cherished traditions back in the U.S., isn’t part of the French calendar. So how do you observe it while living across the Atlantic?
From sourcing a turkey in Paris to hosting a Friendsgiving fête (and even navigating Black Friday), here’s how to celebrate Thanksgiving in France without losing the American spirit.
Does France Celebrate Thanksgiving?
Do the French celebrate Thanksgiving? The short answer is non. It isn’t a national holiday in France as it is in the United States or Canada. Here, Thanksgiving Day is just a regular Thursday: schools stay open, offices operate as usual, and life goes on much the same as any other week in November.
That said, the idea of Thanksgiving has become increasingly known in recent years, thanks to American media and the growing expat community. Still, most French people have only a vague notion of what it represents or how deeply meaningful it is to many Americans. Even Halloween is more popular in France.
There’s also no true French equivalent of Thanksgiving. While Americans have Independence Day on July 4, and the French celebrate Bastille Day on July 14 (le quatorze juillet), there isn’t a French holiday centered on gratitude, harvest, or reflection in quite the same way. Christmas in France would likely be the most similar.
How to Celebrate Thanksgiving in France
The French don’t celebrate Thanksgiving. So what’s an American abroad to do on this special day? For expats, travelers, or anyone wanting to mark the occasion, here are some of the best ways to spend Thanksgiving in France.
Host Your Own Thanksgiving Dinner
There’s no better way to celebrate than by hosting your own Thanksgiving dinner in France. Share the tradition with your French friends or invite your fellow expats for a traditional meal chez vous.
Of course, no Thanksgiving feast is complete without a turkey, but finding one in France isn’t always easy. Turkey (dinde in French) isn’t a supermarket staple outside the Christmas season, unless it’s in cold-cut form.
You can sometimes find it in larger grocery stores like Carrefour, Leclerc, or Auchan, but for a whole bird, you’ll need to plan ahead. Start by checking out specialized butcher shops near you. It might help to look for a volaillerie, which is a butcher specializing in poultry.
A few forewarnings: you’ll need to place your order early and you can expect to pay more for a turkey than you would in the U.S. For this special occasion, it might be worth it!
If all else fails, you might just settle for a roast chicken. It’s much more common in France, especially for a family weekend meal and around Christmas.
For side dishes, bring out the classics like mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce and roasted vegetables. Some American ingredients like fresh cranberries can be harder to find in France, although I have found mini marshmallows and dried cranberries at my local supermarket.
There are also plenty of fall French dishes to accompany your Thanksgiving turkey: gratin dauphinois, a creamy velouté, roasted chestnuts, and a cheese platter.
Round out your Turkey Day spread with dessert. Pumpkin pie is clearly the most iconic, but canned pumpkin is rare in France. If you can’t find it, look for fresh potiron or butternut squash to roast and blend into your own purée.
I’ve also found frozen pumpkin purée at Picard. It’s a bit too liquidy for pie, but I’ve had success using it in other pumpkin recipes like soup and bread.
Around late November, some grocery stores stock canned pumpkin and pie spices, so keep an eye out. I keep a bottle of pumpkin pie spice in my pantry, but it’s also not too hard to make yourself with spices readily available in France.
And if you can’t seem to come across pumpkin, you might try another classic American pie like apple or pecan. Both are much easier to make with local ingredients.
Finally, if you’re inviting French friends, I’d suggest preparing information about Thanksgiving and the story behind each dish. You’ll get to share about this American holiday and maybe even learn something new yourself! I also love the tradition of going around the table to share what everyone’s thankful for.
To say “Happy Thanksgiving” in French, you would say “Joyeux Thanksgiving” or, in Canadian French, “Joyeuse Action de grâce”, since Thanksgiving in Canada is an official holiday there!
Celebrate with Other Expats
Thanksgiving is all about togetherness, even if you’re far from home. Why not invite friends, family, or fellow expats to join your celebration? Many cities in France have large international communities, and this holiday can be a perfect opportunity to connect.
Check local expat Facebook groups, forums or meetup groups to see if there are any Thanksgiving gatherings nearby. In Strasbourg, for instance, Americans in Alsace host a large annual Thanksgiving feast. In larger cities like Paris or Lyon, you’ll likely find communal dinners at restaurants, embassies, or cultural centers.
Even if your circle is small, a dinner with a few friends (American or otherwise) can be a lovely way to celebrate the fourth Thursday of November.
Watch an NFL Football Game
Thanksgiving and American football go hand in hand. While the French aren’t typically huge NFL fans, you can still enjoy the excitement of a Thanksgiving Day game outside of the States.
Some sports bars and pubs in major cities stream the games. If you’re celebrating Thanksgiving in Paris, try Harry's New York Bar, The Moose, The Long Hop, or The Great Canadian Pub. In Strasbourg, I caught the Super Bowl last year at Le Meteor, but I haven’t found a spot showing Thanksgiving Day football.
If a sports bar isn’t an option, streaming at home is just as easy. You can follow the games on FOX, CBS, and NBC via streaming services like YouTube TV or FuboTV. The Lions vs. Packers matchup is also available for free on Tubi or FOX One with a free 7-day trial. NBC games stream on Peacock, while CBS games are available on Paramount+.
This year, the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys will take the field, joined by the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, and Baltimore Ravens.
You might even host your own viewing party at home with fellow football fans.
Dine Out
If you’re visiting France, working on Thanksgiving Day or just don’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen, you don’t have to skip the feast. Dine out instead and enjoy the holiday sans the stress of cooking. Plus, you’ll get to savor your carb-loaded meal with plenty of excellent French wine.
In larger cities, many American-owned restaurants host traditional Thanksgiving dinners. In Paris, options include Cocoricains, Milagro, Breakfast In America, Treize au Jardin, and Le Drugstore. Some hotels offer special Thanksgiving Day menus, including Paris Marriott Champs Élysées, Hôtel des Grands Voyageurs, and Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opéra.
These dinners can also be a great way to meet other Americans and expats celebrating abroad. If you’re planning a restaurant outing, make reservations well in advance, since Thanksgiving dinners can fill up quickly.
Even if you can’t find a classic American Thanksgiving meal near you, book a table at a French restaurant and try all of the traditional fall comfort foods like boeuf bourguignon, coq au vin, cassoulet, and soupe à l’oignon. For dessert, you might indulge in a slice of tarte tatin or tarte normande, both apple-based sweets.
Organize Your Own Turkey Trot
For those who like to balance a big Thanksgiving meal with a bit of exercise, the traditional Turkey Trot is often on our itinerary for the day. While you won’t find any Thanksgiving-themed 5Ks in France, you can easily organize your own unofficial walk or run with friends and family. Whether it’s before work, before dinner, or after your meal, choose a nearby park for a stroll or jog.
You can make it festive too! Encourage everyone to wear fall colors or even make little turkey bibs for participants. It doesn’t need to be a competitive race like in the States either, just a good excuse to get outdoors and digest. In Paris, you have so many beautiful parks to choose from like the Luxembourg Gardens, Bois de Boulogne, or Parc des Buttes-Chaumont.
Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
If you’re far from home, you can still get your fix of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. This year marks nearly the 100th parade down Manhattan’s 6th Avenue, beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET (2:30 p.m. in France).
While you won’t be among the crowds lining Central Park West, you can stream the parade on Peacock, DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, or Sling TV using a VPN (I personally use NordVPN).
If you can’t watch live, don’t worry: replays are usually available, so you can still enjoy the floats, performances, and festive balloons at your convenience.
Skip the Turkey Day Celebrations
Not every expat feels the need to celebrate Thanksgiving, and that’s perfectly okay. Some years, I’ve completely forgotten about it until I scroll through Instagram and see everyone else posting their tablescapes and outfits.
Being abroad can make recreating holiday traditions tricky, and sometimes trying too hard only reminds you of what you’re missing. If you’re feeling a bit lonely or nostalgic, consider doing something different: take a fall trip in France, volunteer, or get a head start on Christmas decorating to shift your focus to the next festive season.
In Strasbourg, the Christmas markets actually open just a few days before Thanksgiving! Paris is similarly festive with markets and lights appearing across the city from late November. Sometimes partaking in the local celebrations and events is all you need to feel content.
Black Friday in France
Interestingly, while there isn’t an official French Thanksgiving, the country has fully embraced the concept of Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving in the U.S.). Alongside traditional French sales (les soldes), it has become an established part of France’s retail calendar.
Retailers often extend the event into a full weekend, a “Black Week,” or even a “Black Month,” offering discounts on everything from technology and fashion to home goods. Major French stores like Auchan, Fnac, Darty, La Redoute, and Picard participate, both online and in-store.
Unlike in the U.S., you won’t see huge crowds lining up outside stores. The event is largely internet-driven. Cyber Monday and Cyber Week take place after Black Friday with even more deals exclusively online.
Are you celebrating Thanksgiving in France this year? What are your plans? Let me know in the comments below.
