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Because I live to please you, once again I've rounded up a great selection of American Thanksgiving celebrations here in the South of France. Who attends these gala soirées? Local expats of course, but also hungry French folks and other Europeans, travelers, house guests...whomever!
Over the years, many of my French friends have told me they love the idea of celebrating this American holiday...to meet new people, to sample unusual foods, to learn the history and traditions. At a friend's Thanksgiving in Provence a few years back, one French guest told me he loved how the various dishes were served all at once—family style--rather than in courses. Another said he was looking forward to his first taste of cranberry sauce, which he called red fruits jam.
While the literal translation of Thanksgiving is Action de Grâce, most French people just call it Thanksgiving...except for my friend Philippe who refers to it as Merci Donnant, which he says "means absolutely nothing at all." Over the years, we’ve shared many wonderful Thanksgivings together at various friends’ houses. “It’s like having a second Xmas in the same year,” Philippe says. “But I miss that I never got to see the big family argument part you see in many movies!”
As of this writing, all of the celebrations below have space available except one that's wait list only. But book soon because most have limited capacity and they'll all fill up. I've also included a source for Thanksgiving takeaway (at all three Biocoop - La Coumpagnie stores in Aix, with an eat-in option at one of them). If you know of any that aren't listed here, please email me (whattodoinprovence@gmail.com) so I can share the info.
If you're looking to celebrate Thanksgiving in a Paris restaurant, have a look at the listings here and here. You could also try the American University Clubs of France, the American Church of Paris and the American Club of Paris...they've all hosted events in the past. And for a Thanksgiving cooking class in Paris click here but hurry...there's only two spots left.
Finally, a big American hug and thank you from me to you: for reading and supporting my blog...for sharing it with friends...for commenting on the stories you particularly enjoy. I wish you all the most joyous and delicious Merci Donnant, wherever you plan to spend it!
La Table des Amis at La Galine in St. Remy
Over the years I've been to many fantastic Thanksgiving celebrations in Provence but last year, none of my friends wanted to cook. So we convinced Bastien Maltagliati, owner of the Bistrot de Saint Remy, to host a Thanksgiving celebration at the restaurant. My friends at the culinary-and-travel club La Table des Amis offered to handle all the booking through their website, which made things super easy. The event was a huge success--I think 72 people came--and the food was super, thanks to chef Richard Smache and his crew.
This year, however, Bastien will be closed during that period, to give his staff a break before the holiday rush. So the 2025 St. Remy Thanksgiving celebration will take place at another one of our favorite restaurants, the Bistrot de La Galine...just east of the village on the D99. David Carpita, one of the founders of La Table des Amis, has done the menu planning with La Galine's owners Ingrid and Marc Devaux...and once again the group will handle reservations as well. The lunch is Thursday Nov. 27, from 12:30 to 3:30. It's open to anyone who wants to join in--singles, couples, families, kids--and all nationalities are welcome. Seating will be at communal tables of 10 to 14 each, the meal will be served family style and 70 people are expected. It's 60€ (members), 65€ (non members) and half price for kids under 12. For more details or to book, click here.
La Table des Amis de Provence is a non-profit association that ''connects wine and food lovers to a table of friends.'' Founded in 2022, they now have close to 200 members and offer events such as a lunches on fête days (such as Transhumance), farm-to-table visits, “safaris” to Italy and Spain and more. Membership is 15€ for singles and 25€ for couples. To join, click here.
Biocoop - La Coumpagnie in Aix
This will be the 10th year that Biocoop - La Coumpagnie in Aix has been offering homemade organic Thanksgiving meals, made from owner Rick Harrison’s family recipes. This year they'll offer an eat-in option for lunch on Thursday Nov. 27 at their Pioline (840 ave du Camp de Menthe) and Puyricard/Célony (20 chemin des Gervais) locations, as well as take out from all three of their service delis, including their deli location near the center of Aix (4 rue Pierre de Coubertin).
The delivery and take-away service has been a huge success for people who want to celebrate at home...but not cook. ''Our French, English and American clientele really love it and we have a very loyal clientele who comes back year after year," Rick tells me. ''Anyone who wants a home-cooked holiday meal without the fuss!” As in year’s past, the menu (turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, candied yams, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, pecan pie and classic cheesecake) will be “100% organic, 0% GMOs and 100% homemade from American family recipes.” To come for lunch, no reservations are needed...just show up. For takeaway or delivery, please order with Rick before Monday Nov. 24 at 5 pm: +33 (0)6 81 34 85 74, rick@biocoop-lacoumpagnie.fr
Le Saint Hubert in the Luberon
The lovely Le Saint Hubert in Saint Saturnin les Apt will serve their annual Thanksgiving long table dinner for 48€ per person on Thursday Nov. 27. They welcome guests to arrive around 7 pm for a cocktail and the dinner begins at 7:30 pm. To reserve, please call +33 4 90 75 42 02.
Thanksgiving at Les Halles in Avignon
Once again, American
chef Jon Chiri will offer a holiday plat
du jour lunch on Thanksgiving Day, at his cafe and
cooking school in the Les Halles Market in Avignon. Lunch is 26€ without pumpkin pie or 32€ with. Jon will be serving brined, slow-cooked
turkey leg roulade with all the accompaniments. A mug of mulled wine is included and other wines will be available. For
info or to book: +33
6 46 89 85 33, contact@jonathanchiri.com.
American Club of the Riviera in Nice
This year, the American Club of the Riviera will hold their Annual Thanksgiving Day Luncheon at the iconic Hôtel Negresco. They'll start with a Champagne reception at noon followed by a traditional Thanksgiving lunch at 12:30 pm. Pricing and all other details are here. Non-members who join the ACR now will get members pricing for events for the rest of 2025 and all of 2026.
MonacoUSA in Monte Carlo
MonacoUSA will host their annual Thanksgiving Dinner at Marius Restaurant and Bar. (MonacoUSA is a social and business network for Americans, Monegasques and other English-speaking members of the international community.) Festivities kick off at 6:30 with a happy hour cash bar, and dinner will be served at 7:30. It's €100 for members, €120 for non-members and all the details are here. For more info: monacousa.mc@gmail.com.
Adrian Leeds Group in Nice
In Nice, the Adrian Leeds Group is having their third annual Thanksgiving at the restaurant Carre D'or. It's currently sold out (at 90 people) but there is a wait list...and all the info is here. To be put on the wait list, use the use the “Contact Us” button on the website.
Just Added: Democrats Abroad--Avignon Chapter Lunch in Cavaillon
Once again the DA-Avignon Chapter will gather for Thanksgiving and all are welcome. The family style event is Saturday Nov. 29 from 1 pm to 5 pm in Cavaillon. The catered turkey will be supplemented by traditional potluck favorites. Everyone is asked to contribute something such as a starter, side, dessert or drink. There are always leftovers so doggie bags will be provided! Seating is limited so please confirm ASAP with the number of guests and your food or drink contributions. Suggestions include a pasta dish, cheeses, fish, sausages or other meats, potatoes, yams, turnips, your favorite stuffing, salad, desserts/pies, etc. Once you reserve, you'll be sent the address and contact info of the host, who'll follow up with you to organize your food contribution. To reserve: dennis.shibut@gmail.com
Above: The much-loved, often-parodied painting is Norman Rockwell's "Freedom from Want" from 1942. Everyone in it was a Rockwell family member or friend; they were photographed individually and painted into the scene. Learn more about the painting and artist here.
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