America 250: Celebrating 250 Years of French and American Friendship

The Hermione Ship in La Rochelle
© AdobeStock_81724075 - The Hermione Ship in La Rochelle

France and the United States have shared more than a friendship for 250 years. We have shared sacrifice, innovation, culture, creativity, and even words that have crossed the Atlantic and become part of a common vocabulary.

Today, those words are an invitation to experience France. From the grandeur of Versailles and the voyage of L'Hermione to the artistic legacy of Bartholdi and the Normandy landscapes that have inspired generations, each destination reveals a different chapter in the enduring friendship between our two nations while encouraging a more meaningful and sustainable way to explore the country.

For 250 years, we've shared these words with you. Now, it's your rendez-vous.

Come experience them for yourself.

America 250

250 years of Franco-American ties

Legendary artist, resistance hero, and civil rights icon, Joséphine Baker made the Château des Milandes her home for many years, raising her "rainbow family" in this historic estate. Discover this extraordinary woman’s legacy on a day tour to the heart of the Dordogne, where her story comes to life.

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A Shared History

Stories that Rewrote the World

Where History Comes to Life

The Arts and Culture that Unite Us

Words That Crossed the Atlantic

Discover French words that have crossed the Atlantic and explore the meaning behind France's most beautiful expressions.

rendez-vous bon voyage joie de vivre
terroir déjà vu savoir-faire
art de vivre amitié = friendship cuisine
chic souvenir café
boutique avant-garde flâner magnifique
raison d'être

Explore more than 250 French words and expressions through an interactive experience designed to make language feel alive.

Feel It in French