STE. GENEVIEVE — The annual French Heritage Festival will take place on Saturday, June 13, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the rich traditions and the future evolution of one of Missouri’s oldest communities. Held in the heart of Ste. Genevieve’s National Historic Landmark District, the festival celebrates the region’s deep French and Creole roots through an
exploration of the historical context and broader French diaspora that gave life to this little bastion of culture.
Ste. Genevieve’s story is part of the wider 18th century French colonial settlements that once stretched from Quebec to New Orleans, linking communities along rivers and trade routes through shared language, faith, and culture. That legacy continues to live on in this unique river town, inviting guests to explore a place where history is not just remembered—it is experienced.
Visitors can expect a full day of experiences, including:
- Live traditional Missouri French and Cajun music that creates dialogue between two distinct, but related, cultures
- Opening ceremony at 11:30 am with the chance to join in the traditional Grand Promenade and to hear the Marquis de Lafayette speak
- French legacy foods served
- An open air Parisian-style market hosted by Jenny B, Fox Stoneware, and Schultz Antiques
- Interact with skilled craftsmen and artisans in live demonstrations
- Expert-led talks by today’s thought leaders in French Creole America
- Opportunities to explore rare French vertical log homes, and their charming secluded gardens
- An iconic Frontier French Dance in the private gardens of the National Register Jean Baptiste Valle house from 6-8 pm
The Ste. Genevieve French Heritage Festival offers more than a look back in time. It is an open invitation to step into a living story—one shaped by generations of movement, exchange, and creativity. Guests are encouraged to wander historic streets, savor traditions that have stood the test of time, and discover how the past continues to influence the present.
Come for the heritage. Stay for the feeling that you’ve found a place where history welcomes you in.
For more information, visit HistoricSteGen.org.
To rent period attire for the Frontier French Dance, visit: ensemblesofthepast.com/stegenevieve .