Posted by Intelligent Travel July 19, 2011 
Some may say New York City lacks the necessary Francophile accoutrements to be considered Parisian. Instead of rues there are avenues, geometric high rises dominate the skyline, and there’s the constant hustle and bustle paired with the hum of subway trains rumbling below.
Since Marie Delecourt—author of the blog Paris in New York—moved to the U.S. in 2000 she has missed many things about France: the redolence of fermenting grapes in Épernay where she grew up next to the Moët & Chandon champagne factory; the romantic curves of Parisian architecture; and the ubiquity of alleyway cafés and corner bakeries. “It was difficult to adjust to the fast pace and the harshness [of New York],” she said. “Immigration is not easy because you have to cut out a part of who you are to integrate in the new country.”
But as a cosmopolitan metropolis, New York City is so diverse that just about anyone from anywhere could rediscover the idiosyncrasies of home and construct their own cultural enclave around them. Delecourt used to take periodic trips to France and return to New York with suitcases full of her favorite products, but she has since explored every nook and cranny of Manhattan to find them here, documenting the pursuit on her blog.
Here are six ways to feel French in New York City, recommended by Delecourt, theNew York in French community, and the French Institute Alliance Française:
Megan Snedden is a California-born writer and adventurer who currently lives in New York City. Connect with her on twitter @megansnedden.
May 21 at 6pm
by Nicholas W. F-R. Dungan
President of the French-American Foundation
The New-York Historical Society
170 Central Park West (corner of West 77th Street)
New York City
Reception Following the Lecture in the Great Hall
RSVP: [email protected]
212-829-8800 x 12
On this occasion, the French-American Foundation celebrates two anniversaries: the 400th anniversary of a permanent French presence on the American continent and the 32nd anniversary of the establishment of the French-American Foundation in May 1976. The boldness of French explorers—Cartier, Champlain, La Salle, and others—shaped the course of the early American experience and France has left a lasting, though often neglected, imprint on the North American continent. In addition, because of their unique histories, France and the United States have each developed distinct notions of nationality; Nicholas Dungan will address how each country has evolved these notions of nationality and needs to adapt them to meet new challenges in the 21st century.
Eventhough, most of the French people living in NYC flee back to France for summer, you can still enjoy some very interesting French Events in town.
. La Comedie Francaise at the Lincoln Center : July 10 to 15th
Lincoln Center Festival 2007 will present La Comédie-Française, one of the world’s greatest theater companies, in the U.S. premiere of Les Fables de La Fontaine, directed by Robert Wilson. In Wilson’s visually striking interpretation, 19 of La Fontaine’s allegorical tales are brought to life by some of France’s finest actors. Wilson originally staged Les Fables de La Fontaine for performances at the Comédie-Française in 2004. When it was greeted with wide critical and public acclaim, the production was repeated in 2005. Featuring a company of 15 actors, Les Fables de La Fontaine revolves around the animal characters of the tales—lions, birds, foxes, and crows—with their parables of human behavior seen through the eyes of a 21st-century theatrical visionary. Performances: July 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, Gerald W. Lynch Theater.
www.lincolncenter.org
. Bastille Day : sunday, July 15th. Noon to 6pm
On July 14, France celebrates Bastille Day and commemorates the 1789 storming of the Bastille prison, which marked the beginning of the French Revolution. New York is joining in the celebration with some fun events for the whole family: petanque, pastis, accordeon, waiter's race, French Cancan...a Street Fair with French Flair organized by The Alliance Francaise and French Tuesdays.
On 60th street from Fifth to Lexington Avenue, everyone is invited to be French for a day...
http://www.bastilledayusa.com/
. Citroen Automobiles and Velosolex motorized Bicycles Tour around Manhattan on July 15th
Have fun to look as the famous "2CV" driving down the city. Meeting point at Riverside Drive south and 122th (Grants Tomb). The route
Don't miss on TV:
. Le Tour de France : July 7th to 29th
. "France Will Never Forget"
On June 30th at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, more than 3000 people will form a chain on the beach and write together on the sand "France will never forget. Thank you America"
Broadcast on TV on July 4th.
The French-American Foundation cordially invites you to attend a lecture by its President Nicholas W. F-R. Dungan
“The Legacy of Lafayette and Lessons for the French-American Relationship”
Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the birth of the Marquis de Lafayette
Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Auditorium of the New York Historical Society
2 West 77th Street Entrance New York
A Reception will follow in the Great Hall
RSVP: 212-829-8800 x 18
Nicholas Dungan was elected President of the French-American Foundation in August 2005. Mr. Dungan is a member and was formerly an Associate Fellow of the Royal Institute of International Affairs at Chatham House, London, with expertise in trans-Atlantic relations and non-state actors. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the U.S.-based Chatham House Foundation and an Honorary Fellow of the Foreign Policy Association.
Prior to joining the French-American Foundation, Mr. Dungan spent more than 20 years as an international investment banker in New York, London and Paris. During his career he held senior positions with several major international firms, notably Merrill Lynch & Co. and Société Générale