This year’s French Heritage Week festivities officially kick off on July 9 with live music and dancing by Max and Compagnie, beginning at 5 p.m. at The Shack at the Hideaway.
The next event will occur at Sibs on the Mountain on July 11, beginning at 6 p.m. Music will be provided by Max and Compagnie, and followed up by Obsession Band featuring Th3rd.
On July 12, beginning at noon, Son D’ Aqui, a band from Vieques, will be sharing their musical stylings at The Shack at the Hideaway until 4 p.m.. Later that evening at 6 p.m., all roads lead to Sibs on the Mountain for a second evening filled with music and dance by Son D’ Aqui and When Band.
July 13 brings a jubilant Bastille brunch at Emerald Beach Resort beginning at 11 a.m. Live music will be provided by Max and Compagnie with Oleik.
Finally, French Heritage Week festivities culminate at the French Heritage Museum on July 14. Beginning at 10 a.m., museum tours will be available all day. Later that evening, at 6 p.m., live music, dancing, and drinks will be shared into the evening.
French Heritage Week, usually occurring around Bastille Day (July 14), honors the enduring legacy of the French community in the Virgin Islands. This celebration recognizes their profound contributions over hundreds of years, which have shaped the Virgin Islands’ culture, economy, and historical footprint.
Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789, a pivotal moment that sparked the French Revolution and reshaped France’s political landscape. In the Virgin Islands, the occasion also serves as a tribute to the local French community’s impact. From politics and education to law enforcement and healthcare, their influence is woven into the fabric of island life.
The French have also played a vital role in key industries like fishing and farming, helping to sustain the territory’s economy and traditions. Their legacy is enshrined in landmarks across St. Thomas, with roads and buildings named after prominent figures of French descent, including Lorraine Berry, Joseph Aubain, Gustave Quetel, and Emile Berry.
For more information about this year’s French Heritage Week festivities, email Odile de Lyrot at odiledelyrot@gmail.com.
St. Croix Source
Local news
