Plan a French Theme Day to Remember!
Looking to celebrate Bastille Day or plan a full French-themed day at school? Whether you want to bring French culture alive across the curriculum or host an unforgettable end-of-term event, here are some inspiring, practical ideas that work brilliantly across primary settings.
French Theme Day Ideas for Primary Schools
Set Up a French Café
Transform your classroom or hall into a French café. Year 6 pupils take on the roles of waiters/waitresses, chefs, and entertainers, while other classes visit as ‘customers’ to order, taste French snacks, and enjoy light French-themed entertainment. Use tablecloths, menus, and signs in French for an authentic touch.
French Menu for School Dinners
Coordinate with your school kitchen to serve a French-inspired lunch—think quiche, ratatouille, crêpes, a cheese platter, and baguettes. Alternatively, you could offer a French-style breakfast menu with croissants, pain au chocolat, orange juice, and hot chocolate.
Play Boules in the Playground
Take learning outside with a game of pétanque (boules). It’s a great way to introduce traditional French leisure activities in a hands-on way.
Eiffel Tower Construction Challenge
Set pupils a challenge to build their own Eiffel Tower models using straws, spaghetti, or other materials. Great for teamwork, creativity, and STEM links.
Explore the Francophonie
Go beyond France by exploring French-speaking countries around the world. Use music, art, stories, and flags to highlight the global reach of the French language.
Invite a Native French Speaker
Enrich the day by welcoming a French-speaking parent or community member to talk to pupils, read a story, or answer simple questions in French.
Whole-School French Assembly
Begin the day with a celebratory assembly featuring simple French songs like “Bonjour, Bonjour,” “Où habites-tu?” and “Quel âge as-tu?” from your scheme of work.
French Bingo in the Hall
Host a high-energy French bingo session using numbers, colours, or vocabulary themes. Great for mixed-age or whole-school participation.
Create Art Inspired by a French Artist
Focus on an iconic French artist like Matisse and let children produce their own work in his style using cut-outs, collage, or bright colour blocks.
Green Screen Virtual Visits
Use green screen backgrounds to create virtual visits to famous French landmarks. Pupils can act as tour guides or record postcards home from Paris!
Build an Interactive Language Wall
Encourage all pupils to take part in a living wall display. Examples include:
“Mon anniversaire est en…” – Add a counter for your birthday month
“Ma couleur préférée est…” – Add a coloured card or sticker for your favourite colour
Playground Games in French
Teach simple games with French instructions like “Jacques a dit” (Simon says) or French clapping rhymes to bring language learning outdoors.
Don’t Forget Bastille Day (14th July)
Bastille Day is France’s national day and a perfect hook for a themed celebration. Mark the occasion with activities like:
Making a French rosette (cocarde tricolore) using coloured paper and a simple template
Watching a video or sharing a short story about the history of Bastille Day. Watch here!
Hosting a mini French parade or classroom celebration with flags, music, and art
With a little planning and lots of creativity, a French theme day can be a memorable experience for the whole school—and a fantastic way to show that languages are for everyone!