How to Host A French Themed Olympic Viewing Party
My friend Kalie gets credit for the idea on this post. In case you missed it, the Olympics are in Paris this summer. There has been so much buzz in the city for months. I considered going but decided against it because I don’t do well with crowds. I am excited to watch the opening ceremony along the Seine and a few events, with gymnastics at the top of my list. The Frenchify series is back for a fun and creative way to host a French-themed Olympic viewing party. I hope you enjoy my ideas and share your plans for the festivities. Since the kick-off is on a Friday afternoon, it is an excellent way to transition into the weekend.
You can use this post for a helpful guide to the Paris Olympic opening ceremony details
Color Scheme for the Olympic Party
With the Fourth of July earlier this month, I missed all the American flags and red, white, and blue decor. For a fun, festive twist, I ordered a French flag garland and some candies. I loved the idea of incorporating gold and silver with candy. You can take this further and dress up for the occasion with a pop of red and blue. Now that my menu is set and prepared, I will have time to plan something for Friday.
Madeleines with Blueberries and Raspberries
To go with the French theme, I love baking madeleines and will find any excuse to make them. I use this recipe from La Cuisine. Keep an eye on the oven temperature as mine runs hot, and I need to reduce the start temperature by 50 degrees, or they will burn. I keep my pan greased and floured in the freezer for a cold shock once it enters the oven. You can always play around with the basic recipe once you get the hang of it. My twist on the madeleines is always adding a little vanilla bean or lemon zest to the batter. Fresh fruit such as blueberries, raspberries, or chocolate chips are fun too!
I use a madeleine pan similar to this one.
French Quiche for Lunch
The Olympics will start at sunset in Paris at 8:24 pm, around lunchtime in the US at 1:24. To start the party, make a French quiche for lunch with a mixed greens salad.
My husband loves quiche and requests it often. We pick it up from the Farmer’s Market or local French bakery when I don’t make it. You can mix and match any ingredients to make yours. I quickly cook the ingredients on the stove with olive oil and combine them with the eggs and milk mixture. Store-bought pie crust works great; I buy mine at Whole Foods in the freezer department. I top the quiche with cheese before baking. We opted for feta since I love the light and salty taste mixed with the eggs.
For this quiche, I used cherry tomatoes, spinach, and feta. I used this Emile Henry pie pan. You can also use a tart pan, which is shallower and requires fewer eggs. Since the pan is thicker, I used a dozen eggs for this quiche.
Henri was very much into the menu and couldn’t wait for a baguette or cheese to drop from the table.
Emile Henry Favorite Pieces Used for The Party
Make A French Cheese Board: How to Host a French-Themed Olympic Viewing Party
The French typically tear off a piece of baguette instead of cutting it. I selected three cheeses: a French soft brie cheese, comté (I can’t have a cheese board without it), and a truffle hard cheese. Mini pie dishes from Emile Henry held dried fruits, nuts, and olives.
I grabbed a baguette from my local bakery to add to three French cheeses.
Add whatever you wish to the cheese board to put your twist on it. I picked up a delicious white chocolate with nuts in Italy, which I added to the table and red Twizlers for a pop of red candy.
Drinks to Serve for Your Olympic Viewing Party
You can never go wrong with champagne! I decided to do a bottle of Rosé and a mint lemonade with raspberries for a nonalcoholic drink option.
Add Some Olympic Themed Games
I asked my neighbor what her work was doing for the Olympics, and she mentioned they were having a few team race events with gold, silver, and bronze medal awards. It sounded like such a fun way to end the work week if you are in an office with co-workers.
Don’t worry; Henri taste-tested every madeleine and cheese I had available—the best co-worker and boss.
*Thank you to Kalie for inspiring this post and Emile Henry for providing some great baking and serving dishes. You can see more of my favorite Emile Henry items here.
Thank you!
Love this!
Thank you!
So happy to read that your wonderful “Frenchify” series is back in play! I’ve missed it. And the Olympics in Paris are the perfect inspiration. Enjoy your lovely and delicious gathering!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy watching the Olympics in Paris these next couple of weeks. I have a few more Frenchify ideas up my sleeve so stay tuned!
This is such a great idea. I have been anxiously awaiting the Olympics. It will be so much fun to see all of our favorite sites Friday and throughout the Olympics.
Thank you! Yes, I am very much looking forward to watching tomorrow and throughout the Olympics.