French Embassy Carnival - A Night on the Riviera with French Food and Wine
Join us on your own or with friends for an unforgettable night on the Riviera. Celebrate Mardi Gras and the Carnival of Nice. Attend on your own or with friends to meet and socialize with ICDC members and guests of partner organizations as you indulge in a French Celebration!

Event Date

Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 7:00 PM

Event Address

Embassy of France
 4101 Reservoir Road NW
Washington DC 20007

Requested Attire

Cocktail attire suggested. All attendees must be strictly 21 and over with the French Embassy checking and validating IDs of guests.

Event Description

We cordially invite you to the French Riviera, one of the most exciting places on earth, to celebrate Mardi Gras and the Carnival of Nice on French soil as we welcome you to a special evening at the Embassy of France!

From the elegance of classical French culture to the most celebrated Rivera nightlife of the 21st Century, experience a special evening of fantastic French food, wine, music, and ambiance.

Enjoy the flavors of Nice, Monaco, and St. Tropez in the beautiful and festive Maison Francaise at the French embassy.

Take the opportunity to network with fellow Francophiles, French VIPs, diplomats, professionals and business people in the wonderful Maison Francaise at the French Embassy.

On the Menu: Delicious French food
Hors-d'oeuvres prepared by Chef Daniel Labonne, Executive Chef of the French and German Embassies
Ham by Jambon de Bayonne

Live Music All Night!
Kameleon Beats, a power duo led by Didier Prossaird on keyboards, will be playing cool French songs
Jazz band Crush Funk Brass will then showcase their talent with New Orleans jazz.
Finally, DJ Slaya will be spinning French and American dance music: get your dancing shoes!

Open Bar All Night
Wine tasting
Champagne and bubblies from France
Pastis: French Riviera's favorite apéritif
Excellent red, white and rosé wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Loire Valley, Alsace. Rhone, Provence, etc.
European Beers

Entertainment All Night
Be a part of the Carnival of Nice, one of the world's largest carnivals.
Mardi Gras Style beads will be offered to all guests upon arrival.
Carnival Fashion Competition (Optional): dress in your original chic and creative carnival outfits!
One King and one Queen winner will be selected as the Carnival by virtue of their outfits and receive special prizes.
Monte Carlo Casino mock-up: In the Spirit of Monaco, spin the wheel and try your luck at roulette. (Mock gambling).
Raffle: Win restaurant gift certificates, wines, sports tickets, etc.
French photo backgrounds for great-looking selfies

5 Types of Tickets
Cannes VIP Reception: Walk the red carpet at 7pm, and stay until the end of the event. Enjoy a glass of Champagne when you arrive, special hors-d'oeuvres prepared by the French Embassy's Executive Chef Daniel Labonne, high-end wines from France, and live French songs and music. No guaranted seating.

St Tropez Tickets: Enter at 8pm. Open bar, food, music and entertainment. No guaranteed seating.

Monte Carlo Table Service for Singles: From 7:00pm to 11:00pm (includes VIP Reception). You will seat at a reserved table in a ropped-off prime area, with up to 3 others guests. Unlimited Champagne, wine and personal service during the entire event. Very limited number of tables. Please reserve early. An opportunity to make new friends and maybe plan a trip together on the French Riviera?

Monte Carlo Table Service for Couples: From 7:00pm to 11:00pm (includes VIP Reception). You will seat at a reserved table for just you two, in a roped-off prime area, with unlimited Champagne, wine and personal service during the entire event. Very limited number of tables so reserve early.

Monte Carlo Table Service for up to 4. From 7:00pm to 11:00pm (includes VIP Reception). You will seat at a reserved table for you and up to 3 of your friends, in a roped-off prime area, with unlimited Champagne, wine and personal service during the entire event. Very limited number of tables so reserve early.

Please note that in order to ensure the safety of the event for all, the program has been especially tailored to ensure everyone not only has an enjoyable time during the evening, so the number of tickets sold is limited. Tickets will go fast so register early.

Optional Take Home Wine Packages:

Packages will be available for pickup when you leave the event.

France je t'aime Package:

1 bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau

1 bottle of Chateau Bordeaux La Grande Metairie (Bordeaux - Red Wine)

1 bottle of Saumur Grande Reserve (Chenin Blanc - Dry White Wine)

An assortment of French products from France: Confiture Bonne Maman, Cookies Lu, La Mere Poulard, etc*

France je t'adore Package:

Everything in France je t'aime package plus:

1 bottle of real Champagne from Champagne (Champagne Pierre Mignon, the preferred Champagne of the French Foreign Ministry)

France nous t'adorons - Package For 2

Everything in France je t'adore package, except double! Share the Love of France!

* we reserve the right to substitute based on availability

Additional Info:

For security reasons, all persons attending the event must be registered via this site.

For security reasons, there will be no parking inside the Embassy. Public parking is available on Reservoir Rd. However, we strongly advise you to use a car-sharing service.

This is an adult-only event. No one under 21 allowed.

Dress Code options: Cocktail attire or Carnival costume.

No refunds.

The event is organized by the French American Chamber of Commerce as a festival of French wine and hors-d'oeuvres. As such there are many facets to the evening and the evening is planned so that you can mingle and walk inside the embassy to discover and celebrate French culture and cuisine. Kindly note that the event is not organized as a seated function or dinner event but rather as a cocktail reception with light fare.

Additional Information:

Due to security considerations at the embassy, we are unable to accept walk-ins. You must reserve a ticket in advance to attend this event. Absolutely no door sales. All guests must be strictly 21 and over.

All persons attending the event must be registered via this site. If you purchase multiple tickets, please provide us the name of EACH guest. For table of 2 or 4, register a single person and we will be reaching out prior to the event for the names of your guests.

Due to security reasons, there will be no parking inside the Embassy. Public parking is available on Reservoir Rd and across the street at Georgetown University Hospital's parking garage. Please verify parking times and rates at the time you park.

 

           TICKETS           
All online ticket sales are final. We are unable to issue refunds for tickets purchased due to expenses incurred to present the event.

Event Agenda (May change)

Due to security considerations at the embassy, we are unable to accept walk-ins. You must reserve a ticket in advance to attend this event. Absolutely no door sales. All guests must be strictly 21 and over.

If you purchase multiple tickets, French Embassy Security, requires the full name of each guest attending the event that matches the name on the government issued ID. We are unable to issue refund if any guests are denied admission if their correct name wasn't provided to us at least 48 hours prior to the event.

Admission commences at 6:00 PM and the event concludes at 9:00 PM.

Please make a note of the time of admission for the type of ticket you purchase. 

We Are Grateful for Your Support

We greatly appreciate your contribution towards the International Club of DC Inc by making your reservation. Your support makes it possible for us to present diverse cultural events to our members. Kindly note that your contribution is unrelated to the embassy or venue the event is being presented at and all proceeds from the event are used solely by International Club of DC Inc. to cover expenses related to presenting cultural events to our members.

Map/Parking

If driving, street parking will be available on Reservoir Road and throughout the surrounding neighborhoods. Also, there is a pay lot located across the street at Georgetown University Hospital. Due to security considerations, parking WILL NOT be available on the grounds of the Embassy of France.

If using public transportation, the D6 Metro Bus towards Sibley Hospital drops off directly in front of the embassy. Due to limited parking, we recommend Uber, public transportation or a cab.


Please note that the map is enclosed below as a courtesy to you and for your convenience but we do not guarantee the accuracy of the map or the directions provided by Google. It is your responsibly to arrive safely and on time at the address of the event disclosed above.

Parking is limited to street parking in the vicinity of the venue. Kindly note that, as is the case in most major cities, the availability of street parking in Washington DC is limited and beyond our control. Due to the limited availability of parking, we highly recommend a cab, Uber/Lyft or other transportation option. The event start at the designated time so please allow sufficient time for traffic/travel/transportation and parking as these factors are beyond our control.

Event Notes

All ticket sales are final. We are unable to issue refunds for tickets purchased due to expenses incurred to present the event.

Kindly note by purchasing a ticket, you accept responsibility to arrive for the event on time. Due to expenses incurred, we are unable to offer refunds if you are unable to attend the event for any reason. Purchase of tickets for the event constitutes your acceptance of our no-refund policy. Event details, including menus and musical programs, are subject to change as we continue to refine the event. Tickets will be released to the person who purchased the tickets upon presenting photo ID. If you purchased more than one ticket, please arrive for admission with your guest(s).

All online ticket sales are final. No cancellations or refunds on tickets for any reason.

By participating in the event, you accept responsibility to arrive for the event on time. Due to expenses incurred, we are unable to offer refunds if you are unable to attend the event for any reason. Purchase of tickets for the event constitutes your acceptance of our no-refund policy. Event details are subject to change as we continue to refine the event.

Tickets will be released to the person who purchased the tickets upon presenting photo ID. If you purchased more than one ticket, please arrive for admission with your guest(s).

By participating in the event, you agree to follow the DC COVID guidelines in effect at the time of the event: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/

By purchasing a ticket, you accept the risk of being exposed to, contracting, and/or spreading COVID-19 or any other pathogen along with all consequences resulting from exposure or infection, including but not limited to physical injury, illness, temporary or permanent disability, death, and economic or financial loss. By participating in the event, you agree that while we have communicated health and safety measures along with DC COVID guidelines, we do not have police or law enforcement powers to enforce health and safety measures or mandates. Therefore, you agree to hold International Club of DC, Inc. and its officers, employees, members, staff, partners, contractors, and volunteers harmless for any noncompliance of the health and safety mandates by another attendee, event participant, or third party.

By participating in the event, you agree to release, to the fullest extent permitted by law, for yourself, all of your family members and your heirs, International Club of DC, Inc. and its officers, employees, members, staff, partners, contractors, and volunteers from any and all liability for personal injury, including death, and property damage that arise out of the activity.

By participating in the event, you agree, to the fullest extent permitted by law, for yourself, all of your family members and your heirs, not to make negligence claims against International Club of DC, Inc. and its officers, employees, members, staff, partners, contractors, and volunteers for losses, debts, demands and/or damages for personal injuries or wrongful death suffered as a result of participation in the activity.

You understand and agree that by taking part in this ticketed activity will have the effect of releasing, discharging, waiving, and forever relinquishing any and all actions or causes of action that you may have or have had, whether past, present, or future, whether known or unknown, and whether anticipated or unanticipated by you, arising out of your participation. This release constitutes a complete release, discharge, and waiver of any and all actions or causes of action against International Club of DC, Inc. and its officers, employees, members, staff, partners, contractors, and volunteers.

You understand and agree that by participating in this ticketed activity, you are to release, indemnify and hold International Club of DC, Inc. and its officers, employees, members, staff, partners, contractors, and volunteers harmless from any and all liability or costs, including attorney fees, associated with or arising from your participation in activities.

You also agree to convey these terms to your guests and ensure their acceptance and agreement of these terms prior to attending the event.