fête champêtre

French

18th century courtiers in fancy dress, at a fête champêtre.

Etymology

Literally, “pastoral festival”, “country feast.”

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /fɛt ʃɑ̃.pɛtʁ/

Noun

fête champêtre f (plural fêtes champêtres)

1. a garden party (pastoral festival) that was a popular form of entertainment in the 18th century, particularly popular at the French court, at Versailles. In theory it is a simple pastoral festival but in practice it was often contrived and elaborate with orchestras and fancy dress

Related terms

• fête galante