fête champêtre

French

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
  • fête galante