DNR
Home PageFRENCH VEILLÉE IS JUNE 14 AT
FELIX VALLÉ HOUSE STATE HISTORIC SITE
JEFFERSON CITY, MO., MAY 30, 2008 -- Felix Vallé House State Historic Site will host a traditional French veillée from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 14 in Ste. Genevieve. Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Les Amis, the veillée will feature candlelit tours of the Felix Vallé home and entertainment for all ages. It is free and open to the public.
This old-style French social gathering has become a summer tradition at the historic home, which is located on the corner of Merchant and Second streets. Visitors to the site that evening will see French folk dances performed by site staff and community volunteers in period costume. Typical dances, like the Gavotte, will be recreated on the lawn in the garden. Guests will be invited to learn some of the dances. In addition to the local French folk dancers, the event will feature special entertainment by "Dance Discovery." This historic dance troupe has added festivity, color and music to historic events throughout the St. Louis region. Their dances and costumes reflect the Lewis-and-Clark era (1804 to 1806).
Also at the veillée, children as well as adults can hear a French folktale in the garden, including the adventures of "Little John and his Animals" and "Fair Margaret," authentic tales from Old Mines, another early French community. Madeleines, an old-style French cookie, other treats and lemonade will be served on the back porch of the home.
The veillée is being held in conjunction with Ste. Genevieve's French Heritage Day event. Les Amis, the historic site's support group, is also sponsoring two musical groups in the town's historic district. "Poor People of Paris" will perform French cabaret music and "Dennis Stroughmatt & L'Esprit" will perform rousing Creole/Cajun music at the event's old fashioned street dance.
For more information, call the historic site at 573-883-7102 or the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit the Web at www.mostateparks.com.
