Since the early 16th century, French settlers have been setting down roots in North America, introducing their culture, language, cuisine, and traditions to the society around them.
Most of these cultural inroads came through the establishment of New France, a territory that stretched all the way from Québec to the Gulf of Mexico. Today, cities and states across North America betray their French heritage in their names. New Orleans, Saint Louis, Vermont, and Maine, among countless others, are all direct descendants of French words or a representation of a Native American name as filtered by early French settlers.
Of course, it’s not only the names of places that can remind us of the rich Franco-American heritage that surrounds us. Tens of millions of French and Franco-American people have populated North America for centuries! It’s no surprise that several of them created cultural legacies that last even into our contemporary age. Let's take a look at some past and present icons and celebrities with Franco-American roots who you might know!
Tens of millions of French and Franco-American people have populated North America for centuries! It’s no surprise that several of them created cultural legacies that last even into our contemporary age.
Early Franco-American Icons
Some of the United States' foremost historical figures are direct descendants of early French settlers. The Huguenots, for example, planted roots across the U.S. after fleeing religious and political persecution by the Catholic Church and French Crown. (Check out this 10-minute video for a great overview of the French Wars of Religion and the events that led to the Hugenots taking refuge in America.)
Famous revolutionary Paul Revere was the son of a French Huguenot, though Revere did have the letters from his family in France translated into English because he did not speak much French. We also have First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy who was born as Jacqueline Bouvier, a last name meaning ''herdsman.'' Her father, stockbroker John Vernou Bouvier III, and his family came to America from Provence in 1815 after the Napoleonic Wars. You might be familiar with the surname of another famous New Yorker: Augustus D. Juilliard, namesake of the iconic music school, was born at sea as his parents emigrated from France to the United States.
Do you know someone who drives a Chevrolet or a General Motors car? Whether or not they know it, they’re participating in Franco-American history! Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant (variant of Durand in French), who founded the Chevrolet Motor Car Company and General Motors around the turn of the 20th century, were respectively, a French immigrant and of French descent.
Contemporary Franco-American Icons
Jack Kerouac, author of classic American novels like On the Road, wore his Franco-American pride on his sleeve. In fact, his full name is Jean-Louis Lebris de Kérouac, and he was raised in a French-speaking home in Lowell, Massachusetts. Born to two French Canadian parents, his father Léon Kirouac (born in Saint-Hubert-de-Rivière-du-Loup) and his mother Gabrielle Ange Lévesque (born in St-Pacôme, Kamouraska), Kerouac didn’t start speaking English until he went to school at age six.
Joséphine Baker, the first Black woman to star in a major American movie and one of the most famous performers in the world, was well known for her links to Franco-American culture. Although she wasn't of French descent, her affiliation and contribution to French performing arts, culture, and even politics, has been nothing less than incredible. After aiding French Resistance during World War II, Baker was honored by General Charles de Gaulle himself! In November 2021, Joséphine Baker became the first Black women to be inducted into the national mausoleum of heroes at the French Pantheon.
There are countless other celebrity Franco-Americans. Madonna, widely recognized for her Italian heritage, is also descended from French Canadian ancestors. The same is true for Matt LeBlanc. Ever wonder why LeBlanc, best known for his role as Italian-American Joey Tribbiani in Friends, has a French-sounding last name? You can thank his French-Canadian dad. Even the Baldwins, famous for their Irish-American heritage (including Alec Baldwin’s daughter, fittingly named Ireland) have Franco-American roots that date all the way back to the Mayflower!
NBA hall-of-famer and proud Boston Celtic, Bob Cousy is the son of French immigrants. Much like Jack Kerouac, Cousy didn’t learn to speak English until he began attending school! (A beautiful example of the power of language immersion programs, if you ask us!) Jim Thorpe, the first Native American to win a gold medal for the United States at the Olympics, also had French ancestry—his mother, Charlotte Vieux, had a French father.
Franco-American Culture Today
Countless other contemporary stars have French heritage. You can probably tell by his name that actor Timothée Chalamet has French ancestry. He actually holds dual American and French citizenship and grew up speaking both French and English—making him one of the 23% of Americans who identify as bilingual.
Learning about Franco-American culture doesn’t only mean studying the past. French culture is all around us, everyday! That’s why learning French and studying French culture is so important. So, take a chance! Practice your French with new people. Try a beignet in New Orleans, a poutine in Québec, or a quiche Lorraine in New York City.
Help your students uncover the influence of France in North America on a French immersion tour through Québec City, stop by le Festival du Voyageur in Manitoba or to Carnaval de Québec, or plan the adventure of a lifetime in Paris. Our programs offer a safe and fun environment for students to practice their language skills and learn about francophone culture.
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