Escargot, oysters Rockefeller and beignets, oh my! Eat, drink and shop at the historic St. Joan of Arc French Market, benefitting the primary school. The celebration, in honor of St. Joan of Arc’s sainthood, features traditional French dishes and wine in the historic Meridian-Kessler Neighborhood.
How to Get There
The French Market is conveniently located steps from the IndyGo Red Line station at 42nd and College Avenue. Prefer getting a little exercise to get there? Ride your bike! The Monon Trail is just a few blocks away AND the event offers free, secure bike parking through Pedal & Park. Or, take an Uber or Lyft if you so please.
What it Costs
The French Market is free to attend, but you need tickets to purchase food and drink. Tickets are $1 each benefitting the St. Joan of Arc primary school. Most food items cost six to ten tickets. There are other opportunities to give-back and have a little fun like the raffle featuring Fever basketball tickets, cash prizes, a Big Green Egg, Butler basketball tickets, staycations and more.
Shop Till You Drop
Support local makers in the artisan market selling fine art, jewelry and everything in between or snag a souvenir from the St. Joan of Arc Boutique. You’ll find branded berets, gold shirts, wine tumblers, and even bucket hats. Hello 90s!
It’s All French to Me
During the French Market, guests can attend a traditional Catholic Mass at 5:30 PM spoken completely in French. Start practicing your French now! In addition to Mass, attendees may join a guided tour of St. Joan of Arc. The building was designed by MIT-trained Chicago architect Henry Schlacks and constructed in 1928 using Bedford, Indiana limestone. Learn more about the architecture here.
Dance the Night Away
The 33rd annual festival included a stellar lineup of bands, French and otherwise, including The Suzuki Violins, TransAtlantis, Roughhouse, Pavel and Direct Contact and Living Proof. The event might be crowded, but there is still plenty of room to get your groove on the dance floor.
Not-to-be-Missed Eats
The food does not leave one wanting. The lineup includes escargot en croute, mussels, croissants, oysters, pomme frites (French fries), gâteaux de crabe (crab cakes), stuffed mushrooms among other dishes and an array of desserts. Craving a warm beignet? They’ve got you covered!
If you want the full French culinary experience on a budget, try these three dishes:
- Oysters Rockefeller
- Quarter rotisserie chicken with bread & basil butter
- Beignets (French Donuts)