Washingtonians will have a rare chance to experience the French Embassy after dark when its grounds are transformed into an immersive music and arts festival on June 20.
The special event, called SON DE L’AMOUR, is this year’s signature embassy celebration for Fête de la Musique (World Music Day) and will take place during Pride Month.
For one evening, the Embassy’s Maison Française and surrounding grounds will become a vibrant destination filled with live music, DJs, films, conversations, food, art, and cultural experiences inspired by the spirit of a French celebration.
The event runs from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., giving guests four hours to explore multiple performance spaces inside one of Washington’s most unique venues.
Inside the French Embassy’s SON DE L’AMOUR celebration
This year’s Fête de la Musique event is being presented by the Embassy of France in Washington, Villa Albertine, Georgetown Heritage, and Capital Pride as a celebration of creativity, community, and inclusion during Pride Month.
Unlike a traditional concert, SON DE L’AMOUR is designed as a multi-experience cultural festival spread throughout the embassy grounds. Organizers say visitors will find:
- Live concerts across two stages
- DJ performances
- Film screenings
- Conversations and discussions
- Independent booksellers
- Record vendors
- LGBTQIA+ organizations
- Culinary experiences
- Artistic performances
A large outdoor stage at Place Charles de Gaulle will host many of the evening’s main performances, while the Embassy auditorium will feature screenings, discussions, and more intimate programming.
Throughout the night, musicians and performers will animate different areas of the Maison Française, creating an immersive atmosphere that feels closer to a French Riviera festival than a typical embassy reception.
The event is part of the worldwide Fête de la Musique tradition, which began in France in 1982 and is now celebrated in more than 120 countries around the globe.
How to attend the French Embassy’s World Music Day event
SON DE L’AMOUR will take place on Saturday, June 20, from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the Maison Française, Embassy of France, located at 4101 Reservoir Road NW in Washington, D.C.
Admission is $5 for adults, while children under 15 may attend free of charge.
Tickets must be reserved in advance, and every attendee must have a reservation in their own name.
Guests will also be required to present a government-issued photo ID that matches their registration to enter the embassy grounds.
Doors open at 7:30 pm, and the final entry time is 10:30 pm.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase throughout the evening.
Visitors should plan on arriving early, as all guests must pass through embassy security screening before entering the event.
For anyone looking for an unforgettable start to summer, SON DE L’AMOUR offers a chance to step behind the French Embassy gates and experience a one-night-only celebration of music, culture, and community unlike anything else happening in Washington this June.
