fête champêtre
18th century courtiers in fancy dress, at a fête champêtre.
French
Etymology
The term is derived for the French expression of pastoral festival or country feast.
Noun
fête champêtre f (plural fêtes champêtres)
- 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.
Related terms
- fête galante