Bienvenue and welcome to
Rendez-vous Détroit
Celebrating Détroit's French History!
LaSalle Stained Glass Window, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Belle Isle, MI
Bienvenue and welcome to Rendez-vous Détroit! We’re so excited that you are visiting our website and hope you’ll become a regular! We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of celebrating our French heritage, the unique and special French history of Détroit and increasing the public’s awareness and knowledge of the contributions made by the French during the early settlement of the Great Lakes Region.
NEWS
Rendez-vous Détroit featured in The Grosse Pointe News!
Click on picture above to view larger copy.
UPCOMING EVENTS
TICKETS ON SALE UNTIL JULY 22nd!!!
Bonne Fête 325 Détroit tickets can be ordered online or mail completed registration form with check to:
Rendez-vous Détroit
P.O. Box 4158
Centerline, MI 48015
Rendez-vous Détroit has reserved a block of rooms at the Fort Pontchartrain Hotel for the convenience of guests. Staying at the hotel is not required to attend Bonne Fête Détroit 325. Please see Event Info Packet for hotel information.
BIENVENUE!
WELCOME TO BONNE FÊTE DÉTROIT 325
Salut Friends, Family and Cousins!
We are so happy and pleased you will be joining us to celebrate Détroit’s 325th birthday! Thank you for your interest and for making the effort to attend Rendez-vous Détroit’s festivities. We sincerely hope you have a wonderful time, learn some new things about Detroit’s French history and heritage and have the opportunity to socialize with a great group of people.
Below is some information that you will hopefully find helpful during your weekend at the Fort Pontchartrain Hotel.
Friday, July 24, 2026
We will be going over to Hart Plaza to the Founders’ Ceremony at 3:20 p.m. The ceremony starts at 4:00 p.m. Because it is a short ceremony, only chairs for the speakers will be provided. It’s about a two-block walk to the plaza. If you prefer to drive, there is a parking structure across the street from Hart Plaza.
When you arrive at the hotel you will see Rendez-vous Détroit will have a table set up in the lobby where you will need to check in for the Bonne Fête Détroit 325 festivities. You will receive your drink tickets there. A cash bar is available after your complimentary drink tickets are used. Event programs will be available at this program with the full weekend itinerary.
After the ceremony, there will be a cocktail party for guests who have registered for the full Bonne Fête Détroit 325 weekend and the dignitaries.
Dinner is at 6:30 p.m,. in Ballroom B.
July 25, 2026
8:00 a.m. A continental breakfast will be served in Ballroom B for guests registered for the full weekend and all-day Saturday options. Presentations start at 9:00 a.m, in the same room.
For the afternoon Détroit French History Cruise after lunch, the dock is just beyond the Renaissance Center. There is parking near the dock. You may find it easy to carpool. If you have paid for parking at the hotel, you are allowed to leave and come back without having to pay again.
Bonne Fête Détroit 325 Merchandise: Oui! We have commemorative t-shirts and Rendez-vous Détroit tote bags. Cash only. Merchandise will be sold outside of Ballroom B.
Bonne Fête Détroit 325 Raffle: The Catholic Initiative and Alliance Catholic Credit Union have sponsored our raffle with all proceeds going to our French ancestral church, the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Détroit. First prize is a two-night getaway at the Inn at Stonecliffe on Mackinac Island; second prize $500 and third prize, a Detroit-themed gift basket. Tickets are just $10 and will be available for sale during the Bonne Fête Détroit 325 festivities. The raffle drawing will be held on Saturday night at 8:00 p.m.
If you have any emergencies during Bonne Fête Détroit 325, please call Elizabeth Bourne-Nido at 248-416-2665 or John Cooper at 248-928-6260. Questions? Email rendezvousdetroit@gmail.com
RENDEZ-VOUS DÉTROIT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Bonjour les amis,
Rendez-vous Détroit is planning a wonderful celebration to mark Détroit’s 325th birthday, July 24 – 25, 2026.
To commemorate the founding of Détroit on July 24, 1701 by Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, Rendez-vous Détroit will be hosting a weekend of festivities at the historic Fort Pontchartrain. Hotel, located on the very site of Cadillac’s original fort. Festivities include:
• Friday afternoon gathering at the Cadillac Convoy Plaque at Hart Plaza to pay tribute to Cadillac and the members of the founding 1701 convoy.
• Friday evening meet and greet cocktail party at Fort Pontchartrain Hotel.
• Friday night French Canadian dinner with after-dinner speaker Catherine Cangany, Ph.D., “Early French History of Détroit,” and dance. Music by Dennis Stroughmatt and L’Esprit Creole, Deborah Hyland, Dance Caller.
• Saturday morning conference: Jim Verney, “Jean Baptiste Vernier” (1762 – 1834) and Claire-Marie Brisson, Ph.D., “Michiganaise: Tracing Francophone Identity in the Great Lakes.”
• Saturday afternoon: Détroit French History Cruise or tour of the Detroit Historical Museum.
• Saturday evening: Traditional French Canadian music by La Compagnie Dance Troupe.
Rendez-vous Détroit is seeking sponsors to partner and party with us! We offer a variety of sponsorship opportunities which will ensure your name or company’s name is part of the lasting legacy of Détroit’s 325th celebration.
Please join with us as we remember and celebrate Détroit’s French history and heritage.
Bonne Fête Détroit!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
Mr. John Moran
Mr. Ken Roberts
Mr. James LaForest
Mr. David Martin, in memory of Bernadette Martin Salinger
Dar and Stephen Darley, in memory of Russell Navarre, Sr.
The Détroit French History Cruise is back!
Please click "Buy Tickets" below to reserve your spot on the cruise.
