The Role of the French Military in the American Revolution, 1777-1783
This conference examines the French military contribution to the American Revolution from 1777 to 1783, with particular attention to the Franco-American campaign and the decisive siege and victory at Yorktown. Major General (ret.) Vincent de Kytspotter will discuss how Yorktown produced consequences far beyond the battlefield, changing the balance of power in Europe and worldwide, while serving as a testing ground for military ideas, strategic principles, and new French weapons that later influenced the Napoleonic armies.
The presentation will also consider the broader significance of the Franco-American alliance and Yorktown as the final major military triumph of France’s Ancien Régime. The victory helped France recover prestige after its defeat by Britain in the Seven Years’ War and regain a central position among Europe’s great powers. The subject draws on de Kytspotter’s research and his book on the October 1781 victory at Yorktown, whose foreword was written by General David Petraeus.
When: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Showtimes: The conference runs from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
Speaker: Major General (ret.) Vincent de Kytspotter, an armored cavalry officer and Ph.D. in political science, will lead the presentation. During 37 years of service, he spent nine years in the United States as a deputy defense attaché and military adviser in Washington and New York. He is also a member of the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Connecticut.
Topics: The program covers the Franco-American military campaign, the tactical and strategic importance of Yorktown, the alliance between France and the United States, French weapons tested during the siege, and the military innovations that later supported Napoleon’s successes.
Tickets: Free. Advance reservation is required.
Admission requirements: Every attendee must have a reservation in their own name and a government-issued photo ID matching the name on the ticket. Guests must bring their Eventbrite ticket, either printed or displayed on a phone. Names on guest tickets can be updated through Eventbrite before the event.
Security: Attendees should allow extra time for screening. Umbrellas, large bags, backpacks, animals, liquids, food, blunt objects, helmets, and other items considered dangerous are prohibited and may be confiscated. No one will be admitted without both a reservation and matching official identification.
Parking: La Maison Française has no on-site parking. Metered parking is available on Reservoir Road for $2.30 per hour, with a four-hour maximum until 10:00 p.m. Garage parking is available at Georgetown MedStar Health through Entrance No. 2 at 2800 Reservoir Road NW, costing approximately $25 for up to three hours.
Photography: Registering for the event constitutes permission to be photographed or recorded and authorizes the organizers to use attendees’ images and likenesses for promotional and archival purposes.
Organizer: Embassy of France in the United States
Venue: La Maison Française, Embassy of France in the U.S., 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007