NEW YORK.- On October 13, 2007, more than 300 prominent Americans and international dignitaries will toast Franco-American friendship and the work contributed over 25 years by the American non-profit organization French Heritage Society. The event will take place at one of France�s greatest architectural treasures, Ch�teau de Vaux-le-Vicomte, and will conclude a program themed around Franco-American friendship: �The Enduring Vision of Four Great Men: Washington, Jefferson, Franklin and Lafayette.� French Heritage Society�s full itinerary, culminating in this gala, will underscore FHS�s advocacy role in both countries by tracing these leaders� lives as they linked French and American history.

The event will be held under the patronage of The Honorable Craig R. Stapleton, Ambassador of the United States of America to France and His Excellency the former Ambassador of the Republic of France to the United States Jean-David Levitte, and under the leadership of Honorary Co-Chairman The Honorable Anne Cox Chambers. Prominent attendees will include Honorary Guest Son Altesse Imp�riale la Princesse Napol�on; New York business leader and recently appointed FHS Chairman of the Board Elizabeth F. Stribling; and FHS President Princesse Marie-Sol de La Tour d'Auvergne of France. Carolyn Amory of Santa Barbara, CA and Karen K. Clark of Hobe Sound, FL will serve as additional Honorary Co-Chairmen.

Select VIPs from the United States will include Irene Roosevelt Aitken, previously married to the late John Roosevelt (son of Franklin and Eleanor), of New York and Newport, R.I.; Thomas and Laurel Barrack, Jr. of Santa Barbara, CA, owners of luxury hotels and properties across the globe; Jennifer and Royce Diener of Santa Monica, CA; Sondra Gilman, ranked one of the Top 25 Photography Collectors by ArtNews magazine, and her husband Celso Gonzalez-Falla of Corpus Christi, TX; Peter and Elbrun Kimmelman, of New York; John and Tara Milne of Westport, CT; Juan Pablo Molyneux, one of Architectural Digest�s �Top Designers,� working from both Paris and New York; Axel and Naneen Neubohn of London; Anthony and Cetie Ames of New York; and Phyllis Washington of Palm Desert, CA, owner of French antiques gallery / boutique Maison Felice and Chair of The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, as well as many additional guests.

The event�s notable French attendees will include heads of FHS�s partner associations in France: Jean de Lambertye, Pr�sident de la Demeure Historique; Philippe Toussaint, Pr�sident des Vieilles Maisons Fran�aises; and Didier Wirth, Pr�sident du Comit� des Parcs et Jardins de France. Additional attendees include SAS le Prince Michel de Bourbon-Parme and SAR la Princesse Michel de Bourbon-Parme; LL.AA.SS le Prince & la Princesse Robin zu Sayn-Wittgenstein; Jean-Louis Vilgrain, Chairman and President of the JLV Group and Officier de la L�gion d�honneur; Comte Denis de Kergolay; Comte & Comtesse Sixte de La Rochefoucauld; Baron & Baronne Regis de Laroulli�re; Mrs. Stanfield-Pinel, Event Chairman; and Comte & Comtesse Flauhaut de la Billarderie.

Comte Jean-Charles de Vogu� will escort President program participants in a private tour of Ch�teau de Vaux-le-Vicomte at 7:30 p.m. Guests will be received by the Comte and Comtesse Patrice de Vog��, owners of the ch�teau at an 8 p.m. cocktail reception, to be followed at 9 p.m. by a gourmet dinner prepared by Guy Martin, three-star Executive Chef of �Le Grand V�four� in Paris. Featured performers will provide entertainment throughout the dinner and Ball, after which guests will be invited to enjoy spectacular fireworks in the Ch�teau�s lavish gardens, designed by Andr� Le N�tre, 17th Century designer of the park at Versailles.

Founded in 1982, French Heritage Society a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) that encompasses 14 American Chapters, and one in Paris, with close to several thousand members. Its achievements have made significant impact in both in France and in America, reinforcing the leading role that the organization plays in caring for the architectural heritage that is the common property and shared responsibility of both countries.

FHS has awarded over 450 restoration grants and provided more than 10 million dollars, including matching funds, to projects throughout France, and to many important monuments with French heritage in the United States. The organization is currently planning a dinner this November in support of a grant for the Consulate General of France, held in its headquarters at 934 Fifth Avenue. Complementing its work in the field of preservation, FHS upholds a strong commitment to education, and has sponsored 250 project grants to students, architects, artisans and museum curators, as well as organizing cultural trips that foster appreciation of the richness of French heritage. Exclusive access to historic sites visited on FHS trips exists as an emblem of French appreciation for American contributions to restoration projects in France. On a local Chapter level, FHS offers events throughout the year based on themes of French culture.