The Rebirth of Notre Dame
Saturday, October 3rd
11:00 AM-12:30 PM
sponsored by Alliance Française of Northwestern CT
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Michel Picaud, founding president of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris, will share his unique insights on the historic restoration of Paris's iconic cathedral. Drawing on his experience leading international fundraising since 2016, Michel will trace Notre-Dame’s history from its 1163 origins through its centuries of decay and the devastating 2019 fire, which he witnessed firsthand. He will detail the monumental reconstruction efforts that led to the cathedral's celebrated reopening in December 2024, while highlighting the critical work still required to achieve a full restoration by the end of the decade.
This event is free to attend and open to anyone regardless of town of residency. Registration is required (see link below). This program is sponsored by Alliance Française of Northwestern CT. For more information about this program, please email Rebecca at rrandall@biblio.org or call the reference desk at 203-262-0626 ext 2.
Place: Southbury Library, 100 Poverty Road, Southbury, CT
Click HERE to register.
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Join our Meetup conversation group every other Sunday morning from 10:30 to noon for fun and French discussion. To register for this event, send an email to: alliancefrancaisenh@gmail.com. Beginning in MAY we will meet at BOOK TRADER CAFE (1140 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT 06511). Oct. 4, 18, Nov. 1, 15, 29, 2026.
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From Loving France to Living in France
Saturday, October 10, 2026 at noon on ZOOM
Speaker: Cécile Gallet, Founder & CEO, Haven in France
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Considering an extended stay, retirement, property purchase or relocation to France? Join Cécile Gallet, Founder & CEO of Haven in France, for a practical introduction to the decisions that shape a successful France project - including location, housing, residency, healthcare, administration and when specialist advice is needed. The focus is on sequence: what should be explored first, what can wait, and what should be understood before major commitments are made. This live 60-minute educational session includes approximately 45 minutes of guidance followed by 15 minutes of member Q&A.
WHAT PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN
01 Choosing the right place in France: How region, access, community and daily rhythm should shape the decision.
02 Residency, tax and sequencing: Which questions need early clarification and when specialists should become involved.
photo by Marie Minair
03 Renting, buying and the notaire: When it may make sense to test, rent or buy, and the broad role of the notaire.
04 Administration and everyday systems: How healthcare, banking, insurance, certified translations and utilities fit together.
05 Building the right professional team: Where specialist roles begin and end, and why coordination matters.
06 From arrival to belonging: Why language, local relationships and community matter over the long term.
To register, click HERE
For more information on Haven in France, click HERE
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Café Littéraire sur Zoom
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 @ 6:30 PM
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Voici un club pour les membres qui voudraient lire et discuter d'un livre en français (reservé aux gens qui ont un niveau avancé). Nous nous rencontrons par Zoom à 18h30 chaque mois. On discute des thèmes et des idées dans les romans avec le groupe. Si vous voulez les liens ou si vous avez des questions, envoyez un email. En octobre on lit "Les bonnes" par Jean Genet . Il s'agit de deux soeurs domestiques qui pratiquent des jeux de rôle secrets où l'une incarne la maîtresse avec haine et soumission. Elles tentent en vain de l'empoisonner, avant que Claire ne boisse finalement la tisane empoisonnée lors d'un ultime rituel. For further information and to receive the Zoom link, send an email to alliancefrancaisenh@gmail.com .
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Ciné Club sur Zoom
Thursday, October 15, 2025 @ 6 PM
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Fan of French movies? If so, this club is for you. Join the Alliance Française for a discussion of a French movie on Zoom. If you have a favorite movie or any suggestions for future viewings, send us an email. Clay Howe will lead the conversation. Upcoming films to be announced. We meet on the third Thursday of the month. The film for October is "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" (A journalist paralyzed by a stroke finds an unexpected way to communicate. It is available on Amazon,to rent and free on Kanopy, Hoopla and Pluto. For further information and to receive the Zoom link, send an email to alliancefrancaisenh@gmail.com .
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Social Hour at Atelier Florian
Thursday, October 22, 2026 @ 4:30 PM
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French flower arranging with Ludivine Poulet
Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 5PM
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French flower arranging with Ludivine Poulet
What: small pumpkin carving + flower arranging
Where: Bethesda Lutheran
When: Sunday October 25 from 5-7 PM
Cost: $45 for members $50 for non-members
Space is limited to 10 . Reserve early. Email alliancefrancaisenh@gmail.com to reserve your spot.
| | Our Partnership with Frantastique | | |
Try Fantastique for a whole month for free! The interactive, daily lessons only last 10 minutes and allow you to immerse yourself playfully and tailored to you in the French language.
After an assessment test, the lessons adapt to your level and interests, for optimal learning progress.
Discover Aimigo at the end of your lessons, your new AI-powered virtual friend with whom you can practice speaking. Aimigo helps you feel more confident when speaking and can discuss a variety of topics with you!
Click HERE TO TEST FOR FREE.
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Save the dates, More info to follow:
November 14, 2026 Met Museum Visit NYC
November 22, 2026 Beaujolais Nouveau 5-7 PM Bethesda Lutheran
December 6, 2026 Fêtes de Fin d'année 5-7 Bethesda Lutheran
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Dear Colleagues,
Memberships are from Sept.-August. If you have not already renewed your membership,
renew now.
Your benefits include:
-Participation in the events of the Alliance Française (See programs on our website https://www.alliancefrancaisenewhaven.org/
-Close communication with the Alliance (emails, newsletter, Bulletin)
-Exclusive and free participation in Le Café Littéraire
-Access to the French classes at the Alliance Française of New Haven
-Participation in Le Ciné-Club
-Access to Culturethèque Your French multimedia e-library!
-Links to other Francophones and Francophiles .
Cost: Student: $30, Senior: $35, Individual: $45, Couple: $55, Family: $60
You may pay online at https://www.alliancefrancaisenewhaven.org/online-payment or you may pay with a check. If full membership is difficult for some due to financial constraints, please let us know. Send us an email at alliancefrancaisenh@gmail.com Please make checks payable to the Alliance Française of New Haven. Send payment to Alliance Française of New Haven, P.O. Box 207333, New Haven, CT 06520.
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Co-sponsored by the Federation of Alliances Françaises USA
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L'Histoire de Deux Révolutions: origines entremêlées et conséquences inattendues
Oct 8 2026 at 4 PM
En français (with English subtitles)
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AF USA vous propose une conférence sur un thème d’actualité : les origines communes et étrangement entremêlées de deux révolutions – l’américaine et bien sûr la française – et surtout leurs conséquences, qui, dans le cas de la Révolution française, se sont révélées désastreusement imprévues. Ce thème a fait l’objet d’une étude publiée récemment par l’Alliance Française de Greenwich (Connecticut) pour marquer le 250ᵉ anniversaire de la Déclaration d’indépendance américaine et mettre en relief le fait incontestable que, sans le soutien de la France, les indépendantistes n’auraient pas eu gain de cause. Le conférencier, Robert Henrey, est membre de l’AF de Greenwich et l’auteur principal de l’étude. Celle-ci, intitulée Two Revolutions: Their Entangled Origins and Unintended Consequences, est disponible sur le site d’Amazon et tous les bénéfices éventuels seront reversés à l’Alliance Française.
Click HERE to register.
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Bordeaux, Then and Now: What 50 Years Reveal About Change in a Classic Region
Oct 29 2026 at 4 PM
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The Federation of Alliances Françaises USA invites you to a special virtual presentation exploring the evolution of one of France’s most iconic wine regions. Join Bordeaux-based wine authority Jane Anson and acclaimed photographer Peter Aaron for a rich conversation inspired by their new book, Bordeaux Chronicle.
In this engaging discussion, Aaron and Anson will reflect on Bordeaux across more than five decades—pairing Aaron’s photographs from 1969 with his return to the same estates in 2024. Together, they reveal a region transformed by time, global influence, and innovation, while still deeply rooted in tradition and terroir.
This program will explore the visual and cultural transformation of Bordeaux over 50 years.
Signed books can be purchased through Kitchen Arts & Letters in NYC on-line or anywhere fine books are sold, the event offers attendees the opportunity to engage directly with the authors and gain a deeper understanding of Bordeaux beyond the glass.
Click HERE to register.
| | INFORMATION FOR SHARING AND FUN | | |
La Renaissance Française USA honored Linda Witt, past Federation of AF USA president, in a ceremony last month. Click here to read more.
The Le Robert 2026 editions have hit the shelves. This year's 150 linguistic additions showcase a blend of global pop culture and AI technology, cementing words like balado (podcast), hypertrucage (deepfake), and the Anglicism chill (to stay calm) into the official French lexicon. Check out the top entries on the Le Robert Feature Page.
The OIF has launched its 2026 call for projects under the "Cultural Industries and Discoverability" initiative to boost the visibility, distribution, and digital promotion of French-language content worldwide.
For history buffs: this Frommer's article lists places in Paris where you can still see evidence of the Nazi Occupation.
This poster outlines the unwritten rules of French etiquette.
| | Members and attendees at events/cultural programs should be aware that their picture might be taken and used for our website, advertising, etc. If you’d prefer not to be photographed, just wave the photographer away. | | | | |
