- Save the Date: Bastille Day 2025
- Bistro or Bistrot? That is the Question
- Sparkling Wine Tasting in a Local Bistro
- The Alliance Française’s 120th Anniversary
- Don’t miss it!
- Meet our sponsor: PastryStar
- Expression Française: ‘Epater la Galerie’
SAVE THE DATE
Our Bastille Day event is held annually at La Maison Française of the French Embassy—a tradition filled with French flair and festive spirit!
Mark your calendar for July 11th and get ready for this much-anticipated summer event.
Bistro or Bistrot – That is the Question
Where exactly the word that’s become the heart and soul of French cafés comes from is still up for debate.
Most people go with the popular Russian origin story. It goes back to 1814, during the Russian occupation of Paris after Napoleon’s failed campaign in Russia. The story goes that those Russian soldiers, wanting to be served quickly, would shout "bystro!" (быстро), meaning "quick!" at French waiters. Eventually, Parisians fondly started calling their cafés "bistros".
But if you spell it with a t — bistrot — which is actually more traditionally French, you’re leaning towards a more scholarly explanation. This version traces the word back to bistraud or bistrot, an old term from the Poitiers region. (That’s part of the langue d’oïl territory, for those who remember our January newsletter.) Originally, it referred to a wine merchant’s apprentice. Later, it was used for the wine merchant himself, then his wife (bistrote), and eventually for the small, no-frills spot where the wine was served.
Whatever the spelling, it’s the kind of place where the coffee is strong, the wine is smooth, and time slows down.
April in Reims Sparkling Wine Tasting
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Green Pig Bistro
No need to hop a flight to Paris to enjoy an authentic bistro soirée!
Join the Arlington-Reims Sister City Association for "une soirée pétillante" featuring sparkling wine tastings, lively insights from wine experts, and the chance to win great raffle prizes —all in celebration of 30 years of ASCA and the 20th anniversary of the Arlington-Reims partnership.
Click here to purchase your tickets today
Celebrate the 120th anniversary of the Alliance Française at the magnificent Residence of France
Tuesday, May 13 · 6:30 - 9:30pm
2221 Kalorama Road Northwest Washington, DC 20008
For 120 years the Alliance Française of Washington DC has been the French Heartbeat of the Nation’s Capital.
Come celebrate this big milestone at the magnificent Residence of the French Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Laurent Bili, in Kalorama.
You will be able to mingle with an array of personalities of the DC scene of the arts and culture, of the diplomatic world, AFDC faculty and staff, AFDC members and students, and the directors of the Board.
Dress code: festive cocktail attire and, of course, period costume from 1905 to 2025 is encouraged!
Music will be provided by Ken Matthews.
A surprise dessert will be provided by sponsor Patisserie Poupon.
The Alliance Française of Washington, D.C. (AFDC) was founded in 1905. Interrupted by World War 2, it reopened in 1949 originally as a social club and became an officially incorporated organization in 1965. AFDC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-governmental organization, since 1955. It is not subsidized by any government. It is an educational and cultural institution headed by a Franco-American Board of Directors.
Click here to be part of the evening
Don’t Miss It!
A Truly Unique Experience! Lafayette Bicentennial Tour by Orchestre National Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025
At La Maison Française
Monday, April 21st
At the Kennedy Center
A truly immersive 1h30 show combining music, light and images was an obvious choice for this extraordinary project, which aims to pay tribute to Lafayette and his courage. This is an experience that you won’t forget!
Click here to register.
A real life Lafayette performer, dressed as the Marquis, will narrate Lafayette’s story in the first person to share with the audience his lifestory – from his beginnings in France, to his fight for American Independence and finally his triumphant return to the US in 1824-1825 at an official invitation of thanks from the Nation.
A new-tech generated recreated video projection of certain key moments of Lafayette’s life and journey using images & archives from different Lafayette dedicated organisations in France and the US will immerse the audience in a new generation experience.
Recitals by the French-American Piano Society
The French-American Piano Society and La Maison Française in Washington D.C. have an ongoing musical program, made possible by the acquisition of two pianos: a concert Steinway Piano and a Pleyel grand piano. The LVMH Piano of La Maison Française is made available to world-renowned artists for recitals. Don’t miss these unique opportunities to listen to incredible artists and stay on the alert by checking our agenda regularly.
Pastry & Bakery
Ingredient Manufacturer since 1986
PastryStar, a family-owned business with a rich heritage rooted in French pastry traditions, is dedicated to bringing the same level of quality and excellence to bakers and pastry chefs around the world.
Based in Laurel, MD, the company is committed to producing the highest quality, clean-label pastry and bakery ingredients to bakers and pastry chefs alike. Products are made with the freshest, most natural products available and are always free from artificial additives and preservatives.
Product range includes fruit fillings and jams, flavor pastes, glazes, ganaches, and fondants, as well as pastry mixes and bases, essential pastry ingredients and additives, and savory products.
Whether you are looking to create classic French pastries, modern desserts, or something completely unique, PastryStar is here to take your creations to the next level.
To get to know all their products go to their website at: https://www.pastrystar.com/
Les Expressions Françaises
"Epater la galerie"
Showing off
It is high time we introduced this French expression—after all, it’s the very reason we include this feature in each of our newsletters. We share them so you can épater la galerie with your intimate knowledge of the language.
The expression épater la galerie traces back to the historic Jeu de Paume, a predecessor of tennis that dates to the 13th century in France. Originally played with bare hands, by the 17th and 18th centuries it became a fashionable court game where a long gallery was set up so the spectators could safely watch the game. It gave players every incentive to show off.
The verb épater has roots in the French word patte (paw), and was once linked to an old slang expression meaning “to fall flat on your paws.” So when you épate la galerie, your showmanship is so bold that it leaves everyone figuratively floored.
So the next time you find yourself enjoying a café crème or a glass of wine at your favorite French bistro, bring along a few of these expressions. A well-placed épater la galerie might add just the right touch of flair to your conversation.
Partner with us to reach an engaged audience and make an impact
- We pride ourselves on being a vibrant, community-driven non-profit dedicated to promoting french culture and supporting local communities.
- With 25 member organizations across the DMV area, we offer diverse opportunities to showcase your brand through our online platforms, social media, newsletters, and community events like Bastille Day, le Déjeuner sur l’Herbe, and the Victor Obadia Humanitarian Trophy ceremony .Our social responsibility initiatives, in collaboration with the French consulate, help those most in need.
- For more information on our reach and sponsorship opportunities, download our brochure to explore the full scope of our impact and engagement.
- Contact us for partnership opportunities: communication@comite-tricolore.org
