The Comité Tricolore offers you access to the rich French Cultural Heritage. Take advantage of these opportunities!

- The Preservation of French Heritage
- September: an Open Door to French Cultural Variety
- Next Solidarity Dinner at ’Convivial’
- Save the Dates!
- Les Expressions Françaises": "Un Bouillon de Culture"
Travelling through France, one marvels at the richness and diversity on offer: centuries of history, monuments, cathedrals, archaeological sites, intangible heritage, traditions, and craftsmanship are visible and accessible almost everywhere.
Here in D.C. the Comité Tricolore brings together in one place an easy way to take advantage of this cultural wealth at your fingertips.

The Preservation of French Heritage
The French Ministry of Culture plays a crucial role in the preservation and protection of the country’s cultural wealth.
The Ministry identifies, classifies, and registers historical monuments with cultural significance, granting them legal protection to prevent their destruction or alteration without authorization. Additionally, it funds and oversees restoration projects for important cultural sites like historical monuments, castles, and churches, often in collaboration with local and regional authorities, associations, and heritage experts.
A large-scale operation known as the General Inventory of Cultural Heritage documents and catalogs the entirety of France’s cultural heritage. This inventory enhances the understanding and protection of the country’s cultural wealth.
Beyond physical sites, the Ministry also emphasizes the preservation of intangible heritage, focusing on traditions, regional languages, artisanal skills, and other elements of living culture.
The Ministry is also involved in the creation and implementation of laws and regulations to protect cultural heritage. These measures include combating the illicit trafficking of artworks and archaeological objects.
In the wake of the economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry embarked on a recovery plan with heritage restoration at its heart not only to revive historical monuments but also to breathe life into local economies, supporting heritage professions and revitalizing town centers and rural landscapes.
At the heart of France’s cultural consciousness lies Notre-Dame Cathedral, whose tragic 2019 fire sent shockwaves across the world. Its restoration has become a symbol of national pride.
To support these efforts, individuals and groups are key in supporting various actions such as our member the association of American Friends of Chartres.
Beyond grand edifices, the Ministry also cherishes France’s artisanal heritage, actively supporting traditional crafts such as Aubusson tapestries or Limoges porcelain with inter-generational programs ensuring that the savoir-faire of craftsmanship is passed on to new generations.
A key focus is on safeguarding at-risk sites, particularly in rural areas, through intensified restoration efforts. Digitization and 3D modeling are being used to create detailed archives, allowing for virtual tours and precise future restoration, while research is being funded to develop durable restoration materials. Climate change protection strategies are being implemented, targeting sites like Mont-Saint-Michel, vulnerable to rising sea levels.
For more information click here to go to the Ministry’s website: Conservation et Restorations
September: An Open Door to French Cultural Variety

Cultural Heritage
Conference: The Rose Windows of Notre-Dame de Chartres
American Friends of Chartres
12 September 2024 12:00
Online
Prof. Elizabeth Pastan of Emory University on the theme: "The Rose Windows of Notre-Dame de Chartres."
How to Read a Rose? Elizabeth Pastan will guide us in comparing the north, west and south rose windows of Chartres Cathedral.
Click here for details and tickets.
The Rebirth of Notre Dame -Conference
La Maison Française
October 1st 2024 7:00 PM
Delve into the fascinating journey of restoring this cultural and spiritual beacon. Notre Dame’s revival promises to shine brightly once more, not only for Paris and France but for the entire world.

After welcoming remarks by the Ambassador of France to the United-States, Laurent Bili, Michel Picaud, President of the Friends of Notre Dame de Paris, will guide you through the centuries, from the first stone laid in 1163 to the cathedral’s enduring significance today.
Then Ludovic Lebeau, Deputy Chief-Executive of the public establishment overseeing Notre Dame’s restoration, will reveal the intricate steps in one of Europe’s most significant historical restoration projects. Discover what lies ahead before Notre Dame reopens its doors to the world.
Click here for tickets.

The Arts
1874, The Birth of Impressionism
French In Motion
Sunday, September 8, 2024 / 3pm-4:30pm
National Gallery of Art - East Building Auditorium
https://www.frenchinmotion.org/
After introductory remarks by Ambassador of France Laurent Bili and Joanna Raczynska, film programmer at National Gallery of Art, join directors Julien Johan and Hugues Nancy for a post-screening discussion, in person.
Click here for tickets.
Music
Washington Opera Society -Don Giovanni
Amicale des Musiciens Francophones de Washington D.C.
Don Giovanni by W. A. Mozart
Embassy of Austria
September 13, 2024 at 7:30 PM
You are cordially invited to the Embassy of Austria for a thrilling evening with Mozart by Maestro Julien Benichou, Conductor
Mozart’s Don Giovanni thrillingly explores the passions and perils of love, morality, and the inevitable fallout of reckless choices, all centered on the daring exploits of Don Giovanni.
Wine and Dessert Buffet Immediately following the performance.
Click here for tickets.
Once again La Maison Française proposes a rich variety of musical delights!
La Chapelle Harmonique - Valentin Tournet Concert
La Maison Française
24 September 2024 19:30
https://franceintheus.org/
Join us for an enchanting evening celebrating the profound impact of the film "Tous les matins du monde" on the life of Valentin Tournet. This concert pays tribute to the founding shock that sparked a lifelong passion for music and shaped his remarkable career.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to witness Valentin Tournet’s heartfelt homage to the film and music that profoundly influenced his life and artistry.
Click here for tickets.
Yacine Boulares and Tarek Yamani Quartet “WAIYK” Concert
La Maison Française
26 September 2024 19:30
https://franceintheus.org/
On September 26, experience Arabic trance jazz music with an exciting concert featuring Lebanese pianist Tarek Yamani and French-Tunisian saxophonist Yacine Boulares together in a new project that honors their mutual heritages.
Click here for details and tickets.
Theater
“The Bus Stop” Play by Scena Theatre
La Maison Française
30 September 2024 19:30
https://franceintheus.org/
Join us at La Maison Française for a performance of The Bus Stop, an absurdist play written in 1981 by one of China’s most powerful dissident voices.
Now banned in mainland China, the play remains an influential work for those yearning for freedom and to better their lives.

A group of colorful characters wait at a bus stop in the suburbs of China. One bus after another passes them by as their lives and dreams also seem to slip away. Tempers flare and they begin to argue with one another...
Click here for details and tickets.
To enjoy all the events proposed by our Members, don’t forget to:
Follow us on Facebook and/or Instagram to get the latest news,
Plan in advance, go to our Agenda to see events month by month,
Last but not least, check your mailbox for the newsletter to get more detailed information on who’s who and what’s what!
Next Solidarity Dinner at ’Convivial’
The Comité Tricolore is inviting you to Convivial DC, a French Bistro in the heart of the Shaw neighborhood. The restaurant defines itself as classic French cuisine with a contemporary accent where you can find all your French favorites complemented by superlative local produce.
Chef Cedric Maupillier, award-winning veteran of culinary destinations such as Maestro, Citronelle, and Central, opened Convivial in November 2015 to accolades and rave reviews.
Please check below the wonderful 3-course menu with many favorites for the Comité Tricolore’s friends. A great variety of choices!
Click here to reserve and find out all the details.
If you are coming with friends, please let us know so that we can seat you together at the same table. We regroup guests at tables of 6 or 8 unless you wish a separate table.
Save the Dates!
If you have postponed talking to an attorney about these matters, you might want to make a Labor Day resolution and register for one of the online and/or in-person FREE seminars that are available once a month.

To sign up, click on this link.
Or call Olivia Pagan at 703-448-6121.

St Louis de France - Kermesse - Charity Fair
Eglise Catholique St Louis de France
October 6th 2024 11:30
Find a selection of books in French at "La Semaine du Livre" From October 1st to October 4th from 10 AM to 6 PM at the Church.

Le Déjeuner sur l’Herbe
October 20th, 2024
Grand déjeuner en plein air, organisé par le Comité Tricolore pour la communauté française de Washington, dans les jardins, et sur une invitation de l’Ambassade de France

The Victor Obadia Humanitarian Trophy
We are taking nominations until September 30th for the Victor Obadia Humanitarian Trophy. The trophy will be presented to an outstanding individual chosen to honor their benevolent actions and principles of generosity and compassion. Documents can be completed on our website. Click here.
Les Expressions Françaises
Un Bouillon de Culture
A cultural broth.
The expression "cultural broth" (in French, “bouillon de culture”) has its roots in microbiology, where it refers to a liquid nutrient medium used to grow microorganisms like bacteria or fungi. This nutrient-rich environment enables the organisms to thrive, making it easier to study them in a laboratory setting.
Over time, the phrase has evolved into a metaphor, describing any environment where ideas, talents, or cultural trends can flourish. In this broader sense, a “cultural broth” signifies a dynamic space where diverse elements—whether people, ideas, or movements—converge and grow. Paris in the early 20th century was often seen as a "cultural broth" for artists and intellectuals, providing fertile ground for creativity and innovation.