French, Francophones, Francophiles and Friends

Chauvinism comes from Nicolas Chauvin who had an inflated and somewhat exclusive admiration for his country. We are not sure he did exist, but he is supposed to have fought in the Napoleonic wars.

So let’s dive into things French in D.C.

Start early: Rochambeau French International School

Founded in 1955, Rochambeau French International School is a leader in multilingual and multicultural education, from pre-K programs through 12th grade. It is a true crossroads of the world, with 1225 students and more than 80 nationalities represented.

Its community includes representation from over 30 international Embassies, hundreds of multinational corporations, dozens of local, state and national governmental agencies, and entrepreneurs exploring innovative ideas in every field.

On March 23, 2024 don’t miss the Rochambeau Gala.
Enjoy a sparkling evening of dinner and dancing at the "Soirée Petillante" at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington D.C.
... and bid to your heart’s content in a live and silent auction!

The Rochambeau Gala is an unforgettable evening and the highlight of the school’s social calendar, with music, dinner, dancing, and Live and Silent Auction. It is a wonderful way to come together with fellow friends, reconnect or make new connections, promote your business, and bid on some unique and entertaining auction items.

Proceeds from the Gala will help make important investments and advancements for school academic projects, STEM activities and modern learning and athletic facilities projects, as well as contributing to financial aid for lower-income students. This academic year, Rochambeau awarded more than $1 million to over 120 students.

Click here for tickets.

Continue Learning French in D.C.

Learning French in Washington, D.C. offers a rich and diverse array of opportunities due to the city’s vibrant international community and cultural scene. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, there are various resources and institutions available to help you master the French language:

In Washington, D.C., the Alliance Française served as a cultural beacon, offering language courses, cultural events, and resources to individuals interested in learning French and exploring French culture. They maintain libraries and resource centers stocked with a wealth of French-language materials, including books, films, music, and educational resources.

They curate a dynamic calendar of events encompassing film screenings, art exhibitions, concerts, theater performances, and literary readings By collaborating with local organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies, they promote cross-cultural understanding and cooperation on a global scale.

Local Universities and Colleges: Several universities and colleges in Washington, D.C. offer French language courses as part of their language departments.

Language Schools and Institutes: There are private language schools and institutes in Washington, D.C. that specialize in teaching French.

Cultural Centers and Embassies: French cultural centers, such as the Maison Française at the Embassy of France and the French-American Cultural Foundation, host events, lectures, and exhibitions that celebrate French language and culture.

French Meetup Groups: Meetup.com and similar platforms also host French-themed meetup groups where members gather to converse in French, participate in cultural activities, and socialize with other Francophiles in the D.C. area.

By taking advantage of such resources and opportunities, you can immerse yourself in the French language and culture while living in Washington, D.C., and make significant progress.

Join la Francophonie

La Francophonie is an expansive network of French-speaking countries and regions. French is spoken by over 300 million individuals globally. Central to this union is the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) comprising 88 member states and governments, alongside 27 observer states.

La Francophonie champions the promotion of French language, cultural diversity, and collaboration across various sectors including education, culture, peacekeeping, and sustainable development. As a platform for cultural diplomacy, la Francophonie facilitates dialogue and mutual understanding between nations, promoting values of respect, tolerance, and dialogue.

The D.C. Francophonie Cultural Festival celebrates the diversity of the French and Francophone communities around the world through a series of cultural events and outreach programs. Embassies and institutions collaborate each year to present concerts, cuisine, films, and presentations.

2024 New African Film Festival at AFI
From March 15th to 28th
AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA

Featuring 26 films from 16 countries, including three U.S. premieres, this year’s festival opens with Mohamed Kordofani’s Cannes-premiered GOODBYE JULIA, and the festival closes with the Slamdance award-winner AFRICAN GIANTS.

Click here to see the list of all the movies presented.

"Les Gentils", a Belgian social comedy
Monday, March 18th at 7:00 PM
La Maison Française Embassy of France 4101 Reservoir Rd, NW Washington, DC 20007
A 2022 Belgian social comedy directed by Olivier Ringer. The screening will be followed by a Belgian beer tasting.
The movie will be in French with English subtitles.

Click here for tickets.

Soirée Francophone
Tuesday March 19th at 7:00 PM
La Maison Française
A screening and filmmakers’ Q&A of the films "Ativio" and "Nocturno," in partnership with the Embassy of Luxembourg. There will also be a cello interlude.

Click here for tickets.

Piaf! The Show
Wednesday, March 20 and Thursday, March 21st at 7:00 PM
La Maison Française
Piaf! The Show tells the story of the career of the singer Edith Piaf, through her unforgettable songs in an original scenography and projections of unpublished images of her.

Click here for tickets.

Julio, Felices por Siempre
Tuesday, March 26th at 7:00 PM
La Maison Française
Julio is a dreamer, despite the years and frustrated loves he has already lived. A being whose charm seems to come from stumbling itself. In partnership with the Embassy of Uruguay.

Click here for tickets.

Coeur de Slush (Billie Blue)
Wednesday, 27 March at 6:00 PM
La Maison Française
Film screening with Director Q&A. In this romantic comedy, dive into summer with 16 year-old Billie, a water park lifeguard, along with her two best friends and perfect older sister. Adapted from the novel by Sarah-Maude Beauchesne.

Click here for tickets.
 

Did You Know: Little-Known facts about Rochambeau

Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau was the commander-in-chief of the French expeditionary force that King Louis XVI sent to America in 1780. It included 5,500 troops and was instrumental in support of George Washington, particularly during the Yorktown Campaign.

Two monuments honor the French contribution to America’s war for Independence on Lafayette Square, across from the White House : one is of Lafayette, the other of Rochambeau.

Rochambeau possessed a multifaceted personality beyond his illustrious military career. Some little-known aspects of Rochambeau’s life include his deep passion for chess and his fascination with botany. He cultivated rare and exotic plants, enjoyed exploring different cuisines and was an animal lover at heart. He had a penchant for poetry and literature, composed verses, and was fluent in English and Italian. Like George Washington and Lafayette, he was a Freemason.

Loyal to the King he was arrested and imprisoned in Paris during the Reign of Terror but escaped the guillotine and was pardoned by Napoleon from whom he received a pension.

He died at the Château de Rochambeau in the Loire Valley at age 81. The castle is still owned by the family.

Go-to pastry & bakery ingredient manufacturer since 1986.

Founded by a French Pastry Chef, PastryStar has been more than a pastry ingredient partner; it’s a legacy crafted from the heart and soul of a family dedicated to the art of pastry and bakery innovation.

PastryStar’s excellence in service and quality dates all the way back to 1865, when the Picou family established their first pastry ingredient manufacturing facility in France. Theodore Pary, a Master Pastry Chef, and Mireille Picou, Business Executive of the Picou family, recognized a need in the American market for easy-to-use pastry mixes.

PastryStar manufactures a full range of high-quality and clean label pastry ingredients to fill all its customers’ bakery needs. These top quality bakery ingredients are made from scratch.

We welcome their support and commitment in the context of their Corporate Social Responsibility.

Les Expressions Françaises

"Avoir Voix au Chapitre"

"To have a say"

The expression dates back to the Middle Ages.

Le Chapitre was the room where the monks used to meet to listen to the scriptures. The assembly of monks itself became known as the Chapitre. They met to discuss and decide of the affairs of their community.

Monks were invited to the chapter, but not all were allowed to speak. The one who had a voice was the one who could participate in the decision-making.

Later, in the 15th century, the expression began to spread beyond the monastic framework and is about being able to express one’s opinion.

Speaking French gives you ’une voix au chapitre’ as expressing one’s opinion is a favorite French pastime!

 Our next Solidarity Dinner will be held on Tuesday, April 30th at Peacock Café.
You can already check the menu and register by clicking here.

 On May 4th The Alliance Française will host its Gala.

 June 6, 2024, will mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. There will be celebrations and Exclusive Concert Series in Washington, DC throughout 2024

 Don’t forget to check the Agenda on our website as we update it regularly.

 Follow us on Facebook @ and/or on Instagram @ as we announce new dates and events.