This past Friday, our Bastille Day celebration was back for another installment at the charming La Voile in Brookline; over 70 guests enjoyed French appetizers and rosé courtesy of chef Jérôme Bergère while dancing to classic musette French songs played by the live band "Musette Suzette". We had face painting for kids and adults, a raffle, and a contest for the most French outfit, all before singing "La Marseillaise", led by our Executive Director, Barbara Bouquegneau. It was a night of celebration, community, and coming together under all things liberté, égalité, fraternité!

Please enjoy some photos below of our July 14th celebration. Don’t forget to sign up for more events and classes at the French Library to keep the Bastille Day fun going year-round!

Barbara Bouquegneau, President and Executive Director of the French Library, leads the guests in La Marseillaise.

The guests enjoy dancing to their favorite French tunes.  

Barbara joins in with our live band.


We hope to see you soon at another event! Upcoming events include:

Maxine Arnheiter

Administrative Assistant

Maxine discovered her affinity for French language and culture while living with a host family and studying French literature in Rennes, Brittany during her junior year of high school with School Year Abroad. During her time at SYA, her parents took beginner’s classes at the French Library—it was then that Maxine first learned of the library’s existence. Maxine continued with her French studies at Tufts University, majoring in English and French literature with a concentration in visual studies. Along with her time in Rennes, Maxine lived in Paris for a summer where she worked at a small art gallery in the Marais.

Six years after her high school experience in France and a year post college graduation, Maxine is thrilled to be the Administrative Assistant to the French Library, where she hopes to continue learning about and celebrating French culture and literature. In her free time, Maxine enjoys reading, seeing the newest art films at Kendall Square Cinema, and going for runs around the Esplanade.

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Upcoming Events

Food & Wine

Cake Decorating Class

GASTRONOMY & WINE PROGRAM: YOUR FRENCH CULINARY ARTS AND WINE JOURNEY

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

The French Library is delighted to present this cake decorating class from our Gastronomy & Wine program. This class is designed to teach methods, technique and best practices in cake decorating, while having a fun time in the kitchen.

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Wine Seminar: Champagne

Gastronomy & Wine program: Your French Culinary Arts and Wine Journey

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Join us in our Gallery for the next Wine Seminar, dedicated to the Champagne region of France. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, our series is tailored to provide a deeper understanding of French wines, refine your wine-tasting skills and vocabulary, and foster confidence in conversations, selections, and pairings. We will provide you with an authentic French perspective and access to a splendid array of quality wines.

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Monday, August 24, 2026

Learn all about our language immersion program in partnership with the Accent Français language school in France!

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