In-Person

La Pause Café with Café Joyeux

Friday, May 1, 2026

2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Join us for a special edition of "La Pause Café” where Café Joyeux will brew their specialty coffee while you practice your French, immerse yourself in stimulating conversations, and make new friends.

In-Person

La Dictée du Printemps at the French Library

Saturday, May 2, 2026

10:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Join us for a playful and engaging French dictation event where adults, teens, and families can explore the language together! Whether you’re looking to sharpen your listening skills, spark your creativity, or simply enjoy a light‑hearted challenge, the French Library offers a warm and friendly atmosphere for learners of all levels. Come rediscover the joy of writing in French while sharing a fun experience with others! The best dictées will get special prizes! Please register by April 28.

In-Person

L'Heure du Conte

Saturday, May 2, 2026

11:30 AM to 12:00 PM

We invite parents and children to gather in the children's room of our library for a magical story time in French!

In-Person

SOLD OUT - Matisse Across the Atlantic: From Paris to American Modernism

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

From Paris to Boston, Professor Claude Cernuschi explores how Matisse’s radical vision of color and form shaped generations of American artists, from Rothko to Ellsworth Kelly.

In-Person

Books & Bottles: Paris

Thursday, May 7, 2026

6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

An elegant wine education series exploring France’s most important regions through the lens of culture, tradition, and taste. Each class embraces a region and incorporates a book as a narrative guide - framing the wines, places, and people that shaped France’s enduring wine culture. Across the series, we’ll move through key French regions in a cohesive tasting journey, offering both seasoned enthusiasts and curious newcomers a deeper, more intuitive understanding of French wine, guided by storytelling, expert insight, and shared conversation.

In-Person

French Culinary Atelier with Chef Cécile Penot Dietrich

Thursday, May 7, 2026

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Learn to prepare a goat cheese and spinach quiche and chocolate tartelettes in this hands-on cooking class, taught in French. Beginners welcome!

In-Person

SOLD OUT A French Lens on Art — Modernism Reimagined at the MFA (Part II)

Thursday, May 7, 2026

2:30 PM to 4:00 PM

Take a private tour of the MFA in French, and discover a curated selection of modern masterpieces. This visit offers a fresh perspective on modern art; between imagination, abstraction, and bold new forms of expression.

Online

Online Conversation Club

Friday, May 8, 2026

2:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Seeking opportunities to speak French? Join us online for our popular members-only conversation gathering.

In-Person

The Monuments of Paris: Rewriting Family History

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Join us for an evening with acclaimed author Violaine Huisman as she presents her new novel, The Monuments of Paris, a sweeping exploration of family, memory, and a little-known chapter of French history during the Second World War.

In-Person

Ciné Club Series: The Double Life of Véronique by Krzysztof Kieślowski

Thursday, May 14, 2026

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

A story of two connected lives, The Double Life of Véronique by Krzysztof Kieślowski is a must-see for lovers of European cinema and great film music.

In-Person

Virtual Event: Ann Scott in Conversation

Thursday, May 14, 2026

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

Join us off-site at Harvard Book Store for a conversation with French author Ann Scott, winner of the 2023 Prix Renaudot, for the release of her cult novel Superstars.

In-Person

La Pause Café

Friday, May 15, 2026

2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Join us for "La Pause Café”, a DROP-IN activity for you to practice your French skills, immerse yourself in stimulating conversations, and make new friends.

Library Book Sale - May 2026

Saturday, May 16, 2026

10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Browse hundreds of books in French, with prices starting at $1 during our biannual book sale. There are not many opportunities to find French books at such a good price in the area, so don't miss your chance to stock up!

In-Person

Café Philo: Down to Earth by Bruno Latour

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Explore how philosophy and ecology help us rethink life on a shared planet.

In-Person

Le club des lecteurs : Fatou Diome

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Join us at the French Library for a conversation about Le ventre de l'Atlantique by Fatou Diome. We invite you to read the book in its entirety and meet us on May 20th, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.

In-Person

May Alors... Conversation Club

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Seeking opportunities to speak French? Join us for our popular members-only conversation gathering.

Patisserie class with Chef and Champagne

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

The French Library is delighted to present this cooking class from our Gastronomy & Wine program. Guided by excellence, this program is designed to educate you in the fine art of cooking and oenology with experts.

In-Person

Cake Decorating Class

Thursday, May 21, 2026

5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

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.

In-Person

Art Exhibit: Cécile Ganne

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Join us for the reopening of our gallery space at the French Library, featuring French painter Cécile Ganne, a distinctive voice in Boston’s contemporary art scene.

In-Person

A Jazz Evening with Jacques Schwarz-Bart

Thursday, May 28, 2026

6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Join us to celebrate the launch of Jacques Schwarz-Bart’s powerful new trio project, Resistance.

In-Person

English Book Club - Abdellah Taïa

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Join us at the French Library for a conversation on Salvation Army by Abdellah Taïa. We invite you to read the book in its entirety and meet us on June 2nd, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.

In-Person

Abstract Landscape Painting Workshop with Cécile Ganne

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Art lovers, join us for a creative and inspiring night led in French with artist, Cécile Ganne!

Wine Seminar - Loire Valley

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Join us in our Victorian Founder's Room for our next Wine Seminar dedicated to the Loire Valley wines. 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.

In-Person

June Alors... Conversation Club

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Seeking opportunities to speak French? Join us for our popular members-only conversation gathering.

In-Person

Theater Club in June

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Come join us for the new Theater Club at the French Library, a place to read, watch, discuss and recite contemporary and classic French plays with fellow enthusiasts.

In-Person

June Game Club: Pictionary Night

Thursday, June 18, 2026

6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Join us for our Pictionary night! Test your knowledge of French vocabulary as well as your drawing skills with this fun and laid-back evening!

Wine Seminar - Liberté & Independence - A Transatlantic Wine Tasting

Tuesday, July 7, 2026

6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

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.

In-Person

An Evening at the French Table with Fernanda Tapia

Thursday, July 9, 2026

5:30 PM to 8:30 PM

The French Library is delighted to present this new dining series through the Gastronomy & Wine program.

In-Person

Bastille Day Celebration 2026

Sunday, July 12, 2026

5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Vive la fête! Celebrate Bastille Day with us for an evening of live music, a joyful swing dance class, French delicacies, flowing drinks, and festive fun for all ages. Don’t miss Boston’s most charming summer celebration.