Notre-Dame – After the Fire: The Redesign of the Surroundings of Notre-Dame de Paris with Bas Smets, Landscape Architect and Founder of Bureau Bas Smets (In English)
2025-12-18 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Notre-Dame – After the Fire: The Redesign of the Surroundings of Notre-Dame de Paris with Bas Smets, Landscape Architect and Founder of Bureau Bas Smets (In English)
In partnership with the Alliance Française Miami Metro, the Alliance Française de Chicago, and the Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris
This event begins at 10am PT / 11am MT / 12pm CT / 1pm ET and will be IN ENGLISH.
In 2022, the City of Paris announced that the team led by Belgian landscape designer Bas Smets won the competition to reimagine the area surrounding Notre-Dame Cathedral. Bas Smets will describe how the team plans to redesign the square in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral and the underground parking spaces beneath it, the Jean XXIII square located behind the cathedral, the Seine riverbanks, and the adjacent streets, in order to create a microclimate to mitigate the effects of climate change. This extensive project is scheduled to begin in 2025 and end in 2030.
This event will be IN ENGLISH.

Speaker: Bas Smets received master’s degrees in Architecture and Civil Engineering from the University of Leuven and in Landscape from the University of Geneva. In 2007, he founded Bureau Bas Smets in Brussels, whose designs explore new ways to transform the city into an urban ecology, capable of producing cooling microclimates to counter climate change. In addition to his design work, Bas Smets has taught at various schools of architecture in Europe. In 2023, he was appointed Professor in Practice at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.
Moderator: Russell Kelley is Vice President of the Alliance Française Miami Metro and the author of The Making of Paris (Lyons Press, 2021) and Walking Through the Ages of Paris (Lyons Press, to be published in 2026).

Sur la route des régions françaises
2026-01-13 13:30 - 15:00
Voyage autour de la France en 8 régions by Julie STERN
In person class
level required Intermediate & up
Pack you bag to travel across eight of France’s most fascinating regions and discover how history, geography, tradition and tourism shape each one unique identity while enriching your vocabulary and strengthening your comprehension.
Each class will offer a new destination to explore and a deeper understanding of the local life with practical insights and concrete tips about what to see and to do there.
Activity meeting dates
January 13 to March 3 on Tuesdays from 1:30pm am to 3pm.

Crêpe Soirée: La Chandeleur Celebration with Suzette LA
2026-02-05 18:30 - 20:00 | Alliance Francaise de Los Angeles
Crêpe Soirée: La Chandeleur Celebration with Suzette LA

Join us for a delightful evening celebrating La Chandeleur, one of France’s most cherished culinary traditions, at our Crêpe Soirée with Suzette LA.

La Chandeleur, celebrated every year on February 2nd, is a traditional French holiday with both religious and cultural significance. Over time, it has become closely associated with crêpes and convivial gatherings. According to popular French superstition, flipping a crêpe while holding a coin is said to bring good luck and financial prosperity for the year.

The evening will begin with a short presentation exploring the history of crêpes in France, the origins of La Chandeleur, and the traditions surrounding this festive occasion. Following the presentation, guests will enjoy a tasting of freshly prepared crêpes, with wine and coffee served, for a warm and authentic French experience.

Whether you are a Francophile, a food lover, or simply looking for a charming cultural evening, this celebration of La Chandeleur promises to be both informative and delicious.

Online TCF B2 Preparation
2026-02-07 09:00 - 11:00 | Alliance Francaise de Los Angeles
Online TCF B2 Preparation

2 HOURS ONLINE WORKSHOP led by Violaine de Landes, TCF certified instructor

Get ready for the TCF B2 exam with this focused prep class! You will review everything covered on the exam—listening, reading, grammar, vocabulary, speaking, and writing! This is the perfect workshop for anyone planning to take the TCF soon.

Activity meeting dates
Saturday February 7th from 9 am to 11am

Les Grands Magasins Parisiens
2026-03-03 11:00 - 12:30
Les Grands Magasins Parisiens – Workshop let by Veronique Courtois
Les Galeries Lafayette, La Samaritaine… Come and discover the history of the iconic Parisian “Grands Magasins” in these two entertaining trivia-filled workshops.
Tuesday March 3 & 10, 2026
Advanced level & above
$90.00 / $75.00 for members

Activity meeting dates
Tuesdays March 3 & 10, 2026, 11 am to 12:30 pm

Francophonie Celebration: Special Short Film Screening
2026-03-05 18:30 - 20:30 | Alliance Francaise de Los Angeles
The Alliance Française de Los Angeles is honored to show a special screening of the short film “L’enfant à la peau blanche” (The Boy with White Skin) in celebration of le mois de la Francophonie on Thursday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m. This captivating, award-winning film is follows an Albino child, entrusted by his father to a group of gold-miners, who embodies all of their hopes. Join us for an exclusive film screening, featuring a special presentation by Mame Toucouleur MBaye, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Senegal, Los Angeles, followed by the film screening and Q&A. Guests will also be served wine alongside a curated selection of charcuterie, cheeses, and crackers. Written and directed by @simonpanay​Produced by @bandini_films and Astou Films Co-produced by @hkcorp and R-Lines Exclusive Short-Film Screening Thursday, March 5, at 6:30 p.m. Alliance Française de Los Angeles 10390 Santa Monica Blvd Suite #300 To register for this exclusive film screening, please visit adela.org.

Private visit at the Hammer Museum: Mario Avati Prints
2026-03-20 14:00 - 15:30 | Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, United States
Your guide, who holds a Master’s in printmaking, has reserved the Grunwald Center at the Hammer Museum for a private showing of Mario Avati prints. Avati was an extraordinary printmaker and his works are not often displayed. We will talk about his life, influences, technique and subject matters which include still lives and Paris.
You will be responsible for the parking fee remaining after validation. Let’s meet by the entrance by the parking side a little before 2 pm.
In French, for advanced levels.
Friday, March 20th, 2 – 3:30 pm

Crafting Culinary Excellence with a Le Cordon Bleu chef
2026-04-23 18:30 - 20:00 | Alliance Francaise de Los Angeles
Join us for Crafting Culinary Excellence: A Conversation with a Le Cordon Bleu Chef, an exclusive opportunity to gain insight into the artistry, discipline, and professional journey behind one of the world’s most respected culinary traditions. Guests will enjoy an engaging discussion led by our distinguished chef, who will share personal experiences, culinary philosophies, and reflections from the kitchens of Le Cordon Bleu. To complement the evening, snacks and wine will be provided.

Pricing:

$40 for members
$45 for non-members

Activity meeting dates
Thursday April 23rd From 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
