French Language & Cultural Programs
This fall, L'École Buissonnière opens a new season of French language and cultural programs in Portland — through conversation, literature, philosophy, art, and seasonal traditions.
Speak. Think. Create. Taste. Listen.
Speak. Think. Create. Taste. Listen.
Les Cafés Littéraires:
French Conversation through Literature, Art & CultureLes Salons:
Quarterly Public Conversations on Literature, Philosophy & the ArtsLa Cuisine Saisonnière
French Cooking, Culture & ConversationThis fall, L'École Buissonnière invites you to a monthly Café Littéraire, a French conversation gathering rooted in literature, art, seasonal traditions, and thoughtful exchange.
Inspired by the French tradition of cafés as places of ideas, curiosity, and imagination, these 90-minute gatherings offer a slow and welcoming approach to the French language. Rather than striving for perfect fluency, we cultivate something different: the pleasure of reading the world in French—through stories, images, memory, and conversation.
Sessions
Sept 26 — Stories, Images & Freedom Across Borders
Inaugural evening: Café Littéraire + outdoor screening of Persepolis
Oct 4 — Harvest, Wine & Poetry
Les vendanges : terroir, ivresse et poésie
Nov 1 — Toussaint: Memory & Invisible Connections
La Toussaint : honorer les absents
Dec 6 — Winter Lights & Small Rituals
Lumières, calendriers et petits rituels
Practical Information
When: First Sunday monthly (except Sept)
Time: 10:30 am–12:00 pm
Where: Café Corambé, Mother Foucault's Bookshop
Group size: 15 max
Full Fall Series $90
Single session $25
Drop-in $30
Starting this Fall, L'École Buissonnière invites you to a quarterly event celebrating landmark moments in French intellectual and artistic history. Inspired by the tradition of the French literary salons, these evenings bring together writers, philosophers, artists, scholars, and curious minds for conversations that cross disciplines and generations.
Sessions
Oct 29 — The Foucault Centennial (1926–2026) The Foucault Laboratory: Power, Knowledge, and Freedom.
Feb 2027 — The Conclusion of Lost Time (1927–2027) The Architecture of Involuntary Memory
Practical Information
Time: 6:30–8:00 pm
Where: Padova Storefront, Mother Foucault's Bookshop
Single session$10
Drop-in$15
Carnets de Voyage:
French Language through Art & CreativityA 4-week immersive atelier exploring French language through art, storytelling, and seasonal inspiration. Participants create their own handmade Carnet de Voyage while contributing weekly to a collective Cabinet de Curiosités, culminating in a public exhibition at Padova's storefront. All levels welcome — no prior art experience necessary.
Sessions
Nov 4 — Carnet de Voyage & Collection du Monde
Nov 11 — Calligrammes
Nov 18 — Cartographie Imaginaire
Dec 2 — Installation Collective
Dec 16 — Opening Reception
Practical Information
Facilitators: Elizabeth Haidle & Clara-Julia Peru
Time: 6:30–8:30 pm
Where: Raymond Roussel Conference Room, 3rd Floor
Group size: 15 max
Full Series (Early Bird) $190
Full Series (Regular) $216
Full Series (Supporter) $250
3-Session Bundle $165
2-Session Bundle $150
Drop-in $65–75
Once a month, we gather around a seasonal ingredient to prepare traditional dishes while discovering regional stories, French culinary vocabulary, wine pairings, and the rituals that bring people together around the table.
Sessions
Sept 30 — La pomme dans tous ses états
Rôti de porc, tarte aux pommes, cidre
Oct 28 — Célébration des vendanges
Boeuf bourguignon, Pinot noir de Bourgogne
Nov 25 — La Volaille préférée des français
Poulet rôti, mousse au chocolat, Beaujolais Nouveau
Dec 16 — Réception et Canapés
Gougères, rillettes, profiteroles, Champagne
Practical Information
Facilitators: Marcia Stanley Cuendet & Clara-Julia Peru
When: Last Sunday monthly
Time: 6:30–8:30 pm
Where: La Cuisine, 2nd Floor
Group size: 8 max
Full Fall Series $360
Single session $95
Drop-in $105
La Musique Francophone:
Seasonal Francophone ShowsFeaturing Jet Black Pearl, Helen Gillet, Stéphane Wrembel, John Kaiser…
Coming this fall — dates to be announced. Stay tuned.