Monuments en francophonie: free events focusing on words and the French language

Published by Graziella de Sortiraparis · Photos by My de Sortiraparis · Published on September 10, 2024 at 04:52 p.m.
To mark the Francophonie Summit, monuments in Paris and the Greater Paris region are organizing a number of events from October 4 to 6, 2024, to celebrate the French language, including storytelling readings, giant dictations and writing workshops!

The 19th Francophonie Summit will take place from October 4 to 6, 2024 in the heart of the Cité internationale de la langue française at the Château de Villers-Cotterêts, but also in national monuments across the country. More than a hundred free events are on offer, particularly in Paris and the Ile-de-France region, with storytelling tours, writing workshops, concerts, theater and even giant dictations - enough to celebrate our language in all its splendor!!!

It's the first time this summit has been held in France since 1991, and it's an opportunity to rediscover our magnificent monuments from another angle, through events based around words and letters. For the occasion, the exhibition " Révélation! Contemporary Art from Benin " will also be inaugurated at the Conciergerie.

Exposition « Révélation ! Art contemporain du Bénin » à la Conciergerie  -  A7C3238Exposition « Révélation ! Art contemporain du Bénin » à la Conciergerie  -  A7C3238Exposition « Révélation ! Art contemporain du Bénin » à la Conciergerie  -  A7C3238Exposition « Révélation ! Art contemporain du Bénin » à la Conciergerie  -  A7C3238 The exhibition Révélation ! Contemporary art from Benin, unveiled at the Conciergerie
La Conciergerie welcomes contemporary artists from Benin, from October 4 2024 to January 5 2025, for an original exhibition entitled "Révélation ! Contemporary art from Benin". Discover the images of this exhibition-event! [Read more]

[midroll]

The program in Ile-de-France

At the Château de Rambouillet, participants meet one of history's greatest fabulists: Jean-Pierre Claris de Florian. Forgotten in school textbooks, Florian is nonetheless a worthy successor to La Fontaine. During a guided tour, young and old alike rediscover the characteristics of this literary genre, and are surprised by Florian's writings, from which many expressions are still drawn today. They then continue with a writing workshop in the company of professional storyteller Iréne Marfaing.

  • Château de Maisons - Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6, at 2:30 p.m.: "Introduction to theater".

Participants celebrate the language of Molière with an introduction to theater in the sumptuous baroque setting of the Salle des Fêtes. The theater workshops are a shared stage activity with professional actors and a director.
In partnership with the Compagnie des Marlins.

Actress Chanelle Bernard reads extracts from the correspondence of the Princess Palatine, wife of Monsieur, brother of Louis XIV.

Word-picking along the tour route, followed by a fun writing workshop with Des lettres et des histoires.

  • Sunday, October 6, 2:30pm and 4pm: "Des nouvelles d'Honoré?

Staged readings of little-known short stories by Balzac with Compagnie Prométhéâtre.

To mark the Francophonie Summit, the Cathedral Basilica of Saint-Denis is hosting a Giant Dictation in the nave, presented by Rachid Santaki. La Dictée Gérante has been run since 2013 by novelist and screenwriter Rachid Santaki. The aim is to democratize the great French classics, to turn the relationship with dictation on its head, to "gather around a game of writing to bring people together." It's "an opportunity to surpass oneself, with the French language at stake".

  • Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6, at 2:30 p.m.: "The Basilica: words and images!

This year, on the occasion of the Francophonie Summit, participants discover the cathedral basilica and its royal recumbents, and take part in a "calligramme" workshop. Invented by the poet Guillaume Apollinaire, calligrams are texts put into images. Starting with a simple pencil drawing, each participant writes a short text about the basilica, to be copied onto the silhouette of the monument. Participants choose the paper color, the felt-tip colors, the line thickness and, of course, the calligraphy (script or cursive, upper or lower case) to give shape to their basilica!

The program in Paris

Concert by Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo in the Sainte-Chapelle to celebrate the French-speaking world, as part of the opening weekend of the "Révélation: Contemporary Arts from Benin" exhibition in the Conciergerie.

Grand dictation in the salons d'honneur of the Hôtel de la Marine.

Le goût de la Renaissance, l'exposition de collectionneurs se dévoile à l'Hôtel de la Marine - IMG20240305112901Le goût de la Renaissance, l'exposition de collectionneurs se dévoile à l'Hôtel de la Marine - IMG20240305112901Le goût de la Renaissance, l'exposition de collectionneurs se dévoile à l'Hôtel de la Marine - IMG20240305112901Le goût de la Renaissance, l'exposition de collectionneurs se dévoile à l'Hôtel de la Marine - IMG20240305112901 A giant free dictation in the salons d'apparat of the Hôtel de la Marine
Want to showcase the French language in a Parisian landmark? A Dictée pour tous will take place in the salons d'appartment of the Hôtel de la Marine on October 5, 2024, accessible to all! [Read more]

  • Panthéon - Sunday, October 6, 11am: "Ce que dit la bouche d'ombre" ("What the shadow mouth says")

A storytelling stroll with two storytellers, combining discoveries and extracts from Victor Hugo's work with legends of the Panthéon.

  • Arc de Triomphe - Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6, at 4pm: "Le murmure des dieux" (The whisper of the gods)

Families discover the Arc de Triomphe through a storytelling tour that immerses them in a dreamlike epic!

  • Sunday, October 6, 10 a.m.: "Write me a postcard!

Participants immerse themselves in the history of the Arc de Triomphe during a family workshop tour. They admire the breathtaking view over the city and learn about the history of Parisian monuments. In the workshop, they express their creativity by creating unique postcards using the collage technique and writing inspired texts. An unforgettable experience for the whole family, combining discovery, art and sharing!

Practical information

Dates and Opening Time
From October 4, 2024 to October 6, 2024

× Approximate opening times: to confirm opening times, please contact the establishment.

    Prices
    Free

    Official website
    www.monuments-nationaux.fr

    Comments
    Refine your search
    Refine your search
    Refine your search
    Refine your search