Lectures on french civilization

Throughout the sessions, lectures on French society and culture are prepared by leading experts to enable students to further their knowledge of French civilization. They also provide an opportunity to perfect oral comprehension of the French language.

The majority of lectures supplement the available teaching.

Registration Procedures

Conference: Let's Discover the Middle Ages!
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Ouverte dès le niveau A2
Exclusivement en visioconférence
Conférencière : Valérie Guyen Croquez

The Middle Ages are often misunderstood and underappreciated. I invite you to explore this period with me: we’ll begin by debunking persistent misconceptions. Then, we’ll take a chronological approach to uncover how diverse the Middle Ages were, spanning from the 5th to the 15th century. Finally, the last sessions will adopt a thematic focus, delving into medieval bestiaries and the sensitivities of that era.

From the first Franks with Clovis, through Charlemagne, to Joan of Arc: everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the Middle Ages but never dared to ask!

 

 
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Ouverte dès le niveau A2
Conférencière : Céline Dally

This series of lectures offers non-French-speaking students an in-depth exploration of French geography, history, and traditions, extending far beyond Paris and the usual tourist destinations. These lectures provide a comprehensive overview of France’s landscapes and ways of life, allowing participants to enrich their general knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of the social environment in which they live.

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Ouverte dès le niveau A2/B1
Conférencière : Catherine Abela

Here too, we will follow the thread of history to uncover the mysteries behind the birth of a language—the French language—starting from its origins.

This will help you better tolerate the challenges you face daily in learning French.

Although this lecture is primarily designed for advanced levels, I welcome students starting from level B1.

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Ouverte dès le niveau A2
Conférencière : Catherine Abela

We will follow the thread of history to trace the evolution of clothing styles through the centuries up to the present day.

You’ll come to realize that dressing is not merely a matter of taste or fashion, but that clothing often reflects the society we live in—with all its eccentricities and constraints.

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Ouverte dès le niveau A2
Exclusivement en visioconférence
Conférencier : Philippe Pantet

Contenu disponible prochainement.

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Ouverte dès le niveau A2
Exclusivement en visioconférence
Conférencier : Philippe Pantet

Contenu disponible prochainement.

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Ouverte dès le niveau A2
Exclusivement en visioconférence
Conférencière : Valérie Guyen Croquez

Asterix, Obelix, Tintin, Snowy, the Smurfs, and more… How did comics, initially dismissed at their inception, rise to become the 9th art? How has Francophone comics resisted American and Japanese influences?

Comics are a mirror of social and political changes. That’s why we offer you a journey through the history of comics, from their origins to the present day, with both a chronological and thematic approach (the role of women, the hero and anti-hero, the symbolism of animals).

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Ouverte dès le niveau A2/B1
Conférencière : Ynès Grijem Mejri

The lecture series “The Little and Big History of French Gastronomy” invites you on a culinary journey through time and flavors. From medieval origins to contemporary challenges, we will explore the evolution of this emblematic art of living. On the menu: historical roots, the table of the Sun King, the richness of regional cuisines, the alliance of chefs and diplomats, the magic of wines, and the ingenuity of pastry chefs.

We will conclude with a reflection on current issues, balancing tradition and innovation, as French gastronomy looks boldly to the future. A flavorful journey to understand how France has shaped its culinary heritage and how it plans to preserve and reinvent it.

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Ouverte dès le niveau A2
Conférencier : Louis-Jean Fesquet

What a paradox! The modest structure of King Louis XIII on the hill of Versailles has given way to one of the most admired and visited monuments in the world! Another paradox: Versailles served as a royal residence for a shorter time than it has been a palace of the French Republic. The habitual residence of the French court between 1682 and 1789, the Palace of Versailles nearly disappeared, became a museum, and later became associated with pivotal moments in national history.

From 1623 to today, from royal hunts to the 2024 Olympic Games, let’s retrace the history of this iconic symbol of French civilization!

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Ouverte dès le niveau A2/B1
Conférencière : Marie-Pierre Sales

Why do we sometimes describe a meal as “gargantuan”? What does this expression mean, and where does it come from? Why is the prestigious book collection La Pléiade named as such?

I’d like to explore these questions with you during my lecture “French Literature and Language”, to show how literature influences language and, more broadly, our daily lives. It remains alive through references that French people understand and use. This lecture is primarily aimed at advanced students, but even those at an A2 level are welcome to attend.

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Ouverte dès le niveau A2
Exclusivement en visioconférence
Conférencière : Valérie Guyen Croquez

Molière, Beckett, and Others

This series offers an overview of French theater from Molière to the present day.

The presentation will follow a chronological approach, exploring the different literary movements that have graced the stage through excerpts and video clips of performances, with occasional short practical exercises.

Topics will also include the role of playwrights in society, from patronage to seeking a popular audience; the status of actors, from excommunication to becoming stars; and the material conditions of theatrical performances.

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Ouverte dès le niveau A2
Conférencière : Véronique Gruau

Paris Animal

This lecture series aims to tell the story of Paris in a way that goes beyond the traditional tourist guide, sparking curiosity among students during their walks. It connects tangible elements—such as monuments, statues, façade ornaments, and street names—with historical, literary, or artistic insights.

The theme of animals serves as the thread for this unique approach, chosen for its enjoyment and as a way to delve into topics that truly inspire. For example, we will uncover why a sculpture of a she-wolf in the 6th arrondissement tells the story of France, why we sing about Paris being a snail, who the famous petits rats of the Opéra are, and explore literature by admiring a statue of a raven and a fox in the Ranelagh Garden in the 16th arrondissement. We will also follow a cat and a rabbit into the cabarets of Montmartre during the Belle Époque… and make many more discoveries.

Participating in this series will allow students to complement their French language studies with a broader cultural understanding of the city where they are staying.

This series is open to students of all levels; I speak slowly, and my PowerPoint includes vocabulary slides.

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Ouverte dès le niveau A2
Conférencière : Marie Lecoq

Although they currently make up 53% of Paris’s population, women often remain underrepresented in both the ancient and modern history of the city. During their studies in French language and civilization, students are often introduced to the great men of French and Parisian history, but women are seldom given much space. When they are mentioned, it is often as the “wife of,” “daughter of,” “mother of,” or as a seductress.

The goal of this lecture series is to place women at the center of Parisian history, not as passive spectators or mere objects of history, but as active participants and architects of their destinies. To achieve this, we will delve into Paris’s past and highlight the lives of women, both famous and unknown, who have left their mark on the city.

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Ouverte dès le niveau A2
Exclusivement en visioconférence
Conférencière : Valérie Guyen Croquez

The history of France is vast and rich. In ten straightforward lectures spanning over twenty centuries, I will provide you with clear landmarks and anchor points to help you navigate through it.

Each lecture will highlight how history has shaped the France we know today. I will use a variety of materials (reproductions, film excerpts, and videos) to make the content engaging and dynamic.

From royal hunts to the 2024 Olympic Games, let’s retrace the history of this cornerstone of French civilization together!

  • Admission to the lectures is only finalized once full payment has been made and the registration file has been validated.
  • Registration can be completed online or directly at the institution’s admissions office.
  • An annual registration fee of €75 is required at the time of enrollment.

Information

Les Cours de civilisation française de la Sorbonne seront fermés du 21 au 26 décembre puis du 31 décembre au 05 janvier 2025.

Les cours reprendront le 20 janvier à la nouvelle adresse :

7-11 avenue des Chasseurs
75017 Paris

Bonnes fêtes de fin d’année !

_________________

The Cours de civilisation française de la Sorbonne will be closed from December 21 to December 26, and again from December 31 to January 5, 2025.

Classes will resume on January 20 at the new address:

7-11 Avenue des Chasseurs
75017 Paris

Happy Holidays!

Noël

Nouveautés

Découvrez les cours mensuels de français.

Ces programmes courts sont destinés à un public de niveau débutant, élémentaire ou intermédiaire (niveaux A0 à B1).

Ils combinent cours de français et cours de phonétique pour progresser rapidement dans la maîtrise de la langue française.

Discover monthly French courses.

These short programs are designed for beginners, elementary, or intermediate learners (levels from A0 to B1).

They combine French language classes and speaking practice sessions to help students quickly improve their mastery of the French language.

OFFRE D’ÉTÉ

Bénéficiez de 20% de réduction sur tous les cours annuels et semestriels pour la rentrée de septembre 2024, pour toute inscription réalisée avant le 1er septembre, dans la limite des places disponibles.

Votre code promo :
SEPTEMBRE24

SUMMER DEALS

Get a 20% discount on all annual and semester courses for the September 2024 intake, for any registration completed before September 1st, subject to availability.

Your promo code:
SEPTEMBRE24

INFORMATION

Le secrétariat sera exceptionnellement fermé le jeudi 6 juin.

The secretariat will be exceptionally closed on Thursday, June 6. 

Dernières places disponibles pour la rentrée d'automne !

Profitez d’une remise exceptionnelle de 20% sur le cours intensif de français S40, les cours S10 et S20 et les cours du soir.

Les inscriptions fermeront le vendredi 13 septembre à minuit.

Pour s’inscrire :

  • Pour le cours S40, inscription sur ce site avec le code promo SEPTEMBRE24
  • Pour les cours du soir S05, inscription sur ce site avec le code promo SEPTEMBRE24
  • Pour les cours S10 et S20, inscription directement au secrétariat de l’institution, ouvert du lundi au vendredi de 9h30 à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 16h30.


Inscription dans la limite des places disponibles.

L’inscription à la session d’automne (rentrée du 16 septembre 2024) est encore possible, sous réserve de places disponibles.

Les étudiants souhaitant s’inscrire sont invités à se rendre directement au bureau des admissions de l’institution, ouvert du lundi au vendredi de 9h30 à 16h30.
Ils doivent s’assurer de disposer d’un visa valide.

L’inscription en ligne pour cette session n’est plus possible sur ce site.

Last spots available for the fall intake

Get an exclusive 20% discount on the intensive French course S40, S10 & S20 courses, and evening classes.

Registration will close on Friday, September 13th, at midnight.

To register:

  • For the S40 course, register on this website using the promo code SEPTEMBRE24.
  • For the evening classes S05, register on this website using the promo code SEPTEMBRE24.
  • For S10 & S20 courses, register directly at the institution’s office, open Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

Registration is subject to availability.

Registration for the fall session (starting on September 16, 2024) is still possible, subject to availability.

Students wishing to register are invited to go directly to the institution’s admission office, open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
They must ensure they have a valid visa.

Online registration for this session is no longer available on this website.

Dates des prochains examens TCF

Les prochaines sessions d’examen TCF auront lieu dans les locaux de l’institution aux dates suivantes :

Le 30 janvier et le 27 février :

TCF TP SOS’INSCRIRE
TCF TP SO
+ épreuve orale
S’INSCRIRE
TCF TP SO
+ épreuve écrite
S’INSCRIRE
TCF TP SO completS’INSCRIRE

Le 31 janvier et le 28 février :

TCF IRNS’INSCRIRE