Alliance Francaise de Berkeley

🇫🇷🏎️ The 24hr du Mans returns this June, a race that tests drivers and their cars in an endurance competition.

Have you ever heard of a car race where car manufacturers test their automotive innovations over a 24-hour circuit? Welcome to Le Mans, where every year the city streets turn into a laboratory for testing car models.
🏁Seatbelts on and get ready to race!

📖 Read more about it on our blog:

🏎️ The 24hr du Mans is back this June, where speed meets endurance.

A race like no other: for 24 hours straight, drivers and manufacturers push limits and test cutting-edge innovations on one of the world’s most legendary circuits.

🏁 Seatbelts on… let’s race.

📖 Read more on our blog, where you can find a version in English and one in French!

🎬 This summer, step into the shadows…

From June 4 to August 28, the BAMPFA presents French Noir: From the Shadows into the Light, a thrilling retrospective exploring the dark elegance of French cinema across decades 🇫🇷🖤

From Poetic Realism to the Nouvelle Vague and beyond, the series dives into the world of crime, passion, mystery, and unforgettable antiheroes through masterpieces by Jean Renoir, Jean-Pierre Melville, François Truffaut, Jean-Luc Godard, Bertrand Tavernier and more.

✨ Highlights include:
• Le samouraï
• Pierrot le fou
• Bob le flambeur
• Elevator to the Gallows
• Rififi
• Le cercle rouge

Film historian David Thomson and Laura Truffaut will also join selected screenings for special presentations and conversations.

A beautiful opportunity to rediscover French noir classics — many newly restored — on the big screen this summer.

🎥 At BAMPFA
📍 Berkeley
📅 June 4 – August 28, 2026

☕🥐 Café Causette is back!

What if your Tuesday morning started with warm croissants, coffee, and conversations in French? 🇫🇷✨

Join us for a cozy and friendly hour at the Alliance Française de Berkeley — whether you are fluent, learning French, or simply curious about French culture.

From food and music to literature, travel, current events, and everyday life, Café Causette is all about sharing, chatting, and connecting in a relaxed atmosphere.

📅 Tuesday, June 9th, 2026
⏰ 10 AM – 11 AM
📍 Alliance Française de Berkeley
$8 for members, $15 for non-members

Everybody is welcome ❤️🤍💙

✈️ Discover Normandy with the AF SF

Enjoy a week of French immersion through language, culture, gastronomy, and history, from Rouen to Mont Saint-Michel. This séjour with the Alliance Française de San Francisco includes French classes, cultural visits, workshops, Giverny, Caen, and the D-Day sites (Sept. 27 to Oct. 4).

If you are registering as part of the Alliance Française de Berkeley community, please make sure to mention it when signing up with the AF San Francisco ❤️🤍💙

More info: https://www.afsf.com/cultural-center/trip-to-normandy-2026/
Or at: [email protected]

🎻 Last seats available for this Friday’s Benefit Concert!

Join us for an intimate evening of chamber music with the acclaimed Cecilia String Quartet and the poetic elegance of Pavane pour une infante.

On the program:
Maurice Ravel — String Quartet in F major
Reynaldo Hahn — À Chloris for voice and strings

A rare opportunity to experience this prestigious ensemble in the warm setting of the AFB.

📍 Alliance Française de Berkeley
📅 Friday, May 29th, 2026
🕡 Doors open at 6:30 PM | Concert at 7 PM
💙 All net proceeds support the Alliance Française de Berkeley

Reserve your seat before it’s sold out! 🎟️
https://www.afberkeley.org/en/event-detail/?eventId=740

📚 New book review on our blog!

In "Des enfants uniques", de Tournemire tells the moving story of Hector and Luz, two young adults with disabilities who simply want to live their love like everyone else. Through their journey, the novel gently questions the limits imposed by family and society.

A sensitive and deeply human first novel.

👉 Read the review here:
https://www.afberkeley.org/en/des-enfants-uniques-gabrielle-de-tournemire/ #/

📖 Article in French
🔗 Also available in our bio section under Blog

🏀🇫🇷 From a video store in Amiens to the world of the NBA…

Le Rêve Américain / The American Dream tells the incredible true story of two outsiders who dared to dream big without money, connections, or even much English.

An uplifting, funny, and inspiring French film about ambition, friendship, and impossible odds.

🎬 Thursday, June 4th
📍 Marina Theater, San Francisco
🕖 7 PM
📖 French with English subtitles

🎟 Thanks to our partner , we have special codes for our community: write us at [email protected]

🎨 Watercolor Workshop – California Spring 🌼

Take a creative pause and join us for a watercolor workshop with artist Lucie Romano.

Inspired by the beauty of California in spring, this hands-on session will explore flowers, landscapes, and nature through watercolor. Whether you’re a beginner or already comfortable with painting, Lucie will guide you step by step in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

All materials are provided—just bring your curiosity and creativity. You’ll even leave with your own artwork to take home!

📍 Alliance Française de Berkeley, 20024 Woolsey Street
🗓️ June 6 | 10 AM – 12 PM |$50 for non-members | $45 for members

🎟️ Register here: https://afberkeley.org/en/event-detail/?eventId=747
or via the Events section in our bio. You can also subscribe to our cultural calendar in the bio to stay updated.

🗳️ Don’t forget to vote!

The Executive Committee Officers Elections are open until June 7th. This election appoints the 2026–2027 AFB Officers, who help guide the Alliance Française de Berkeley’s strategic and financial direction and support its ongoing mission.

Take a moment to discover the candidates and have your say in the future of our community 🇫🇷✨

To vote, you must be an active AFB member.

Thank you for supporting the AFB and helping shape the next chapter of our organization
❤️🤍💙

👉 https://vote.electionrunner.com/election/kTaP0