WICE member Valerie Helmbreck-Mascitti (knitting on the left) opens her lovely apartment in the 1st arrondissement every Thursday afternoon to WICE members for an afternoon of needlework: knitting, crocheting, creweling, embroidery, etc..

Any and all WICE needle workers are welcome to attend. Bring your project, and if you're so inclined, something to nosh on (by no means necessary).

Valerie's apartment is conveniently located near the Louvre. For more information, contact Valerie directly at vhelmbreck@gmail.com.                

Friday In-Person French - English Conversation Group

Looking for a relaxed and welcoming place to practice and improve your French or English? WICE conversation groups allow you to practice your language skills in an easy, convivial atmosphere with native speakers.

The Friday group meets upstairs at the Le Nelsons, near Les Halles, from 15:00 - 16:30. Participants are divided into small groups of 5 - 6 people, and the conversations are 45 minutes in French and 45 minutes in English. The subjects are of  the group’s choosing. Though an intermediate level of English and French is expected, there is a wide range of abilities.

There is no need to register, just show up and look for the WICE tables upstairs.

Le Nelsons, 16 Rue Coquillière, 75001. Metro lines 1/4/7/11/14, RER A, B, D, and buses 74, 85

Participation is free with WICE membership.

Friday Online French - English Conversation Group

There is no better way to practice your foreign language than by conversing with native speakers, and WICE can help you do just that.

We meet online (Zoom) every Friday evening (Paris time). Participants are divided into small groups of 5-6 members. We converse 45 minutes in French and 45 minutes in English. Conversations are free-form and address topics of interest to the individual group members.

The group is open to WICE members at all language levels. However, to get the most out of the conversations, an intermediate level in both languages is helpful. 

Participation is free for WICE members.

To participate, contact Mike Franks at: mike.franks@wice-paris.org

Course Description

This course is designed for post-bonjour beginners, either for first-time learners or those who want to refresh their French at a basic level.

Throughout the course students will acquire the essential French skills (writing, speaking, pronunciation) needed to function in everyday-life situations.

Each class will take place in a lively and friendly atmosphere that encourages students' enjoyment and active participation. Along with  linguistic exercises, references to French culture and gastronomy will also be presented.

The course meets twice a week for 90 minutes (a total of 3 hrs/week) and is conducted in French. When necessary, supplementary explanations may be given in English.

Mondays we meet in person in a private classroom at Impact Café, 67 rue Beaubourg, 75003 Paris; Thursdays on Zoom. Class will not meet te 20th and 23rd of October during the second week of vacances scolaires. 

Contact Languages@wice-paris.org with any questions

About the instructor

Nathalie Allain is a native French speaker with a master’s degree in FLE (French as a foreign language) who is also fluent in English, German, and Japanese. To future students, she says: “In addition to textbooks, I like to make French come alive by using the language to discover the culture and history of Paris in one field trip each month.”

 
Contact Languages@wice-paris.org with any questions.

 

Course Description

This lively French course will improve your ability to deal with an array of everyday life situations in French. This level is for students who understand simple, straightforward information and can express themselves in familiar contexts and take part in an everyday conversation on simple, predictable topics.

Using interactive methods to ensure learner engagement and lasting progress, the course will help you develop your vocabulary, oral and written expression, comprehension, and pronunciation.

Geared for learners with an intermediate knowledge of French, the 90-minute class will be held in French, twice a week for a total of 3 hours per week.

The class will not meet on the following dates: 27 and 30 October (vacances scolaires).
Contact Languages@wice-paris.org with any questions.

About the Instructor

Audrey Charmont has a Masters in Marketing and Communications as well as a DAEFLE (French as a Foreign Language). She has years of French teaching experience in France and abroad.

Tuesday In-Person French - English Conversation Group

Looking for a relaxed and welcoming place to practice and improve your French or English? WICE conversation groups allow you to practice your language skills in an easy, convivial atmosphere with native speakers.

The Tuesday group meets at the Maison Communale, 69 rue Violet , 75015 Paris from 15:00 - 16:30. Participants are divided into small groups of 5 - 6 people, and the conversations are 45 minutes in French and 45 minutes in English. The subjects are of  the group’s choosing. Though an intermediate level of English and French is expected, there is a wide range of abilities.

There is no need to register, but if it is your first time to participate in person in Tuesday's group, please contact Christian Paolasso at c.paolas@laposte.net (primary), or Ellen Bryson at ellen.bryson@wice-paris.org  (secondary) and let one of them know you are planning to come.

Maison Communale, 69 rue Violet , 75015 Paris. Metro line 8 stop Commerce, and buses #42, #70, #88.

Participation is free with WICE membership.

Tuesday Online French - English Conversation Group

There is no better way to practice your foreign language than by conversing with native speakers, and WICE can help you do just that.

We meet online (Zoom) every Tuesday. Participants are divided into small groups of 5-6 members. We converse 45 minutes in French and 45 minutes in English. Conversations are free-form and address topics of interest to the individual group members.

The group is open to WICE members at all language levels. However, to get the most out of the conversations, an intermediate level in both languages is helpful. 

Participation is free for WICE members.

To participate, contact Mike Franks at: mike.franks@wice-paris.org

Course Description

This English Guided Discussion Group is open to people who have a strong intermediate or advanced level of English. Our group leaders suggest interesting topics and readings prior to each group discussion. If you enjoy reading, speaking, presenting, and engaging in diverse topic-centered discussions, this group is for you. In addition to learning and developing through guided conversation with other participants, you will also have the opportunity to get personalized constructive feedback. The group speaks only in English for one
hour.

The class will not meet on 30 October (second week of vacances scolaires) or 27 November (Thanksgiving). 

Note: A Zoom link will be provided the day before the
course begins. Be sure to check your email for it.

Contact languages@wice-paris.org with any questions.

Ce groupe de discussion guidée anglaise est ouvert aux personnes qui parlent anglais presque couramment (niveaux intermédiaire-avancé ou avancé). Nos animateurs proposent des sujets intéressants et des textes avant chaque groupe. Si vous appréciez la lecture, la communication, la présentation et la participation à des discussions
diverses, ce groupe est pour vous. En plus d’apprendre et se développer à travers des discussions guidées avec d'autres participants, vous aurez également la possibilité d'obtenir des
commentaires constructifs. Ce groupe de discussion guidée est un endroit idéal pour rencontrer d’autres passionnés de la langue anglais. Le groupe ne parle qu’anglais pendant une heure.

Facilitators

The group will be led by several native English speakers of varying interests and backgrounds.

Course Description

This French Guided Discussion Group is open to people who have a strong intermediate or advanced level of French. Group leaders provide participants with engaging weekly readings on a wide range of topics prior to each dynamic and fast-paced seminar. If you enjoy reading, speaking, presenting, and engaging in varied, topic-centered discussions, this group is for you. In addition to learning through focused conversation with other participants, you will also have the opportunity to get personalized constructive feedback. The French Guided Discussion group speaks only in French for 90 minutes which gives participants an excellent space to practice.

Classes do not meet during the two weeks of vacances scolaires: 18 October - 3 November.
A Zoom link will be provided the day before the course begins. Be sure to check your email for it
Contact Languages@wice-paris.org with any questions

About the Instructors

Brice Dardel and Brigitte Le Quéré, both native French speakers with extensive experience leading discussions, alternate weekly sessions.

Course Description

This dynamic course will fine tune your abilities in an array of everyday life situations in French. Students at this level have the ability to express themselves on a range of topics. They are comfortable in most situations and have a strong vocabulary with few mistakes. Using interactive methods to ensure learner engagement and lasting progress, the course will facilitate your progress in vocabulary development, oral and written expression, comprehension, and pronunciation. Geared for learners with prior advanced-intermediate French, this course will be held in French once a week for 90 minutes. 

This class will not meet during the second week of school vacation: 24 October. Contact languages@wice-paris.org with any questions. 

About the Instructor

Audrey Charmont has a Masters in Marketing and Communications as well as a DAEFLE (French as a Foreign Language). She has French teaching experience in France and abroad.

Course Description

This dynamic course will fine tune your abilities in an array of everyday life situations in French. Students at this level have the ability to express themselves on a range of topics. They are comfortable in most situations and have a strong vocabulary with few mistakes. Using interactive methods to ensure learner engagement and lasting progress, the course will facilitate your progress in vocabulary development, oral and written expression, comprehension, and pronunciation. Geared for learners with prior advanced-intermediate French, this course will be held in French once a week for 90 minutes.

This course will not meet during the second week of vacances scolaires: 24 October.

Please contact languages@wice-Paris.org with any questions.

About the Instructor

Audrey Charmont has a Masters in Marketing and Communications as well as a DAEFLE (French as a Foreign Language). She has French teaching experience in France and abroad.

Bones of Storytelling

Course Description

Bones of Storytelling is a fun "thinking/practicing” series for writers of fiction (novel/short story) and creative non-fiction (memoir/essay). It draws from literature and classic storytelling models, as well as screenwriting.

Structure

Classes are organized in a progressive manner and are divided into two parts. Part 1: Pre-watch video teaching/assignment, and Part 2: Join the online meeting to debrief. Total investment of time: about ninety minutes prior, and then a two-hour on-line meeting.

Expanded explanation

Once you sign up, you are guided to a site page with the recordings and are asked to watch the first teaching. At the end of the video, you are given an assignment and instructed to bring that assignment to the class for debrief. You will then share your experience with a fellow writer and the class, and you will be given support information when needed. It is the same formula each week.

Outcome

You will walk away with a comprehensive plan for either a work in progress(a revision plan) or an idea you’ve been considering (draft plan). You will also discover crossover opportunities in creative writing. A lived experience doesn’t always have to be a memoir but can be shifted into fiction. A fictional idea, often born from a lived experience, might find its best expression in memoir.

This class is on ZOOM.

About the Instructor

With degrees in journalism and creative writing, Jennifer Lauck is the New York Times and London Times bestselling writer of the memoirs Blackbird, Still Waters, Found and The Summer of ’72.

She has also published a series of interlocking essays in the collection titled Show Me the Way and has had essays published in several anthology collections, including Knitting Yarns. She teaches creative writing in the US and abroad.

• https://blackbirdstudiopdx.com/
• https://jenniferlauck.substack.com/

COURSE DESCRIPTION: For this advanced French course, you will watch a film at home (available on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Canal Plus, Orange, YouTube and other platforms) before a lively and engaging discussion in class. Each month a new film provides a basis for an immersive lesson with authentic spoken language and cultural reference points. If you love movies, there’s no more enjoyable way to increase vocabulary, improve conversational skills, and deepen your understanding of French cinema and culture. 

Each discussion will focus on analyzing the film from different angles:

• Creation; production; and reception, both critical and commercial
• Screenplay, direction, and artistic collaborations such as script, cinematography, acting, and music
• Specific features in the director's filmography and its place in the French cinema of his/her era.

Fall trimester films

Ce trimestre, nous discuterons de trois films de Claude Chabrol (1930-2010) est à la fois un cinéaste célèbre et méconnu. Il fut jusqu’à sa mort en 2010, un personnage public, se façonnant un portrait de bon vivant gourmand, joyeux et sarcastique. Il a attiré dans les salles de cinéma françaises environ 50 millions de spectateurs, ce qui est le cas de très peu de cinéastes français. Auteur d’une œuvre prolifique - 57 films, 23 téléfilms- Chabrol a filmé la France et la société - avec un prisme principal, la bourgeoisie – comme aucun autre.

Comment choisir 3 films seulement dans cette œuvre immense qui parcourt cinq décennies ?  A travers trois thèmes : le couple et ses mensonges (La femme infidèle),  la vengeance et la culpabilité (Que la bête meure),  la morale  et la loi sous la France des années noires d’occupation (Une affaires de femmes).

La femme infidèle

France, Italie I 1968 I 1h38
Avec Stéphane Audran, Michel Bouquet, Maurice Ronet

Lorsqu’il découvre que sa femme le trompe, Charles décide de tuer son amant.

Que la bête meure

France, Italie I 1969 I 1h53, d’après le roman de Nicholas Blake

Avec Jean Yanne, Michel Duchaussoy, Caroline Cellier, Maurice Pialat

Pour venger la mort de son fils, tué par un chauffard, un homme se lance sur la piste du coupable.

Une affaire de femmes

France I 1988 I 1h43, d’après Francis Szpiner

Avec Isabelle Huppert, François Cluzet, Marie Trintignant

L’occupation. La province. La pluie, la guerre, le froid. Marie Latour vit avec ses deux enfants dans la pauvreté. Un jour, par sympathie pour une voisine, elle l’aide à avorter. Grâce à ses pratiques, elle parvient à vivre dans l’aisance. Condamnée pour l’exemple, elle est guillotinée en juillet 1942.

• ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: A graduate of Sciences Po Paris and ESCP Business School with a master's in political philosophy, Pascale Borenstein co-founded the first professional training course for screenwriters, the Conservatoire Européen d'Ecriture Audiovisuelle (CEEA), which she subsequently directed. From 2004 to 2017, she was Director of International Relations and Continuing Education at France's national film school, La Fémis, where she collaborated with the film departments at NYU, Columbia University, and Calarts. Pascale is the co-author of "Histoire de films français" published by Bordas and a lecturer at l'ICART (École du Management Culturel & Marché de l'Art).

Course Description

Discover and discuss masterpieces of American cinema in this class for intermediate and advanced English speakers. You’ll watch a film at home on streaming, or borrow the DVD from your local library, before a lively and engaging discussion in class. You’ll be assigned one scene to watch at least three times! Every month you’ll view a film from an influential director so you’ll come to know the stylistic hallmarks of favorite genres and filmmakers.

If you love the movies, this course is an enjoyable way to increase vocabulary, get comfortable with idiomatic expressions, improve your conversational skills, and deepen your understanding of American culture and cinema.

Films for the Autumn 2025 trimester:

We know all about the (male) “Buddy Films” in the United States—just think of the adventures of two men in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. But where are the woman buddy films? This trimester, we'll be discussing three films about women friendships.

Girlfriends, 1978, by Claudia Weill, with Melanie Mayron (Susan Weinblatt), Anita Skinner (Anne Munroe), and Eli Wallach (Rabbi Gold). Girlfriends was a ground-breaking, influential independent film, made in in New York City in the early years of second wave feminism. It shows a complicated friendship in the context of its time, with twists and turns and ups and downs. The film is described by one critic as “intelligently written and beautifully acted,  [capturing] the rhythms of female friendship -- and late '70s New York -- with a deftly assured hand.”  It can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV, among others. 

Tootsie, 1982, by Sidney Pollack, with Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange, and Teri Garr.

A chronically unemployed actor finally hits it big when he presents himself as a woman... but his personal life quickly gets out of hand. 

Thelma and Louise, 1991, by Ridley Scott, with Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Harvey Keitel, and Brad Pitt.

Two friends set out for a weekend road trip which leads them into complex and unforeseen circumstances. A commercially and critically successful film that, deservedly or not, became a feminist classic

About the instructor:

Ellen Feldman grew up in Philadelphia and currently lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She holds a Ph.D. in cinema studies from New York University and has taught film studies at the State University of New York, Geneseo campus, and Brooklyn College.

Note: The registration limit for this event has been reached. Please put your name on the waitlist and you will be notified is a seat opens.

Come enjoy a lively lunch with fellow WICE members. Catch up with old friends and meet new ones over a fun and leisurely meal in a charming café in the Latin Quarter.

We normally stand, mingle, and chat for 30 - 45 minutes, and then sit down to eat at about 12:30 or 12:45. So please plan accordingly.

You pay for what you eat and drink, no extra fees, but registration is required.

Served by metro line 10 (Sorbonne-Cluny), metro line 4 (Saint Michel), and busses 21, 27, 38, 63, 86, 87, and 96.

Registration opens on Friday, 07 November.

In the stark interior of Alaska’s Park lands, a young ranger vanishes without trace. His disappearance might be shrugged off as misadventure in unforgiving country—until a second man, the son of a powerful Washington insider, goes missing while searching for him. The FBI descends, but with little sense of the land or its people, they turn to a local guide: Kate Shugak, an Aleut investigator recently resigned from the District Attorney’s office.

Kate is reluctant, scarred both literally and emotionally from a case gone wrong, but her knowledge of the terrain—and the tight-lipped communities who live on it—makes her indispensable. As she tracks the trail of the missing men across snowbound villages and treacherous mountains, she uncovers layers of silence, loyalty, and old resentments.

Stabenow’s novel launches her long-running series with a blend of rugged landscape and equally rugged characters. Through Kate’s eyes, Alaska is not a picturesque backdrop but a crucible where survival, justice, and belonging intertwine. A Cold Day for Murder introduces a heroine whose resilience is matched only by the unforgiving beauty of the land she calls home.

Registration opens on Saturday, 08 November.

Two spaces are reserved for new WICE members. If no new WICE members have registered before 29 November, those two spaces will become available to the general WICE membership.

Step back in time and explore the charm of Paris’s 19th-century covered passages through the lens of your camera or smartphone. This street photography workshop invites you to discover the hidden beauty, light, and architectural elegance of these historic arcades— some of the city's most photogenic and atmospheric locations.

Whether you're shooting with a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or simply your phone, this class will help you develop your eye for detail, composition, and storytelling in these unique indoor-outdoor spaces.

What to Expect:

• Visual storytelling in historic settings. Learn how to capture the character and atmosphere of these iconic Parisian arcades—from reflections in glass storefronts to shadow play and bustling café scenes.

• Shooting techniques for all devices. Get hands-on tips whether you’re using a camera or a smartphone, with guidance tailored to your gear.

• Practical street photography skills. Improve your ability to shoot in varied lighting conditions, compose dynamic images, and photograph respectfully in public indoor spaces.

• Personalized feedback and group exchange. Share your work and receive insightful feedback in a friendly, creative environment.

____

The class begins with a brief photography lesson at a cozy café*, followed by a guided exploration of the area with photography assignments. The tutor will be available to answer all your questions throughout the session.

At the end we will have a friendly feedback session, where we will review and analyze your images, providing suggestions for improvement.

*Please note: Personal costs at the café are not covered.

Requirements:

- Suitable for photography and art lovers of all levels.

- Suitable for all kinds of digital cameras and smart phones.

About the Instructor

Juan Manuel Abellán is a professional fine art photographer and photography tutor based in Paris since 2007. He graduated in Advertising and Visual Arts and holds a Master in Art, Philosophy and Aesthetics, specializing in Photography and Contemporary Art. He has worked with the agency Magnum Photo and exhibited his work in several exhibitions, including the Centre Georges Pompidou, Festival Circulation(s) and Made Anywhere (Fondation Fiminco). Passionate about photography, Juan Manuel works as a freelance photographer specializing in portrait, reportage and fine art photography. He also leads photography adventure tours around the world.

www.juanmanuelabellan.com 

https://www.instagram.com/juanmanuelabellan/

Photo Credits

Juan Manuel Abellán

Join fellow WICE members for morning coffee at Le Sarah Bernhardt, hosted by WICE members Caroline Harvey and Rick Jones.

Open to all WICE members, but registration is required. This is a public restaurant, and anyone can go, but WICE reserves 10 seats together, and if you don't register you may not be able to sit with us.

Registration for this event opens on Sunday, 16 November.

Also, it is expected that all attendees will purchase at least one beverage or other item appropriate for sitting around a café.

Le Sarah Bernhardt is located at 2 Place du Châtelet. It can be reached by metro lines 1, 4, 7, 11, and 14 (Châtelet, Secteur Seine, Sortie 17),  and buses 38, 67, 69, and 72.

Note: The registration limit for this event has been reached. Please put your name of the waitlist and you will be contacted if a spot opens.

This is the 3rd of 3 walks that aims to traverse (on foot) all 33 of the bridges that cross the Seine River in Paris.

Starting at Pont Royale, and walking our way west, during this walk we will cross the last 11 remaining historic bridges that connect both sides of the Seine inside the boundaries of Paris. At each bridge, the organizer will discuss a bit about the history of that bridge:

• Pont Royal
• Passerelle Léopold-Sédar-Senghor
• Pont de la Concorde
• Pont Alexandre III
• Pont des Invalides
• Pont de l'Alma
• Passerelle Debilly
• Pont d'Iéna
• Pont de Bir-Hakeim
• Pont de Grenelle
• Pont Mirabeau

There is no charge for this walk, although registration is required.

Registration for this walk opens on Sunday, 26 October.

About the Organizer

Rick Jones is an avid walker and the founding member of the Paris Flâneur and Boulevardier Society. He is a part-time WICE walk leader.

A fun and funky yoga session during which we will tell the Christmas story through the 12 Vinyasa yoga poses of Christmas, followed by a delicious brunch, all to take place in the private salon of award winning pastry chef Sébastien Gaudard (32€ to be paid for brunch directly at the venue). 

Feel free to dress up in Christmas colours!

The total cost of this event is 17€ for the yoga class and 32€ for brunch.

Beth Jervis is a certified Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Yin and Yin resonance teacher. She runs the Imperfect Yoga Brunch club in Paris and regularly runs retreats in Paris around France and abroad in lovely places. Imperfect = Im perfect, right here, just as I am, and so are you!

Beth believes in pedagogy and intelligent class sequencing, diving deep into the self, but also diving back out again and enjoying good food, indulging and social time with others.

In the grand tradition of pub quizzes across the anglophone world, join a team of fellow WICE members for a bilingual evening of trivial merriment. On a bi-monthly basis, WICE has reserved space with Paris Quiz Mistress to participate in a quiz night that consists of four rounds of trivia in English and French on a wide variety of topics, movies and TV, pop culture, geography, fashion, and anything strange and peculiar that comes through the mind of the Quiz Mistress Host.

This is not a WICE-exclusive event. We have reserved spaces for two teams of 5 (the maximum number of participants per team). There are prizes to win for the top teams and the best team name. A WICE volunteer will be at each event to help you identify our group.Please note that the quiz location changes depending on the night of the week, so please pay attention when registering to make sure you are going to the correct pub.

This event is free for members, but registration and the purchase of food or a beverage is required.

Join fellow WICE members for coffee on Tuesday mornings. And, if the weather permits, perhaps a walk through the Luxembourg Gardens afterwards.

Members meet at Brasserie le Bullier, named after the famous ball located opposite the "Port Royal" station, to which the whole of Paris once flocked.

Offering a beautiful interior and exterior space, where everyone's privacy is preserved, Le Bullier gives each guest the feeling of the warmth of a Parisian salon and the decor of the Brasseries of yesteryear.

WICE member Brise Rickey, who has lived in the neighborhood a few years, hosts the Tuesday morning coffees twice a month. It's a great opportunity to hang out with fellow WICE members, make new friends, and enjoy those special experiences unique to Paris.

Open to all WICE members, but registration is required. This is a public restaurant, and anyone can go, but WICE reserves 14 seats together, and if you don't register you may not be able to sit with us.

Registration opens on Wednesday, 26 November  2025.

Brasserie le Bullier is located at 22 Av. de l'Observatoire, 75014. It can be reached by RER B (Port Royal), metro lines 4 and 6 (Raspail), and busses 38, 82, 91.

In this calming and creative workshop, we’ll explore the art of modern calligraphy using dip pens, ink, and beautiful papers. Whether you're a complete beginner or simply curious, this session is designed to help you slow down, enjoy the rhythm of lettering, and discover your own style. We'll go over basic strokes, letterforms, and techniques, and you’ll have time to practice and create a final piece—like a handwritten holiday card or personal motto. It’s a mindful, hands-on experience that leaves you with both skills and something beautiful to take home.

Course materials provided. Optional take-home calligraphy kit (nib, nib holder, ink, practice sheets, and specialty paper): €30 per person (payable to instructor in cash). Please email programs@wice-paris.org at least one week before the course date in order to secure your take-home kit.

About the Instructor

Sonja Bajic is a Paris-based mapmaker, illustrator, and designer with over a decade of experience creating hand-drawn maps for books, brands, and individuals around the world. Her work has been featured by institutions like Hermès and Michelin Guide and she regularly teaches the art of mapmaking to both children and adults.

Note: This course is open to non-WICE members at the slightly higher fee of 70€. This will include a 3-month membership to WICE. To register, please write to wice@wice-paris.org

Have you ever dreamed of exploring the rolling hills of Bordeaux, the historic cellars of Burgundy, or the sun-drenched valleys of the Rhône? Now you can, all from the comfort of our tasting room.

Announcing our new event: The 'Tour de France' Wine Tasting Experience.

This is not just another tasting; it's a sensory journey designed to transport you straight to the heart of French wine culture. Forget the lycra and the steep climbs—our "Tour" is all about discovery, pleasure, and the joy of the glass. We will guide you, sip by sip, on a route that winds through France's most iconic and celebrated wine regions.

On this unforgettable journey, you will:

Discover a World of Wine: Taste a curated selection of exceptional red, white, and rosé wines. From the crisp wines of the Loire Valley to the deep, complex wines of the Rhône, you’ll experience the incredible diversity that makes French wine the global benchmark for quality.

Learn to Taste Like a Professional: Go beyond just "drinking" wine. We will guide you through the professional techniques of tasting—how to properly see, smell, and sip to unlock the complex layers of aroma and flavor in every glass.

Decode the French Label: Ever felt mystified by a French wine label? We’ll demystify it all. You'll learn how to read and understand the "Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée" (AOC) system, what terms like Cru, Château, and Domaine really mean, and how to confidently select your next bottle of French wine from any shelf.

Explore Legendary Terroirs: Understand why a wine tastes the way it does. We’ll discuss the unique terroir—the combination of soil, climate, and tradition—that gives each region its unmistakable character.

This event is perfect for everyone, from the curious beginner eager to learn the basics to the seasoned wine lover looking to deepen their appreciation for France's classics.

Come join us, raise a glass, and let your palate take the tour of a lifetime.

Price: €65 for WICE members, €75 for non-WICE members. 

About the Instructors:

A native of Bordeaux, Elisabeth started her career in the wine business for Bordeaux wine merchants, where she developed her knowledge and love of wine.

She earned her WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) diploma and started her own business in Paris in 2011. She leads tasting classes and training for WSET in wines (Levels 2 and 3), as well as in spirits (Levels 1 and 2). In 2012 she was certified as a Cognac Educator for the BNIC (National Office of Cognac), and in 2017 she was certified as a Bordeaux wine educator for the Bordeaux Wine School. She currently works all over France in the area of wine and spirit education.

Elisabeth will be supported by Felicity Pritchard-Witts, who some may know from her Development role at WICE. Felicity passed her WSET Level 3 in wines in June 2024 and is now studying for her French Scholar qualification. 

Further information: Due to the upfront costs of the event, Payment is required on booking to secure your spot. 

Please note: refunds are available up to two weeks in advance of the event. After that period e.g. Wednesday 26th November, refunds are still available but only if your spot can be replaced by someone on the waiting list. 

WICE men . . . join us for a pay-for-your-own men's lunch!

This is nothing mysterious, it's just a chance for guys to hang out with other guys for a few hours and discover common interests and such over good food and beverages.

We meet at Au Trappiste, a Parisian brasserie located in Châtelet that offers 120 bottled beers and 20 draught beers, and specializes in mussels and chips and sauerkraut. A different pastry every day and Flemish carbonade to try!

Registration opens on Friday, 14 November.

Can you imagine a life where your mind is a source of peace and strength, where calmness flows through you like a gentle river even amidst daily challenges? What if you had the power to observe your thoughts without judgement, steady your emotions, and tap into a deeper well of wisdom within yourself? What if you could have moments of freedom between the triggering events of your life and your responses to them, moments of choice?

The pressure of daily life can leave us feeling overwhelmed and trapped, with no space for movement or reflection. Meditation offers us a more spacious life, an opportunity to descend to a more profound and rich experience of our lives and our relationships with ourselves, others and the world we inhabit.  In terms of daily life and routine activities, regular practice can help the body regulate itself more effectively. It can help with getting a more relaxed and sound sleep or decreasing the severity and/or frequency of migraine headaches. It’s a pathtoward mental clarity, emotional resilience, and enriched creativity.

WICE members can join us for a biweekly hour of meditation practices. One variety is Vipassana,  a mindfulness practice focusing on direct nonjudgmental observation of body and mind in order to cultivate greater awareness and ease. Others include heart practices such as generation of lovingkindness, compassion and equanimity. These  practices are available as non-sectarian techniques, open to anyone seeking to understand their mind and body. 

We’ll meet for about an hour on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month.  We’ll start with a few minutes of self-introduction, then some guided meditation, followed by a period of silence, then finishing with some final minutes of conversational reflection. Whatever level you are, beginner to advanced, you are welcome! Hosted by Lori Zeller and Cheryl Purvis, who have been meditating on and off for a total of over 70 years between the two of us, all the while taking classes, joining groups and going to retreats.

Event Description

In this novel (pardon the pun) offering, WICE attendees will read Jeanette Winterson’s 1987 novel “The Passion,” and then tour the Louvre examining and discussing different paintings that relate to the novel’s plot, themes, characters, events, and locations.

“The Passion” is described on Amazon as “Set during the tumultuous years of the Napoleonic Wars, The Passion intertwines the destinies of two remarkable people: Henri, a simple French soldier, who follows Napoleon from glory to Russian ruin; and Villanelle, the red-haired, web-footed daughter of a Venetian boatman, whose husband has gambled away her heart. In Venice's compound of carnival, chance, and darkness, the pair meet their singular destiny.”

The exact meeting place and other details will be in the 7-day and 1-day reminder emails. The event is expected to last approximately three hours, including time for coffee or drinks afterwards to socialize.

Note: Attendees are expected to have read the book, and to buy their own tickets to the Louvre. 

About the Guides

Lili Varga and Theodor Cozart-Madsen are both interning at WICE this autumn in the Literature Program.