WICE's "Café Littéraire: Savoring French Literature in English" offers a unique and enriching literary experience. We look for French literature that has won (or been nominated for) one of the six big French literary prizes, and that is available in English translation. The monthly discussions are in English.

"Café Littéraire" provides an opportunity to explore these masterpieces in the original French or in English translation. The works selected offer a window into French culture, history, and literary tradition, and allow members to immerse themselves in the eloquence and artistry of France's most esteemed authors.


The group normally meets on the 4th Friday of each month from 3:00 - 4:30 pm.

Note: Historically our book reading groups have been among the most popular activities in WICE, and available spaces often fill quickly. We reserve two places in this group each month for new WICE members. If no new members have signed up four days before the meeting, we will open these seats to all members.

If you would like more information or if you have questions, please email:

literature@wice-paris.org

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UPCOMING EVENTS

  • LN221 Café Littéraire: Bonjour Tristesse ("Hello Sadness"), by Françoise Sagan

    • 22 Nov 2024
    • 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
    • TBD
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    This coming-of-age classic was a sensation when it came out in 1954 and Françoise Sagan was just 18 years old.

    The novel takes place over the course of a summer in the south of France. Cécile, its 17-year-old narrator, spends languorous days at a secluded seaside villa in the company of her father, a philandering widower whom she adores and whose hedonism she emulates, and his latest mistress. When her father begins a more serious romance with an old acquaintance, Cécile does everything she can to stop him from marrying, with tragic results.

    Cécile’s own heady romance—breezy sex with an earnest boy whom she later drops—and her existentialist musings shocked early readers. Questions of freedom, responsibility and how to lead a meaningful life were central to French philosophical thought of the 1950s. The novella’s opening lament is classic Sagan, and probably defined French ennui for a generation: “A strange melancholy pervades me to which I hesitate to give the grave and beautiful name of sorrow."



    Ce classique du passage à l'âge adulte a fait sensation lors de sa sortie en 1954, alors que Françoise Sagan n'avait que 18 ans.

    Le roman se déroule au cours d'un été dans le sud de la France. Cécile, la narratrice âgée de 17 ans, passe des journées langoureuses dans une villa isolée au bord de la mer en compagnie de son père, un veuf volage qu'elle adore et dont elle imite l'hédonisme, et de sa dernière maîtresse. Lorsque son père entame une liaison plus sérieuse avec une vieille connaissance, Cécile fait tout ce qu'elle peut pour l'empêcher de se marier, avec des résultats tragiques.

    La propre romance enivrante de Cécile - des relations sexuelles sans lendemain avec un garçon sérieux qu'elle abandonnera par la suite - et ses réflexions existentialistes ont choqué les premières lectrices. Les questions de liberté, de responsabilité et de sens de la vie étaient au cœur de la pensée philosophique française des années 1950. La complainte qui ouvre la nouvelle est un classique de Sagan et a probablement défini l'ennui français pour une génération : « Une étrange mélancolie m'envahit, à laquelle j'hésite à donner le beau et grave nom de chagrin.

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  • LD201 Café Littéraire Book Group

    • 20 Dec 2024
    • 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
    • TBD
    • 8

    A book has not been chosen yet for the December meeting. It will, however,  be an award-winning book that was originally published in French and is available in English translation.

    The group discusses the book in English.

    The book group normally meets at the organizer's apartment in the 15th arrondissement, and the directions, door code, telephone number, etc., are sent following registration.

    Registration for the December meeting opens on 23 November.




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  • LJ241 Café Littéraire Book Group

    • 24 Jan 2025
    • 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
    • 6 rue Saint Louis en Île, 75004
    • 7

    A book has not been chosen yet for the January meeting. It will, however,  be an award-winning book that was originally published in French and is available in English translation.

    The group discusses the book in English.

    The book group normally meets at the organizer's apartment in the 15th arrondissement, and the directions, door code, telephone number, etc., are sent following registration.

    Registration for the December meeting opens on 21 December.




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  • LF281 Café Littéraire Book Group

    • 28 Feb 2025
    • 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
    • 6 rue Saint Louis en Île, 75004
    • 8

    A book has not been chosen yet for the February meeting. It will, however,  be an award-winning book that was originally published in French and is available in English translation.

    The group discusses the book in English.

    The book group normally meets at the organizer's apartment in the 15th arrondissement, and the directions, door code, telephone number, etc., are sent following registration.

    Registration for the February meeting opens on 25 January 2025




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  • LM281 Café Littéraire Book Group

    • 28 Mar 2025
    • 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
    • 6 rue Saint Louis en Île, 75004
    • 9

    A book has not been chosen yet for the March meeting. It will, however,  be an award-winning book that was originally published in French and is available in English translation.

    The group discusses the book in English.

    The book group normally meets at the organizer's apartment in the 15th arrondissement, and the directions, door code, telephone number, etc., are sent following registration.

    Registration for the March meeting opens on 28 February 2025.




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