To kick off the fall season, FIAF invites you to the annual Fête de la Rentrée to enjoy a series of free events highlighting our educational and cultural programs.
FIAF’s Language Center will offer free trial French classes for adults and children—from toddlers to tweens—at multiple levels of experience. The children’s trial session will be 9:30am–1:15pm, and the adult session will be 2pm–4:45pm. After you’ve participated in a trial language class, unwind in our theater and see a free movie—Christophe Honoré’s family-friendly Sophie’s Misfortunes at 2pm, and Thomas Kruithof’s new film Promises, starring Isabelle Huppert, at 5:30pm. Make sure to stop in the FIAF Gallery to see a video installation by artist Julian Charrière, presented as part of FIAF’s Crossing The Line Festival. A mini-French pop-up market will take over the FIAF Skyroom from 9am–5pm and the FIAF Library will host a book fair from 10am–3pm. All events are free with entry on a first-come, first-served basis.
10% discounts will be offered on fall language classes and FIAF memberships from 9am–5pm.
Free Trial French Classes for Children
Ages 1-17
9:30am–1:15pm
FIAF Language Center, 6th floor
All Levels
In these free 30-minute lessons, children will learn French through fun, fall-season-inspired activities. These mini classes are a great way to get a taste of our year-round program for children.
Age 1 – 9:30am
Age 2-3 – 10:15am / 11am
Age 3-5 – 11:45am / 12:30pm
Grade K-1 – 10:30am
Grade 2-5 – 11:15am
Grade 6-8 – 12pm
Grade 9-12 – 12:45pm
Children will be grouped by level: beginner, advanced beginner, intermediate, and native French speaker. A parent or guardian must attend with toddlers ages 1-4.
To learn more about our fall courses and enroll with the 10% Open House discount, make sure to stop by the Language Center (3rd floor) between 9am-5pm. Free level assessment placement tests will be available.
Please Note: Free trial classes are only open to participants who have never taken a class at FIAF before.
RSVP NOWFree Trial French Classes for Adults
2pm: Shopping on the Champs Elysées
3pm: Dreaming of Your Next Trip to France
4pm: Flirting in French
FIAF Language Center, 5th floor
Beginner to Intermediate Levels
Take a free 45-minute French class with one of our outstanding teachers to experience our fully immersive French courses for yourself. You’ll learn essential words and phrases inspired by fun themes.
To learn more about our fall courses and enroll with the 10% Open House discount, make sure to stop by the Language Center (3rd floor) between 9am-5pm. Free level assessment placement tests will be available.
Please Note: Free trial classes are only open to participants who have never taken a class at FIAF before.
RSVP NOWFamily-Friendly Film Screening
2pm
FIAF Florence Gould Hall, 55 East 59th Street, NYC
Appropriate for all ages
Dir. Christophe Honoré, 2015, 105 min
In French with English subtitles
A mischievous young girl (Caroline Grant) placed in the care of a rigid stepmother (Muriel Robin) plots her escape in this delightful adaptation of the classic 19th-century French fable Les Malheurs de Sophie.
LEARN MORERSVP NOWU.S. Premiere Screening
5:30pm
FIAF Florence Gould Hall, 55 East 59th Street, NYC
Appropriate for all ages
Dir. Thomas Kruithof, 2021, 98 min
In French with English subtitles
The devoted longtime mayor of a Parisian suburb, Clémence (Isabelle Huppert) is near the end of her term when she is approached to become Minister. Her ignited ambition leads her to question the commitment to her citizens and whether power will come at the cost of her integrity.
LEARN MORERSVP NOWBook Fair & Library Open House
10am–3pm
FIAF Library, 2nd floor
Stop by our library for orientation tours, Culturethèque digital library demonstrations, and a book sale. Browse an extensive selection of French language materials, including contemporary novels, classic literature, history and travel books, language learning texts, children’s books, audio books and popular French magazines. All items are priced at $1.
Shopping bags will not be provided, so please bring your own bag.
Mini-French Market
9am–5pm
FIAF Skyroom, 8th floor
Stop by the mini-French market in the FIAF Skyroom for snacks and sweets, games for kids, French books, skincare, housewares, and more!
Participating vendors include:
Barachou • Chess at 3 • Délice Métisse • FFF Academy • France-Amérique • French Wink • JCH Respect • La Joie de Vivre • Lyceum Kennedy • Macaron Parlour • OCabanon • Payot • Petits Poussins Too • Pisatche NYC • Paul Bertin • Silpat
Julian Charrière: And Beneath It All Flows Liquid Fire
9am–5:30pm
FIAF Gallery, 1st floor
On view through October 13
Presented as part of FIAF’s Crossing The Line Festival, this video installation from French-Swiss artist Julian Charrière encapsulates his thoughts on tensions between modern societies and nature, in a powerful juxtaposition of opposing elements—water and fire.
Learn MoreSave 10% on Memberships and Fall Classes
9am–5pm
Come chat with our Membership Team (1st floor) to learn about all the exciting perks available to FIAF Members and join with a 10% discount.
Stop by the Language Center (3rd floor) to learn about our fall French courses, take free level assessment tests, and enroll with a 10% discount. Don’t forget: all classes come with a complimentary 1-year FIAF Membership.