We Recommend
Cézanne at the Whitworth
Sat 24 Aug - Sun 1 Mar
The Witworth
This exhibition celebrates an extraordinary collection of drawings and prints by Paul Cézanne that has been gifted and placed on long-term loan to the Whitworth by gallerist, collector, author and publisher Karsten Schubert.
Visual Arts
Bloomberg New Contemporaries 2019
Sat 14 Sept - Sun 23 Feb
Various Venues
Since 1949, BNC has consistently supported contemporary visual artists to successfully transition from education into professional practice, by means of an annual touring exhibition, featuring French artist Camille Yvert. Supported by Fluxus Art Projects.
Visual Arts
Henri Matisse, Master of Line
Wed 18 Sept - Sun 5 Jan
The Holburne Museum, Bath
One of the undisputed masters of 20th century art, Henri Matisse (1869–1954) is renowned for the exquisite delicacy of his drawn line as much as for the intense brilliance of his colour.
Visual Arts
Peggy Guggenheim and London
Tue 24 Sept - Sat 14 Dec
Ordovas Gallery
Intended as an anniversary celebration of Guggenheim as one of the first female gallerists in London this exhibition showcases her parallel collecting interests in Abstraction and Surrealism through a display of works by Jean (Hans) Arp and Yves Tanguy.
Visual Arts
French Politics: A Neighbour’s History of the Present
Thu 26 Sept - Tue 30 Jun
University of Westminster
This series of seminars is designed with the Foucauldian notion of “history of the present” in mind and will tackle some of the most pressing challenges of French politics and political theory today.
Talks
TV5MONDE
Mon 30 - Wed 30 Sept
For the love of culture, in French
Anyone in the UK can now enjoy TV5MONDE streamed live 24/7 in HD. From prime time films, hit drama series premieres, documentaries, travel, cuisine and kids programmes and news throughout the day, just click and watch for free.
Films & TV
This Poison Will Remain by Fred Vargas
Wed 2 Oct - Thu 2 Jan
Harvill Secker
After three elderly men are bitten by spiders, everyone assumes that their deaths are tragic accidents. But at police headquarters in Paris, Inspector Adamsberg begins to suspect that the case is far more complex than first appears.
Books
Reconstructing Cézanne
Wed 2 Oct - Sat 7 Dec
Luxembourg and Dayan Gallery, London
The exhibition brings to light new, ground-breaking research into the work of one of Modernism's greatest masters, based on close examination of the DNA makeup that constitutes the papers he used for his watercolours and drawings.
Visual Arts
This Tilting World by Colette Fellous
Thu 3 Oct - Fri 3 Jan
Les Fugitives
On the night following the terrorist attack that killed eighty-three tourists on the beach at Sousse, a woman sits facing the sea and writes a complicated love letter to her homeland, Tunisia.
Books
Into the Night – Cabarets & Clubs in Modern Art
Fri 4 Oct - Sun 19 Jan
Barbican
Spanning the 1880s to the 1960s, this landmark exhibition explores the electrifying history of cabarets, cafés and clubs in modern art across the world, from London to Paris, New York, Berlin, Mexico City or Vienna, through the lens of pioneering artists.
Visual Arts
The Credit Suisse Exhibition: Gauguin Portraits
Mon 7 Oct - Sun 26 Jan
The National Gallery
The first ever exhibition devoted to the portraits of Paul Gauguin. Spanning the later years of his life and focusing solely on his portraits, this exhibition follows Gauguin’s move away from Impressionism towards Symbolism.
Visual Arts
Sleep of Memory by Patrick Modiano
Wed 9 Oct - Thu 9 Jan
Yale University Press
The narrator relives a key period in his life through his relationships with several enigmatic women, unearthing his relationship with his parents, his unorthodox childhood, and the unsettled years of his youth. Translated by Mark Polizzotti.
Books
L’Histoire des relations de l’Angleterre avec l’Europe
Wed 16 Oct - Mon 20 Apr
Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle
En menant l’inventaire des relations des Britanniques avec le continent Européen de l’Antiquité à nos jours, ce cycle de conférences assurées par d'éminents universitaires vous invite à mieux comprendre la période actuelle !
Talks
A Voyage to the Moon by Cyrano de Bergerac
Wed 16 Oct - Sat 16 Nov
Alma Books
Published posthumously and intended mainly as a satire of its age, this imaginative and entertaining tale – here presented in a lively translation by Andrew Brown – is now considered one of the pioneering works of science fiction.
Books
London: We need EU! – European Contemporary Music in London
Mon 28 Oct - Fri 22 Nov
London Venues
Alongside works by well-known composers such as Luciano Berio, pieces by international composers and new works commissioned to young composers will be performed by the Ret Frem Ensemble and celebrate European contemporary music in London. Supported by Diaphonique
Classical Music
Guantánamo Kid: The true story of Mohammed El-Gharani
Tue 29 Oct - Fri 29 Nov
SelfMadeHero
In this landmark work of graphic non-fiction, Jérôme Tubiana and Alexandre Franc tell the eye-opening, heart-wrenching story of one of the Bay’s youngest detainees.
Books
Artificialis
Sat 2 Nov - Sat 2 May
Saatchi Gallery
French artist Cyril de Commarque presents a multi-media installation drawing from the Anthropocene era – the period when man first had an impact on Earth’s geology and ecosystems – then meditating on the effect technology and scientific advancement will have on humankind and the environment.
Visual Arts
What’s in a Name?
Tue 12 - Sat 16 Nov
Richmond Theatre
This comic masterpiece is adapted by British theatre director, writer and translator Jeremy Sams from award-winning French film and stage sensation Le Prénom, this international smash hit has played over 30 countries and is now on its first ever UK tour. Quote WIAN10 when booking for a 10% discount.
Performing Arts
Le Miroir aux Alouettes by Le Collectif OSPAS
Wed 13 Nov
The Cockpit
Voila! Europe Theatre Festival presents Le Miroir aux Alouettes where biopic and forensic improvisation combine to explore the mass murder-suicide known as the Jonestown Massacre. Test your resistance to fake news in this interactive experience.
Performing Arts
A Letter to a Friend in Gaza
Mon 18 - Sat 23 Nov
The Coronet Theatre
When today’s current events become our children’s history lessons, how will they view our actions? In filmmaker Amos Gitai’s multimedia performance, four actors - 2 Palestinian and 2 Israeli - address the foundations of the conflict at the Israel-Gaza border.
Performing Arts
Chassol
Tue 19 Nov
Southbank Centre
The pianist, composer and arranger specialises in ‘ultrascores’ —performances fusing and harmonising stunning visuals and rhythmic motifs. Having worked with Solange and Frank Ocean, he's back for the EFG London Jazz festival with new project LUDI.
Contemporary Music
Souad Massi & Tiwayo
Tue 19 - Wed 20 Nov
Jazz Café
The Algerian Berber singer-songwriter is back in London for two nights. Combining folk rock rhythms with activism and a golden voice, Massi has been a leading light for young Algerian musicians. She'll be supported by soulful Parisian newcomer Tiwayo.
Contemporary Music
Dora Maar
Wed 20 Nov - Sun 15 Mar
Tate Modern
The largest retrospective of Dora Maar ever held in the UK. During the 1930s, Maar’s provocative photomontages became celebrated icons of surrealism. This exhibition will explore the breadth of Maar's long career in the context of work by her contemporaries.
Visual Arts
The 2019 Cambridge Liberation Literature Lecture
Thu 21 Nov
Gillespie Centre
The Lecture hosted, by James Holland, author and broadcaster, will be looking at the destructive toll of war on Normandy and France, the consequences for France and the role of the Resistance in paving the way for Allied success.
Talks
Encounter with Laurence Tardieu
Thu 21 Nov
Institut français Ecosse
While she is in residence at the University of St Andrews, French author Laurence Tardieu will come to the Institut français Ecosse to discuss her books and writing career with Dr Elise Hugueny-Léger.
Talks
Les Beaux Dormants (The Sleeping Beauties)
Thu 21 - Sun 24 Nov
Linbury Theatre
Growing up is inescapable. Le Ballet de l’Opéra National du Rhin performs Hélène Blackburn’s family ballet freely inspired by The Sleeping Beauty – not only a classic tale, but a reflection on one of the most important stages of life too.
Performing Arts
Pi Ja Ma
Tue 26 Nov
Southbank Centre
A contestant on French TV talent show La Nouvelle Star at the age of 17, Pauline de Tarragon is now winning hearts with a very different approach. Debut album Nice to Meet U evokes The Ronettes, Françoise Hardy and Stereolab in its flurry of dreamy indie pop.
Contemporary Music
Odezenne
Thu 28 Nov
Scala
Emerging from Paris and Bordeaux, Odezenne are anything but a straightforward rap group, mixing electronic and rock influences with jazz and chanson. They've been in action since 2007 but are still gathering new fans and playing ever-larger shows in London.
Contemporary Music
Sonica X Iklectik
Thu 28 Nov
IKLECTIK
As part of its fifth birthday celebrations, the IKLECTIK venue is teaming up with the Sonica festival for a line-up including Berlin-based, French-born artist Jessica Ekomane. Her new album of entrancing electronic minimalism, 'Multivocal', is out this month.
Contemporary Music
Bertrand Chamayou – Saint-Saëns, Fauré, Chabrier
Mon 2 Dec
Wigmore Hall
French music, contemporary music and the music of Liszt are amongst the specialities of French pianist Bertrand Chamayou, who includes the dramatic and technically demanding Réminiscences de Don Juan S418, alongside a work by Wolfgang Rihm, written in 1975.
Classical Music
EUROLIS 2019 Seminar | Inspiring New Generations
Fri 6 Dec
Italian Cultural Institute
Don’t miss this one day seminar organised by EUROLIS and CILIP aimed at all professionals who want to inspire young people to engage with (or to visit) libraries and see them as an exciting and innovative environment.
Talks
The Psychotic Monks
Fri 6 Dec
The Lexington
From near-whispers to screams, French rockers The Psychotic Monks gave been evolving in a darkly psychedelic space, unleashing chaos that is both considered and uncontrollable. Supporting new album Private Meaning First, they're on an extensive UK tour.
Contemporary Music
A Baroque Odyssey – 40 Years of Les Arts Florissants
Sun 8 Dec
Barbican
Born out of a belief that Baroque music should make its audiences want to laugh, cry and dance, Les Arts Florissants celebrate their 40th birthday, powered by an unquenchably Gallic joie-de-vivre.
Classical Music
Lise de la Salle
Wed 11 Dec
Kings Place
French pianist and one of today's most exciting young artists, Lise de la Salle will show her gift for illuminating the classics while performing masterpieces by Mozart, Fauré, Bach and Chopin.
Classical Music
The Lock-In: La Boulangerie
Sat 14 Dec
Kings Place
Curated by Aurora Orchestra, each Lock-In takes the public on a journey of musical discovery across diverse genres and art forms. This one will consist in a night inspired by Nadia Boulanger’s salons which were a hub for creative minds in 20th-century Paris.
Classical Music
La traviata
Tue 17 Dec - Mon 23 Mar
Royal Opera House
Richard Eyre's naturalistic production of Verdi's traviata contrasts the superficial glamour of 19th-century Parisian high life with intimate scenes for the main characters.
Classical Music
Les Talens Lyriques – Christophe Rousset
Tue 17 Dec
Wigmore Hall
The famous ensemble dedicates his Christmas programme to Marc-Antoine Charpentier, one of the composers it has championed longest.
Classical Music
London International Mime Festival – 3D by Compagnie HMG
Fri 10 - Sun 12 Jan
Jackson Lane
With a specially created new piece of circus equipment, the 3D, acrobat/wire-walker Jonathan Guichard brings thrills up close as you have never before experienced. This original and exhilarating show is a treat for all ages.
Performing Arts
London International Mime Festival – Tria Fata by La Pendue
Fri 17 - Sun 19 Jan
Jackson Lane
Tria Fata shows the intriguing relationship a puppet can develop with its creator/manipulator, its surprising liberty and independence. Martin Kaspar Lauchli's soundscape of clarinet, accordion, drums and voice orchestrates the delicious mystery.
Performing Arts
French 79
Wed 22 Jan
Colours
Hailing from the French city of Marseille, Simon Henner's synth-heavy style is sometimes heavy and often times dreamy. He employs glorious melodies and driving house rhythms to build euphoric tunes perfect for club dance floors or nocturnal car rides.
Contemporary Music
Picasso and Paper
Sat 25 Jan - Mon 13 Apr
Royal Academy of Arts
Pablo Picasso rewrote the rules of painting, but he also tore up the rulebook for paper. Bringing together 300 of the artist’s works, both on and with paper, this exhibition spans his entire prolific career and represents a significant chapter in modern art.
Visual Arts
Lettres jamais écrites – Unwritten Letters by Estelle Savasta
Sun 26 Jan
The Cockpit Theatre
"Write the one letter that you've never written". This was the instruction given to Year 11 pupils in France. Each one of these letters was then answered by a writer. The result is a rich tapestry of voices and experiences which explore the world of today.
Performing Arts
Orchestre National de Lille – French Landscapes
Wed 29 Jan
Cadogan Hall
The Orchestre National de Lille, conducted by Alexandre Bloch, promises to shine in this programme of evocative melodies from the very best of the French composers: Ravel and Debussy. American pianist Eric Lu will also perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4.
Classical Music
London International Mime Festival – Optraken by Galactik Ensemble
Wed 29 Jan - Sat 1 Feb
Sadler's Wells
Five daredevil acrobats, all graduates of the famous circus school at Rosny sous Bois, try to survive a set that seems to be going out of its way to hurt them. Firecrackers explode, sandbags drop from the flies, walls shift and move and nothing stays still.
Performing Arts