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International Center for French Language and Culture

The International Center for French Language and Culture of Institut Polytechnique de Paris aims to promote excellence for all international students and faculty members arriving on our campus, in all aspects of their experience of French and Francophone language and culture.
International Center for French Language and Culture

Our missions

The International Center for French Language and Culture is organized around three distinct pillars: culture, research and education.

Its objective is to carry out activities with high international visibility on the campus, to create a real synergy around French programs for all international students and researchers, and to present the various activities of IP Paris in the field of French studies within all its programs (in English and in French).

The Center's Management

Olivier BERTRAND is a university professor. He holds a Doctorate (Sorbonne Nouvelle) and an Habilitation to supervise research (HDR), he has been teaching at the École polytechnique since 2003 and was vice-president from 2006 to 2009, then president of the Department of Languages ​​and Cultures from 2011 to 2017. Specialist in medieval French, philology and history of the French language, he is a member of the Research Laboratory "Lexiques, Textes, Discourses, Dictionaries" and professor of historical linguistics and medieval lexicography at CY Cergy Paris University since 2012, where he was successively Director of the French Center (2013-2014), Director of the Department of Modern Letters (2014-2015), Research Project Manager (2015-2016) then Vice-President Research of the University from 2016 to 2018. Olivier BERTRAND is an ERC laureate for European Research (2009-2013), CNRS bronze medalist (2011) and Knight of the Academic Palms (2017). Lecturer at Sciences Po Paris, at the Ecole des Mines and at ENSTA Paris, he is a member of the jury of the external Capes of Modern Letters, of the internal Agrégation of Modern Letters, and vice-president of the jury of the external Agrégation of Modern Letters (2014-2017). He is also a member of the jury for the entrance examination to École polytechnique and ENS ULM (series B/L).

Isabelle SCHAFFNER has been a professor of French language and literature at the École polytechnique since 2004. She holds a PhD in French and comparative literature (The University of California) and a doctorate in American literature (Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, Paris III). Isabelle SCHAFFNER is a member of the Research Laboratory LinX (Interdisciplinary Laboratory in Human Sciences, École Polytechnique) & an associate member of the Research Laboratory ITEM-CNRS (Institute of Modern Texts and Manuscripts, ENS). She specializes in French and comparative literature, and conducts research on French and American Naturalism. Isabelle SCHAFFNER began her academic career teaching in the United States, at the University of California and then at Georgetown University (Washington DC). From 2001 to 2010, she taught French language and literature for American university programs/institutions in France (NYU, Columbia University, Middlebury College, The University of Southern California, The American University of Paris) as well as at ENSTA, Sciences Po and the ENS. She was responsible for the French Section at the École Polytechnique from 2007 to 2018. She is a member of the jury for the entrance examination to the École Polytechnique and Member of the expert jury for the Eiffel scholarships, French History, Languages ​​and Literature category.

In addition to all the activities already carried out by the academic departments of IP Paris, the Culture section of IP Paris proposes activities, projects, visits and cross-cultural events on IP Paris campus in order to encourage stronger linguistic and cultural integration and to foster intercultural exchanges.

Activities 

  • Cultural and linguistic exchanges (creation of inter-program and inter-language pairs);
  • Cultural activities, projects and events: 
    • Cultural and linguistic integration
    • Intercultural discussions on major topics involving scientific, societal and ethical issues,
    • Invitation of writers, poets, academics and experts on various topics (creative writing workshops, writers in residence).

Contacts

Audrey STAVREVITCH, Télécom SudParis

Antoine GUIBAL, École Polytechnique

Based on the expertise of the faculty members, the Research section will focus on two missions:

  • Develop French language and literature: societal issues
  • Launch a "Francophonie" Chair

Activities

  • Organization of an annual cycle of conferences on French and Francophone language, culture and literature.
  • Creation of an annual interdisciplinary study day
  • Initiation of partnerships with French and international institutions in order to promote French and Francophone language and culture

Contacts

Isabelle Schaffner, École Polytechnique

In addition to the courses offered by IP Paris in its various departments of Humanities, Literature and Language departments, the International Center for French Language and Culture will organize cross-disciplinary activities.

 

Activities

Academic Board 

The Academic Board of the Centre de français is composed of representatives from international relations departments and French teachers from the five school composing IP Paris. Its objective is to evaluate cross-cutting teaching proposals. It is led by the co-directors of the Education section and works closely with the Department of Humanities, Art, Literature and Languages (SHALL).

Cécile Brossaud, Télécom Paris

Julie André, École Polytechnique

Director: Olivier BERTRAND

Deputy Director: Isabelle SCHAFFNER

Culture

Audrey STAVREVITCH, Télécom SudParis

Antoine GUIBAL, École Polytechnique

Research

Isabelle Schaffner

Education

Cécile Brossaud, Télécom Paris

Julie André, École Polytechnique

Below is a list of upcoming events and access to the registration form ( limited availability).

Series of conferences in and around Paris

Tuesday January 17, 2023, 4-6pm, Visit of the Proust Exhibition at the Bnf, with Julie André

Through this exhibition "Marcel Proust, la fabrique de l'oeuvre" (Marcel Proust, the making of the work) created at the National Library to celebrate the centenary of the writer, you will discover the universe of Marcel Proust and enter the laboratory of the creation of A la recherche du temps perdu. Click here for more information.

(free for students - please bring a receipt)

February 15, 2023, The Latin District, student district, Cécile Brossaud

Thanks to an observation quiz in French and your guide Cécile Brossaud, a native of the neighborhood and a teacher of French as a foreign language, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Latin neighborhood - its cafés and art cinemas, its bookstores and its large libraries - and discover its history linked to knowledge, that of the Sorbonne and the grandes écoles.

Meet at 9:30 am at the exit of the RER B Luxembourg, on the Luxembourg garden side (n°1), in front of the gates.

Duration : 2h30

The International Center of French Language and Culture of IP Paris had the honor and pleasure to welcome Alain Pagès on February 21, 2023 for a conference on "The Dreyfus Affair in Cinema", presenting several films from different countries from 1899 to today.

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 from 12 pm to 7 pm in the Salon d'Honneur at École Polytechnique

The International Center of French Language and Culture of IP Paris, in collaboration with the Department of Languages and Cultures of École Polytechnique, is organizing an international day of Francophony on the theme "French at all times on the five continents".

During this day, from 12 pm to 7 pm, an exhibition of students' work on the theme "Les sciences en mots", in the form of posters, will be set up in the Salon d'Honneur of École Polytechnique as well as in the main hall of ENSTA Paris. Books and resources on the French-speaking world will also be on display at the Bibliothèque Centrale de l'X.

Registration and information

March 24 (from 10 am to 12 pm), Behind the scenes of the Pantheon with Olivier Bertrand

See you at 10am on the steps of the Pantheon!

Monday, April 17 (4-6 p.m.), Paris in the Roaring Twenties, Antoine Guibal and Isabelle Schaffner

May 11, 2023: Criminal Paris, Antoine Guibal

CULTURE

In addition to all the activities already carried out by the academic departments of IP Paris, the Culture section of IP Paris proposes activities, projects, visits and cross-cultural events on IP Paris campus in order to encourage stronger linguistic and cultural integration and to foster intercultural exchanges.

Activities 

  • Cultural and linguistic exchanges (creation of inter-program and inter-language pairs);
  • Cultural activities, projects and events: 
    • Cultural and linguistic integration
    • Intercultural discussions on major topics involving scientific, societal and ethical issues,
    • Invitation of writers, poets, academics and experts on various topics (creative writing workshops, writers in residence).

Contacts

Audrey STAVREVITCH, Télécom SudParis

Antoine GUIBAL, École Polytechnique

Based on the expertise of the faculty members, the Research section will focus on two missions:

  • Develop French language and literature: societal issues
  • Launch a "Francophonie" Chair

Activities

  • Organization of an annual cycle of conferences on French and Francophone language, culture and literature.
  • Creation of an annual interdisciplinary study day
  • Initiation of partnerships with French and international institutions in order to promote French and Francophone language and culture

Contacts

Isabelle Schaffner, École Polytechnique

In addition to the courses offered by IP Paris in its various departments of Humanities, Literature and Language departments, the International Center for French Language and Culture will organize cross-disciplinary activities.

 

Activities

Academic Board 

The Academic Board of the Centre de français is composed of representatives from international relations departments and French teachers from the five school composing IP Paris. Its objective is to evaluate cross-cutting teaching proposals. It is led by the co-directors of the Education section and works closely with the Department of Humanities, Art, Literature and Languages (SHALL).

Cécile Brossaud, Télécom Paris

Julie André, École Polytechnique

Director: Olivier BERTRAND

Deputy Director: Isabelle SCHAFFNER

Culture

Audrey STAVREVITCH, Télécom SudParis

Antoine GUIBAL, École Polytechnique

Research

Isabelle Schaffner

Education

Cécile Brossaud, Télécom Paris

Julie André, École Polytechnique

Below is a list of upcoming events and access to the registration form ( limited availability).

Series of conferences in and around Paris

Tuesday January 17, 2023, 4-6pm, Visit of the Proust Exhibition at the Bnf, with Julie André

Through this exhibition "Marcel Proust, la fabrique de l'oeuvre" (Marcel Proust, the making of the work) created at the National Library to celebrate the centenary of the writer, you will discover the universe of Marcel Proust and enter the laboratory of the creation of A la recherche du temps perdu. Click here for more information.

(free for students - please bring a receipt)

February 15, 2023, The Latin District, student district, Cécile Brossaud

Thanks to an observation quiz in French and your guide Cécile Brossaud, a native of the neighborhood and a teacher of French as a foreign language, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Latin neighborhood - its cafés and art cinemas, its bookstores and its large libraries - and discover its history linked to knowledge, that of the Sorbonne and the grandes écoles.

Meet at 9:30 am at the exit of the RER B Luxembourg, on the Luxembourg garden side (n°1), in front of the gates.

Duration : 2h30

The International Center of French Language and Culture of IP Paris had the honor and pleasure to welcome Alain Pagès on February 21, 2023 for a conference on "The Dreyfus Affair in Cinema", presenting several films from different countries from 1899 to today.

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 from 12 pm to 7 pm in the Salon d'Honneur at École Polytechnique

The International Center of French Language and Culture of IP Paris, in collaboration with the Department of Languages and Cultures of École Polytechnique, is organizing an international day of Francophony on the theme "French at all times on the five continents".

During this day, from 12 pm to 7 pm, an exhibition of students' work on the theme "Les sciences en mots", in the form of posters, will be set up in the Salon d'Honneur of École Polytechnique as well as in the main hall of ENSTA Paris. Books and resources on the French-speaking world will also be on display at the Bibliothèque Centrale de l'X.

Registration and information

March 24 (from 10 am to 12 pm), Behind the scenes of the Pantheon with Olivier Bertrand

See you at 10am on the steps of the Pantheon!

Monday, April 17 (4-6 p.m.), Paris in the Roaring Twenties, Antoine Guibal and Isabelle Schaffner

May 11, 2023: Criminal Paris, Antoine Guibal