Shakespeare’s “Much Ado about Nothing” in Bois de Boulogne - Tue 6 Jun 2017 7:00 pm

A joint annual event with Cambridge, the Tower Theatre company will present Much Ado about Nothing in the beautiful Bois de Boulogne setting near the Pré Catalan. Freshly picked local strawberries and champagne in the interval.

Members and guests €20 euros. Children under 14 €12. Reservation forms have been sent out to members. These must be returned with payment by Fri 2 June.

Annual Garden Party at the Embassy - Weds 7 Jun 2017 6:30 pm

This year, we return to the embassy as the venue for one of our prestige alumni-only + guests events of the year. It is traditional that we invite alumni from one of France’s leading educational establishments and this year it is the Anciens de l’Ecole du Louvre. The evening reverts to the well-tried formula of two distinguished speakers. Both of these will give us insights into, the world of museums. Our speaker from the UK is Sir Mark Jones, and from France, Thomas Grenon.

Sir Mark Jones graduated from Worcester College and later in his career became Master of St Cross College, a post he took up after ten years as director of the Victoria and Albert Museum. He was also Director of the National Museums of Scotland and Curator of Medals in the British Museum.

Thomas Grenon (X-Mines) has wide experience in the public and private sectors in France. Since returning to the public sector in 2003, he has been Directeur général of the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie, Administrateur général de la Réunion des Musées Nationaux and Directeur générale du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle.

Visit to the Maison Européenne de la Photographie - Wed 26 Apr 5:45 pm

Our Cambridge colleagues have secured a second opportunity for a guided visit to the Maison Européenne de la Photographie. The visit will take place from 18:00 to 19:00 and will cover the exhibition ORLAN in Capitals, presented (in French) by ORLAN herself.

We will meet at the museum at 5:45 pm sharp in order to be able to join our guide and start the tour promptly at 6:00 pm. Maison Européene de la Photographie, 5/7 rue de Fourcy, 75004 Paris, just in front of Metro Saint Paul.

For those who want to stay afterwards and eat something, we can reserve tables at a nearby Spanish Tapas bar.

Reservation details are being sent to members. Places are limited so be quick!

OUSP is a corporate member of Géo2000. This allows us to attend its breakfasts. The breakfast finishes at 10am.

Olivier Passet will give his talk in French. Directeur des synthèses économiques chez Xerfi, il est en charge du suivi des politiques économiques et des mutations de l’appareil de production. Avant de rejoindre Xerfi, il a été économiste à l’OFCE (1989-2000), chargé de mission puis chef du service économique et financier international du Commissariat Général du Plan (2000-2006), chef du service Économie-Finances du Conseil d’analyse stratégique auprès du Premier Ministre (2006-2011) et conseiller au Conseil d'analyse économique (2011-2012)

Salon Pourpre, Palais du Luxembourg, rue de Vaugirard

Must enrol by 13 Apr 2017 - click here.

Quelques vérités sur la situation économique et sociale en France - Wed 19 Apr 8:30am

First Wednesday Drinks at Murphy's - Weds 3 May 7:00 pm

Come along to our monthly drinks evening with Cambridge and other alumni on Wednesday 3 May at Murphy’s House from 7 pm. 10 rue de la Chaussée d'Antin, 75009 Paris. Metro Opéra - RER Auber.

Good opportunity for prospective members to meet and chat with fellow alumni.

We might be in the mezzanine or in the nice private room downstairs. If you don’t find us, ask a waiter/waitress where we are seated. Happy hour until 8.30 pm but don’t forget to mention “Oxbridge” at the bar for a discounted price on the pint of beer all evening. Members of all ages and their friends are warmly welcome. We hope to see many of you.

Musée Maillol - Guided visit of “21 rue La Boétie” exhibition - Sat 20 May 1:00 pm

Many of the masterpieces shown in this remarkable exhibition transited the 21 rue la Boétie gallery of art dealer, Paul Rosenberg. He was the grandfather of journalist Anne Sinclair, whose book of the same title inspired this exhibition. Rosenberg was both friend and agent of Picasso, Braque, Matisse, Léger, Marie Laurençin and others whose work is shown here, making him one of the most influential figures for modern art in France, Europe and the US.

Rosenberg's gallery and the works at Musée Maillol tell a story of the Second world war: they cover the dual themes of the requisition by the Nazis of what they considered “degenerate” art, and the subsequent restitution of this looted art. (Both themes were also highlighted by our guide Mme Colin-Bertin in the recent OUSP visit to the Bauhaus exhibition.) Rosenberg's exile in New York with his family from the beginning of the second world war allowed him to open a gallery there and continue both his work as art dealer, and his quest to reclaim the looted art. In no small part, he contributed to making the US the new centre of modern art.

The 63 art works are on loan from New York's MOMA, Washington's National Gallery, and several French museums. They also include rare works from private collectors who, because of the shared war history of the paintings in this exhibition, are allowing them to be viewed publicly for the first time.

Visit of Conseil Constitutionnel: Tue 16 May 2017

We have been granted privileged access to a hearing and visit of the French Constitutional Council, a court vested with various powers, including the review of the constitutionality of legislation. Our visit includes a 60-90min hearing, a Q&A session, and a presentation and tour of the institution. The hearing, the "Loi Léonetti", is on the right to die with dignity. This will be a Question prioritaire de constitutionnalité (QPC). These recently intoduced rulings on the issue of constitutionality are the right of any person who is involved in legal proceedings before a court to argue that a statutory provision infringes rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution

The palace was originally built by Cardinal Richelieu and given to Louis XIII in 1642, when it became known as Palais Royal. Louis XIV lived there for a short time and, after the Revolution, Louis Philippe built the Montpensier lane where the Conseil Constitutionnel now stands. Napoléon's brother Jérôme lived there during the Second empire and most of the interior design dates back to this time.

Confirmation of attendance is required before 20 April

Photographic identity is essential for entry on the day. Details of how to apply have been sent to members.

Includes events arranged with Cambridge Society, and by organizations linked with OUSP

Confirmation of attendance and payment is required before 15 May. Details of how to apply have been sent to members.

Further biographical details included on the reservation forms. Members may invite their own guests. Reservation forms have been sent out and must be returned with payment by 24 May.