WICE upcoming events

VO101 Gothic Studies: In the Shadow of Notre Dame (10 Oct 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Registration opens 13 September.

Gothic architecture was born just outside of Paris in the 12th century and sparked a rapid and widespread revolution in art and architecture across France and Europe. Through structural innovations and masterful artistry in stone, glass, and paint, this new style made tangible a mystical philosophy of divine light as a bridge between heaven and the earthly realm. Paris, with its rich layers of history, contains traces of each phase of the Gothic style as it evolved from its Romanesque roots through to the Renaissance. Over the course of four sessions, these walks aim to reveal those layers by visiting eight churches in roughly chronological order, each church offering a window into the ways in which Gothic architects, artisans, and patrons experimented with light, structure, and technique to create a reflection of heaven in their medieval world.

The most influential work of Gothic architecture inside Paris is, of course, Notre Dame. We'll admire the cathedral from afar before exploring the tiny chapel of Saint Julien-le-Pauvre, just across the river, which was built contemporaneously and by many of the same craftsman. Then we'll take a quick walk around the corner to see Saint-Severin, a jewel box of Parisian gothic splendor, and discuss the ways in which it was influenced by and riffed on Notre Dame's legacy, several centuries after the cathedral's completion.

Matt Potts is a licensed architect in the US, where he practiced for 10 years after studying architecture in New York and Rome. He has lived in France since 2022 where he founded his own interior architecture firm. Matt is passionate about France’s rich built heritage - whether renovating a 16th-century manor house in the Burgundian countryside for his family, designing thoughtful renovations for his clients’ historic properties across France, or studying great works of Gothic architecture. He splits his time between Paris and Burgundy, enjoying the best of city and country life in France with his wife and their two sons (one human, one canine).

VO131 EUROPEAN POLITICS AND SECURITY: American foreign policy (13 Oct 2026)

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:30:00 GMT

A series of sessions will focus on the problems of European security. Is Europe now independent or is it still a dependent of the United States? How will it manage without the US? Topics include NATO, the European Union, American foreign policy and European politics. Suggested readings are available for those who are interested in studying the issues in greater depth.

Session III American foreign policy

What is foreign policy? Is it the protection of interests or values? What is Trump’s policy toward Europe? How does this policy compare with traditional US foreign policy? What has changed? Why has it changed? What do the 2025 National Security Strategy and 2026 National Defense Strategy tell us about the geopolitical strategy of the Trump administration?

If the US is focused on the Western Hemisphere and China, who is responsible for Europe?

Mark SHEETZ is a member of WICE who lives in Paris. He taught international politics for over twenty-five years, including courses in International Politics, European Security, American foreign policy and US-European relations. Prof. Sheetz received his Ph.D in political science from Columbia University, M.A. in international relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and A.B. in government from Dartmouth College. Prof. Sheetz was a Fulbright Scholar and Chair of Security Studies at the College of Europe. His scholarly articles have appeared in journals such as International Security, Security Studies, Foreign Policy, Economic Diplomacy, and the Journal of Cold War Studies.

Don't Get Scammed: Practical Cybersecurity for Everyday Life (16 Oct 2026)

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Don't Get Scammed: Practical Cybersecurity for Everyday Life

Scams and cyberattacks are becoming increasingly common and convincing. But you don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to protect yourself.

In this practical and accessible talk, we will:

Recognize common scams and understand how they work
Learn simple, concrete ways to protect ourselves
Discuss what to do if an account or device is compromised

The talk will include realistic examples and interactive exercises, giving you an opportunity to think through how you would respond to common scams.

No technical knowledge required. The talk will take 90 minutes, with time afterwards for questions and individual help. The PowerPoint presentation will be sent to registrants.

About the instructor:
Jonathan Weiland is a freelance tech specialist based in Paris. He has been a WICE volunteer and instructor since 2021. He has worked as a Data Analyst and Conseiller Numérique. Jonathan has a bachelor’s degree in Economics and has lived in France since 2019.

VO271 EUROPEAN POLITICS AND SECURITY: Russia/Ukraine and the Future of Europe (27 Oct 2026)

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 09:30:00 GMT

Session IV Russia/Ukraine and the Future of Europe

What is Russia’s interest in Ukraine? Is Russia seeking expansion or security? Is Macron right when he said that there can be no European security without Russian security? Is Russia a threat or just a great power whose time has come and gone? How does Russia’s power match up vis-à-vis the European allies? Can Europe normalize relations with Russia? Does it have to?

VO301 Bonfire of the Vanities: Book Burnings through the Ages (30 Oct 2026)

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 09:30:00 GMT

For thousands of years, governments, armies, mobs, and everyday people have burned books in massive displays of hatred. Why do they do this? In this talk, John Eigenauer will explore some of the world’s most infamous book burnings through photographs, posters, history, anecdotes, and art, including a famous painting in the Louvre!

Registration opens 30 September.

John Eigenauer is an intellectual historian and professor emeritus of philosophy at Taft College in California. He holds a doctorate in Interdisciplinary Studies from Syracuse University. His work has been published in variety of publications. He has spoken internationally on human rationality and the pedagogy of critical thinking. His book, 'Paris and the Birth of Public Knowledge,' is available online. John lives in Vincennes and has been a WICE member for a year.

FN031 Talk: The American Revolution in Paris - Talk 1 of 4 (03 Nov 2026)

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join WICE in a fascinating tour de force of the places in Paris that are intimately associated with the American Revolution.

Through a combination of four PowerPoint presentations and three walks—based on the book "Paris: Birthplace of the U.S.A."—attendees will gain an in-depth understanding of the critical role France played in the success of the American Revolution.

About the Series

This is a fundraising activity for WICE, and the series is open to all interested persons. The cost is €25 apiece for individual talks.

About the Organizer

Mary Jo Padgett is a journalist, teacher, former elected official, public relations consultant, and independent historian, with a special interest in the French connection to the American Revolution.

While living in Paris she was introduced to the book "Paris: Birthplace of the U.S.A." She has used this book as the foundation for walks and presentations, which she has conducted since 2013 for the American Library in Paris, the American Embassy, private groups, and WICE.

She lives in North Carolina, and does presentations at Lifelong Learning programs at community colleges, Furman University, Wofford College, and others. She is donating all proceeds from this series to WICE.

FN051 Walk: The American Revolution in Paris - Walk 1 of 3 (Thursday) (05 Nov 2026)

Thu, 05 Nov 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Join WICE in a fascinating tour de force of the places in Paris that are intimately associated with the American Revolution.

Through a combination of four PowerPoint presentations and three walks—based on the book "Paris: Birthplace of the U.S.A."—WICE members will gain an in-depth understanding of the critical role France played in the success of the American Revolution.

This first walk begins in Autueil and ends approximately three hours later on the Champs Elysées. During the walk we will visit and discuss the hotel where John Adams and family lived 1784-85 and the historical marker for his eccentric neighbor Madame Helvetius, who was a great friend of Benjamin Franklin.

We’ll metro to Passy to see where Benjamin Franklin lived and had his office, print shop, and research station for studies with electricity. Then we'll visit Square Yorktown (near Place du Trocadéro) with its handsome statue of Benjamin Franklin to honor the Victory for the Americans in the Revolutionary War. An important monument here lists all the French soldiers and officers who died at Yorktown.

We’ll see the magnificent statue of George Washington at Place d’Iéna, learn why the statue of Rochambeau nearby is pointing west, explore the many mementos at Place des Etats-Unis, and see where Thomas Jefferson lived as America’s second Ambassador to the Court of Versailles.

At the end of the walk we can settle into a local café and discuss what we saw.

Note: Participants will gather at 13:30 at metro Michel Ange-Auteuil, street level, on rue d’Auteuil (sortie 2). The organizer, Mary Jo Padgett, will have on a gray silky scarf. After the first site visit, participants will take the metro to Passy, so please be prepared to provide your own metro ticket. From Passy participants will walk to all other locations, ending the day’s tour at the Champs-Elyseés. Altogether, we expect the walk to take about three hours, so please be prepared with comfortable walking shoes, water, umbrella, the usual things you need in Paris.

About the Series

This is a fundraising activity for WICE, and the series is open to all interested persons. The cost is €25 apiece for individual walks.

About the Organizer

Mary Jo Padgett is a journalist, teacher, former elected official, public relations consultant, and independent historian, with a special interest in the French connection to the American Revolution.

FN101 Talk: The American Revolution in Paris - Talk 2 of 4 (10 Nov 2026)

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join WICE in a fascinating tour de force of the places in Paris that are intimately associated with the American Revolution.

About the Series

This is a fundraising activity for WICE, and the series is open to all interested persons. The cost is €25 apiece for individual talks.

About the Organizer

Mary Jo Padgett is a journalist, teacher, former elected official, public relations consultant, and independent historian, with a special interest in the French connection to the American Revolution.

FN121 Walk: The American Revolution in Paris - Walk 2 of 3 (Thursday) (12 Nov 2026)

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Join WICE in a fascinating tour de force of the places in Paris that are intimately associated with the American Revolution.

The second walk, which will last about three hours, starts at the Palais du Luxembourg, which was a prison during the French Revolution and was where American Patriot Thomas Paine was held.

From there we stroll to John Paul Jones’s residence on rue de Tournon. We’ll drop by 10, rue de L’Odeon to see the plaque noting where Thomas Paine lived 1797 till his return to the U.S. in 1802.

Next, Café Procope, which was patronized by Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Paul Jones, Voltaire, etc. We’ll walk along Quai des Grands Augustins, following in the steps of Thomas Jefferson where he bought many books, which were eventually used to establish the U.S.Library of Congress.

Next, Hotel des Monnaies, quai de Conti, the Royal Mint, which was a brand new building when Franklin and Jefferson were in Paris (it was completed in 1777). Jefferson was interested in the production of coins for the new American government, so was a frequent visitor here.

We’ll finish at Hotel d’York, rue Jacob, where the Treaty of Paris was signed, giving independence to the American colonies.

At the end of the walk we can settle into a local café and discuss what we saw.

Note: Participants will gather at 13:30 just inside the gate to Jardin du Luxembourg labeled Porte l’Odeon, to the LEFT of the Palais du Luxembourg on rue du Vaugirard. The gate is across rue du Vaugirard from the Odeon Theater. The organizer, Mary Jo Padgett, will have on a scarf. Participants will gather inside the garden gate, and then walk to sites in the Odeon area, along Quai des Grands Augustins, and finish on rue Jacob. We expect the walk to take about three hours, so please be prepared with comfortable walking shoes, water, umbrella, the usual things you need in Paris.

About the Series

This is a fundraising activity for WICE, and the series is open to all interested persons. The cost is €25 apiece for individual walks.

About the Organizer

Mary Jo Padgett is a journalist, teacher, former elected official, public relations consultant, and independent historian, with a special interest in the French connection to the American Revolution.

VN141 Gothic Studies: Flirtations with Classicism (14 Nov 2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Registration opens 11 October.

Beginning at the architectural treasure box which is Saint-Etienne-du-Mont behind the Pantheon, we’ll use this tour to study late Gothic creations and the ways in which Renaissance ideas from Italy start to make their way into ecclesiastical French architecture. Heading downhill from there and across the river, we’ll enter the elegant late Gothic church of Saint Gervais and study its influence on later Classical church architecture.

FN171 Talk: The American Revolution in Paris - Talk 3 of 4 (17 Nov 2026)

Tue, 17 Nov 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join WICE in a fascinating tour de force of the places in Paris that are intimately associated with the American Revolution.

About the Series

This is a fundraising activity for WICE, and the series is open to all interested persons. The cost is €25 apiece for individual talks.

About the Organizer

Mary Jo Padgett is a journalist, teacher, former elected official, public relations consultant, and independent historian, with a special interest in the French connection to the American Revolution.

VN181 A Glimpse of the Great Names of Fashion: An Anecdotal Fashion Walk and Talk (18 Nov 2026)

Wed, 18 Nov 2026 13:30:00 GMT

The Avenue Montaigne in the 8th arrondissement is one of Paris's leading fashion streets. All the major fashion houses have shops along its length, from Dior and Balenciaga to Chanel, Givenchy and Dolce and Gabbana.

When we all meet at the Diana Flame, Anne Campbell-Crawford, the walk leader, will begin by discussing the 'flame' before crossing the road to start the 'Fashion Walk and Talk' in Avenue Montaigne. It will be an informal stroll and members can contribute as they walk. Anne always brings her book of quotes from the great designers, which starts the comments rolling.

Please note: Anne is not a fashion consultant and does not give fashion advice. Also, this is not a fashion tour, e.g., for choosing outfits or accessories.

Meeting point: The ‘Diana Flame’ next to the Pont de l’Alma.

Métro station Alma-Marceau Line 9, Pont de l’Alma exit.

RER C station Pont de l’Alma. Cross the river to the Right Bank.

Buses 42, 63, 72, 80, 92.

Cancellation with refund is available until Friday, 13 November.

About the Walk Leader

Anne Campbell-Crawford has been living in Paris for the last 16 years where she gives Pilates Classes daily, either privately in your own home, on ZOOM, or in a place specific in the 16th arrondissement. Anne worked in London as a fashion model whilst studying Classical Ballet and Modern Dance. She went on to perform, had her own school of dance, and eventually created the Irish National Youth Ballet Co., which was grant aided by the Arts Council of Ireland. Anne now lives permanently in Paris and in Maine et Loire with her husband.

FN191 Walk: The American Revolution in Paris - Walk 3 of 3 (Thursday) (19 Nov 2026)

Thu, 19 Nov 2026 12:30:00 GMT

On the third walk, we celebrate ways France and the young American country continued a close relationship even after the end of the War of Independence.

We meet at Musée d’Orsay plaza to talk about the Hotel de Salm, next door, and its importance to post-Revolutionary history in America. Thomas Jefferson watched it being built. We’ll pass by the statue of Thomas Jefferson across the street at Passerelle de Solferino and learn why it’s located there.

Crossing the passerelle, we’ll stand along the parapet across the river/road to see the angle that Jefferson enjoyed while watching construction of Hotel de Salm. A stroll through the Tuileries takes us to Place de la Concord and Hotel de Coislin, where the Treaties of Friendship, Commerce and Alliance were signed and the independence of the U.S.A. was recognized by France.

On rue de Rivoli we'll find a plaque on a column of the gate to the Tuileries, which describes that the legislative assemblies of the French Revolution met here in the Royal Manege. Around the corner on rue Saint-Honoré, we’ll see St. James and Albany Hotel, which was previously Hotel de Noailles, where Lafayette met with Marie Antoinette when he came home for a year during the American Revolution.

Eglise Saint-Roch is next, where the tomb of Amiral de Grasse is housed. King Louis XVI called on this great French admiral to help the Americans in 1781, so he sailed on the flagship “Ville de Paris,” with 120-guns, three decks, and with 28 ships in the fleet to help out at Yorktown.

A walk to rue du Richelieu allows discussion of the four American presidents – John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and John Quincy Adams – who stayed at hotels along this street from time to time (1778-1815). Crossing through the garden of the Palais Royal, where many of the Revolution-era Americans hung out, we arrive at La Bourse de Commerce, built as the City’s Halle aux Blés in 1766. This building is closely related to the lives of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, and we will discuss why.

About the Series

This is a fundraising activity for WICE, and the series is open to all interested persons. The cost is €25 for individual walks.

About the Organizer

Mary Jo Padgett is a journalist, teacher, former elected official, public relations consultant, and independent historian, with a special interest in the French connection to the American Revolution.

FN241 Talk: The American Revolution in Paris - Talk 4 of 4 (24 Nov 2026)

Tue, 24 Nov 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join WICE in a fascinating tour de force of the places in Paris that are intimately associated with the American Revolution.

About the Series

This is a fundraising activity for WICE, and the series is open to all interested persons. The cost is €25 apiece for individual talks.

About the Organizer

Mary Jo Padgett is a journalist, teacher, former elected official, public relations consultant, and independent historian, with a special interest in the French connection to the American Revolution.

VD121 Gothic Studies: Legacy of Gothic Architecture (12 Dec 2026)

Sat, 12 Dec 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Registration opens 15 November.

The fourth and final part of this series on Gothic architecture in the parish churches of Paris will begin at Saint-Nicholas-des-Champs which provides an interesting insight into how Gothic sensibilities married Renaissance ideas about architecture. Concluding our series, we’ll walk towards Les Halles to the French Renaissance wonder that is Saint-Eustaches, a grand and highly enigmatic church whose proportions if found in any other city would surely be a cathedral.