Portrait du Mois

Meet the people behind the Alliance Française de Reno.

We couldn't be here without them!

An interview with Christophe Soulet

Q: Where, when, and how did you fall in love with the French language?

I’m born French so it’s not like I had a choice. I’m glad I’m born French as I adore the language, the culture and the humor. 

Q: What elements of French culture appeal to you the most?

It might sound like a cliché but I would say first the food and the conviviality, i.e. the opportunity to take time to enjoy company while eating with taste, the beauty of the landscape and the arts, the humor and the critical thinking of the French mindset.

Q: How would you encourage someone to learn how to speak French?

Once passed learning the basics, practice, practice and practice! Go to a learning center like the one offered by the Alliance Française. If you don’t have a chance to stay or live in a French speaking country, then watch movies in French subtitled in French. You can relate what you hear from what you read, this helps recording new vocabulary and sentence construction.

Q: What are the most memorable experiences you’ve had in France or in a French or francophone environment?

There are several and they are most of times related to friendship and experience: my rugby years in the South West of France in the 80’s, my first work experiences in Gabon (French speaking country in Central Africa) in the 90’s where I met my American wife and we had our first son.

And then the numerous encounters with fabulous people the next 20 years in French and English-speaking Africa.

Last but not the least, we have lived in Reno, NV now for a little bit more than the year and we are glad that we met so many great friends here!