KickOff Party: Festival de la Francophonie 2026—La soirée commune !

[Le français suit] Grab your passport and enjoy a world of regional delights and libations from the French-speaking world as we kick off Festival de la Francophonie 2026! Guests will enjoy:

Cooking Workshop: Sips, Shrubs, & Sweets from the Fort de Chartres Heritage Garden

Join us for a unique cooking workshop recreating 18th-century recipes featuring ingredients that would have been grown in a jardin potager du Pays des Illinois: an Illinois Country French colonial kitchen garden.

Tasting: Wines of la Francophonie with Alicia Barrett

As part of Festival de la Francophonie 2026, join us for a special wine tasting featuring bottles from around the French-speaking world! Guests will enjoy a complimentary welcome cocktail followed by a seated tasting experience led by sommelière Alicia Barrett.

Workshop: Your Alberto—Sip & Sculpt

Join us for a wine and craft night inspired by Swiss sculptor, painter, draftsman, and printmaker Alberto Giacometti! Guests will enjoy: a complimentary welcome cocktail and glass of Swiss wine an introduction to Giacometti’s unique sculpting style, given by Alta L.

Tasting: From the Origins of Cocoa to the Art of Chocolate Making with Barry Callebaut

As part of Festival de la Francophonie 2026, join us for a journey into the world of chocolate, brought to you by experts from Barry Callebaut: the global leader in chocolate indulgences!

Advanced Wine Tasting with Alicia Barrett

Join us for an advanced-level wine tasting with sommelière Alicia Barrett. This program is designed for those with a solid foundation in wine who are looking to advance their knowledge and take their tasting skills to the next level.

Intermediate Wine Tasting with Cedar Stoltenow

Please join us for an intermediate wine tasting with sommelière Cedar Stoltenow. This intermediate tasting is aimed at those with some knowledge of wine who are looking to improve their tasting skills.

Tasting: Wine 101 with Alicia Barrett

Calling all wine newbies! Join us for an accessible tasting experience in a casual, walk-around setting featuring fabulous French wines. At this beginner-level tasting, guests will: Start the night with a complimentary welcome cocktail Discover affordable (but délicieux !

Intermediate Wine Tasting with Cedar Stoltenow

Join us in the Alliance’s lush, jewelbox courtyard for our final wine tasting of the 2025/2026 season! Guests will enjoy a complimentary welcome cocktail and a seated tasting of five wines, led by sommelière Cedar Stoltnow.