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For a relaxed cuppa

The Alliance Francaise of Pondicherry recently opened the Café de Flore and a multimedia library

PHOTO: T. SINGARAVELOU

JUST CHILL OUT The Café de Flore

Have you longed for a quite place to catch up with friends and sip a hot cuppa? Café de Flore of the Alliance Francaise in Pondicherry is just the place for you.

Located at Colombani House, No. 34, Rue Dumas, one can not only enjoy a cuppa but also take in some fresh air and just gaze at the sea.

The café and a multimedia library were recently inaugurated by V. Nallam, president, Alliance Française, Pondicherry. "The Alliance Française of Pondicherry is one of the oldest schools teaching French in India. It has 500 active members and about 1,000 students. The café and the library are open only to members. Anyone can become a member by paying Rs. 50 a month. For three months, it is Rs. 150 and Rs. 350 for a year. A discount is offered for couples (Rs. 700 a year)," said Nallam. At the library, students can use computers to learn French using CD ROMs in the morning.

The afternoons are set aside for members and students to listen to French music and watch French films on DVDs and CDs. In the evenings, students and members can use the Internet for a fee. Members can also borrow CDs and DVDs by paying a refundable deposit.

The Café de Flore in Paris is a place where intellectuals have taken up residence since it opened in 1913. It witnessed the birth of many significant artistic trends of the French culture as the Surrealism, the Existentialism and the New Wave. It welcomed famous personalities such as Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir and Boris Vian, and film people Montand, Delon and Belmondo.

"In France, it is common practice for people to meet at cafes. Similarly, we hope the café in Pondicherry attracts students and members and become a rendezvous point to chat and socialise. What's more, it will give students a chance to meet luminaries from different walks of life. We welcome French writers and artists in residence. We are hoping to host a famous French philosopher in February. Screening of documentary films and organising concerts and art exhibitions are being planned at the Maison Colombani," said Allain Thomas, director, Alliance Francaise, Pondicherry.

The library and the Café de Flore are open from Thursday to Monday, including Saturday and Sunday, 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

DEEPA H. RAMAKRISHNAN

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