French Farmers’ Market

Saturday mornings from 7am – 1pm at the Palatine Train Station from May through October. See Calendar for details. Stop by the Sister Cities booth and enter our weekly drawing for a market basket–an assortment of goodies from market vendors.

French Nights

Every month we have “French Nights” where we meet in someone’s home to practice French language skills and enjoy French food and wine. Sometimes there will be a specific topic of conversation or a short movie will be shown. People with any level of French are welcome to join us. See Calendar for details about our next French Night. (There are no French Nights in July or December.) If you have questions or would be interested in hosting, please email frenchnight@palatinesistercities.org

Bastille Day Celebration

We celebrate the French national holiday (July 14th) with food and festivities.

Holiday Luncheon

Near the end of the year we gather to celebrate at a French restaurant.

Trips to Fontenay

More information about visiting Fontenay-le-Comte

Visitors from Fontenay

Interested in hosting French visitors?

Past Events

Midwest Regional Sister Cities Conference

Sister Cities Association of Palatine hosted the first Midwest Regional Conference for Sister Cities

April 2008

Biennale

In May 2006 and May 2010, groups from Palatine attended the Biennale festivities in Fontenay. In June 2000 a group from Palatine received a special quilt designed and fashioned by people from Fontenay during their visit for the Biennale.

July 2005 – 10th anniversary and garden tour

July 2004 – Culinary Tour

Summer 2002 Artists’ trip

March 2001 – The mayor of Fontenay visited Palatine for the final signing of Friendship Agreement with Palatine mayor Rita Mullins.

1999—Hosted students including group of accordionists who performed in Palatine and Chicago.

Art and culture events

Group trip to Quebec to celebrate its 400th year – September 2008

Toulouse-Lautrec exhibit at Art Institute

Tour of Hermès store in Chicago and Lunch at Bistro 110

Arts & Anecdotes art show – a juried art show held at the Palatine train station with refreshments and music – November 2002, November 2003

Quilt Show and Exchange – March 31, 2001

Fountain dedication at Palatine’s new train station

Travelogue on Fontenay-le-Comte at the Palatine Library

Claudie Thomas presents “Madeline” in French and English

Rotary Club of Palatine luncheons for our visitors

Concert at the Palatine Library with accordion players from Fontenay and Palatine’s Children’s Chorus

1996 Global Youth Forum— brought six local cities in the Chicago area along with two young people from each of their sister cities for a week of seminars at Harper College designed to foster international understanding.

Artists’ Group Visits

We have had several small groups of artists visit Fontenay. In the past, the groups have ranged from 15 to 30 people. The visit to Fontenay lasts one week. Each day, the group will visit a different Fontenay artist in the morning at his or her studio and enjoy their artwork. Visits to potters, water colorists, photographers and other types of artists have been thoroughly enjoyed. In the afternoon, the American artists have time to create artwork in a different location in and around Fontenay-le-Comte. For more information about upcoming Artists Group trips, please contact Susan Minott.