Joie de Vivre!

Join us for a special evening celebrating French culture and taste making, inspired by the world of Matisse and his Parisian contemporaries. Enjoy live music by Baguette Quartette, who will set the ambiance with musical selections evocative of early 20th-century Paris. Sample artisan foods made in the French tradition by dedicated Bay Area makers and hear from them about their craft. Then get hands-on with a drop-in art making activity inspired by the bold, color-drenched canvases of the Paris avant-garde. All materials and guidance are provided. Just bring your curiosity and joie de vivre!

For the ultimate French evening, check out Rooftop Radio: French Electro Pop on Floor 5, a unique musical experience organized in partnership with Villa Albertine San Francisco/French Consulate, featuring a lineup of renowned DJs spinning the best of French Electro Pop. Separate event tickets for Rooftop Radio are required and sell fast — lock in yours now!

Program Partners

The Baguette Quartette is a San Francisco Bay Area group that plays music that was heard in Paris between 1920 and 1940 on street corners, in cafes, and in popular dance halls. Its repertoire consists of valses musettes, tangos, pasos dobles, fox trots, marches, and realistic songs. They have recorded five CDs: A La Noce (2010), Toujours (2004), Chez Moi (2001), Rendez-vous (1998), and L’air de Paris (1995).

Maison Nico is a French-inspired market and café open for coffee and viennoiserie, sophisticated French pâtés and terrines, wine, and more. At the helm is Michelin-starred chef/owner, Nicolas Delaroque. Maison Nico specializes in the traditional French culinary art of pâté en croûte (pâté in a pastry crust), brioche feuilletée (flaky, caramelized multi-layered brioche), viennoiserie, terrines, seasonal tarts, and many other Parisian-style treats. Guests will also find on their shelves a selection of artisanal items from throughout France, many not available anywhere else in the United States. Instagram: @maison_nico

1.2.3 Chocolat is a small artisan chocolate brand inspired by French confectionery traditions. Best known for its traditional French chocolate mousse, the brand also offers handmade chocolates, orangettes, florentins, and seasonal creations. Everything is made in small batches with premium ingredients, careful presentation, and a true French touch bringing a taste of France to local pop ups, events, and curated retail spaces. Instagram: @123chocolatfr

BOCOBITES® is an award-winning Bay Area food brand founded by French chef-entrepreneur Fleur Anderson, offering authentic French cuisine in reusable glass jars. Crafted with premium ingredients and inspired by traditional French recipes, BOCOBITES combines gourmet taste, sustainability, and convenience for modern lifestyles. Their chef-crafted meals are preservative-free, shelf-stable, and ready in minutes.
Instagram: @bocobites

Marcy Petit is a French visual artist whose interdisciplinary practice spans photography, printmaking, installation, performance, video, and textiles and explores ecology, feminism, memory, and social identity. She studied fine art at the University of Rennes and earned a Master’s degree in contemporary art management from the University of Leeds. After living in the UK for many years, she now lives and works in San Francisco where she is a new studio resident artist at Root Division. Alongside her artistic practice, she frequently designs and leads art workshops for children and adults. Petit has exhibited internationally and continues to develop new bodies of work that foster dynamic conversations about the evolving relationships between art, society, and nature. Instagram: @marcy.tiny

La Fromagerie is a San Francisco–based cheese shop specializing in artisanal cheeses, gourmet sandwiches, charcuterie, and catering. They are committed to sourcing high-quality products and providing a welcoming experience for their customers, whether they visit their shop or order for events and corporate gatherings. Instagram: @lafromageriesf

Le Marché Cézanne is a neighborhood French market in San Francisco offering a carefully curated selection of imported groceries, artisan cheeses, charcuterie, wine, fresh pastries, and everyday essentials. Inspired by the charm of traditional French markets, they combine high-quality European products with fresh, locally made food and coffee. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick lunch, specialty ingredients, or a unique gift, their goal is to bring a taste of France to the local community. They are proud to serve Potrero Hill with a warm, welcoming shopping experience centered on quality, discovery, and good food. Instagram: @lemarchecezanne
 

*Please note: the Matisse’s Femme au chapeau: A Modern Scandal exhibition requires a surcharged, timed ticket.