In 2014, for the third year in a row, The Washburne Award  for Innovation in Diversity honored a French firm and to an American firm operating in France. Congratulations to FedEx and Colas S.A., the 2014 winners of the Washburne Award ! The Washburne Award for Innovation in Diversity 2011 – The Embassy of the …

A senior-year student from the Lycée Marc Bloch in Bischheim, Alsace, Mr. Gabin Saulnier –who just passed his baccalaureate – has left for North-Carolina.  Gabin participates in a four-week, State Department funded program called the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute (BFTF). The BFTF, a program by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and …

The Inno’Cup Junior science competition wrapped up on July 9 in Grenoble with the announcement of the three top teams including the winners of the grand prize trip to Silicon Valley. 14 teams were selected at their respective regional finals and were provided travel and housing while attending the final judging in Grenoble on July …

On July 1, Ambassador Hartley visited Marseille in order to welcome the USS New York and attend a ceremony held in honor of the firefighters killed during the 9/11 attacks in New York. She and Consul General Quesada met the U.S. sailors and marines on board, as well as the French marins-pompiers, who were also …

On Wednesday May 27, visit to Annonay, Ardeche to participate in a meeting between students from Albuquerque’s Cueva and Cleveland High School Rio Rancho, and Annonay. Every two years, the schools organize visits around the theme of ballooning because Albuquerque holds the world’s largest annual hot air balloon festival and Annonay is the birthplace of …

Secretary Kerry traveled to Paris, France, to meet with Foreign Ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to discuss shared regional priorities and security cooperation, as well as participate in Victory Day commemorations marking the allied victory in Europe. While in Paris, the Secretary also met with French Foreign Minister Fabius to discuss regional …

On April 3, 2015, Consul Tashawna Bethea and Public Affairs Specialist Prévost participated in an “American Day” organized by Saint-Félix La Salle high school in Nantes, starting with an inauguration on the American Revolution presented by the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, in the presence of the Maison des Etats-Unis association.

Public Affairs Specialist Eva Prévost gave the keynote address on the importance of public diplomacy and international relations at the opening ceremony of the Model United Nations symposium at Rennes City Hall on April 1, 2015. The event was organized by the Institute of Political Science of Rennes. Prevost highlighted the importance of cultural diplomacy …

On March 20, 2015, the students from De la Salle High School in Rennes presented their work on the roots of African-American music, a year-long project they had developed in their English courses. The students gave thirteen short presentations in English at the Champs Libres cultural center. Their presentations covered the musical genres of hip …

On March 5, Consul Clayton Stanger spoke with MBA students studying at the IDRAC International School of Management business school. Topics covered during the 2 hour open forum were: the TTIP accord process, the U.S. midterm elections, the economy and how energy prices are stimulating consumption in the U.S., exchange rates and how a lower …

As part of Black History Month, APP Rennes’ Economic and Commercial Specialist Eric Beaty gave a talk on African-Americans’ struggle for civil rights to members of the France-Etats-Unis Association in Caen on March 4, 2015. Beaty began with Frederick Douglass and continued into the 21st century. In his remarks, he emphasized the respect for diversity …

On February 5, 2015, Consul Tashawna Bethea and Public Affairs Specialist Eva Prévost kicked off Black History Month with the inauguration of “Three Voices,” an exhibit designed by the students of LISAA, the graphic design school of Rennes, and dedicated to President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, Dr. Martin Luther King Junior’s “I Have a Dream” …

On February 24, Consul Stanger greeted U.S. University Students at the semi-annual “Welcome to Grenoble” event hosted by representatives of the French-US Grenoble Association and University of Grenoble. The students on their “semester abroad”, heard the Consul discuss the role of APP Lyon in the region concerning consular affairs, public affairs, reporting, and daily activities. …

Consul General Evan G. Reade traveled to Fameck in Lorraine to meet with students at the Saint Exupéry high school.  While most of the time was spent interviewing eight fabulous candidates for the Bejamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute, he also talked to senior high school students about diplomacy, foreign policy and important domestic issues …

On February 8, Consul Tashawna Bethea and Public Affairs Specialist Eva Prévost attended a France-U.S. Women’s soccer game in Lorient with the General Manager of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Teams, Tim Ryder. Nearly 16,000 people turned out for the sell-out event, which is the first of ten friendly matches for the U.S. team before …

Consul Stanger visited Clermont-Ferrand, principally to participate in a round table on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) held in front of 100 participants at the Auvergne Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI). Consul Stanger shared the podium with CCI President Isidore Fartaria, Jean-Marc Mignon—chief of international affairs for DIRECTTE Auvergne—and several owners of …

At the request of the University of Cherbourg, Consul Tashawna Bethea addressed an audience of over 100 students and members of faculty at the Modern Language Department on November 20. Consul Bethea presented U.S. foreign policy as well as the processes that shape policy-making decisions. She also answered numerous questions, several of which concerned the …

University of Pittsburgh Professor of Atlantic History Marcus Rediker gave a lecture at the University of Nantes providing an overview of the history of British and American slave ships that crossed the Atlantic from 1700 until the abolition of the slave trade in 1818. Nantes was the principal slave port of France throughout the 18th …

Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to London, United Kingdom on Monday, November 17th for consultations with his European counterparts and to brief government officials from the Middle East on the ongoing EU/P5+1 negotiations with Iran. On November 20, he traveled to Paris, where he had separate meetings with Saudi Foreign Minister Saud and French …

To celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week, the US Embassy in Paris organized a series of outreach programs with Monica Dodi, founder and managing director of the Women’s Venture Capital Fund.  Ms. Dodi has extensive experience in business in both the U.S. and France: she started four successful companies, was a co-founder of MTV Europe, the head …

Consul Tashawna Bethea and Commercial Specialist Eric Beaty participated at a TTIP roundtable discussion organized by Ouest France newspaper and Rennes’ Maison de l’Europe with an audience of journalists, friendship associations, graduate students and concerned citizens, Consul Bethea and Beaty spoke of the many benefits that both the E.U. and the U.S. stand to reap …

On November 27, Econ/Commercial Specialist Eric Beaty presented a lecture on the origins of Thanksgiving at Blanche de Castille High School in Nantes. Beaty discussed the history of Thanksgiving and its significance for all Americans. The event gathered 100 high school students and faculty members, who asked questions on topics ranging from American history to …

On 22 September, Consul General Amy Westling traveled to Arches to honor a fallen WWII pilot.  Just before the town’s liberation in 1944, an allied fighter jet was shot down overhead, killing its American pilot Ned Oscar Hunger, a second lieutenant of the 522 Fighter Squadron.  To show respect to the fallen pilot, the town …

On Tuesday, September 2, 2014, Embassy Paris was pleased to welcome Congressman Charles Rangel, founder of the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program, which seeks to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers as diplomats in the U.S. Foreign Service.  The Rangel and Pickering Programs provide academic and professional preparation for outstanding candidates to …

Dr. Lindsay Krasnoff from the U.S. Department of State’s Office of the Historian talked sports diplomacy with over 100 students, professors and faculty members of Ecole Centrale Nantes engineering school. Dr. Krasnoff focused on the historical evolution of sports as an informal and formal tool of soft power, and how states have used and abused …

Consul Tashawna Bethea, U.S. Embassy Agriculture Counselor David Salmon and SPACE President Denieul presided over a reception at the International Livestock Show, which gathered 100 representatives of both American and French agribusiness firms and business leaders in western France. All three emphasized the importance of building on the already robust agricultural and commercial ties between …

Fifty years ago, on July 2, 1964, one of the biggest legal barriers to equal opportunity in America was toppled when President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the most sweeping civil rights legislation since the Reconstruction era. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination in such areas as voting, public restaurants, employment, and education …

Consul Bethea and Public Affairs Specialist Prevost represented the U.S. Embassy at a commemorative ceremony organized by the Saint-Germain-en-Laye – Winchester, MA sister city committee at the Normandy American Cemetery. Consul Bethea was a guest speaker at the commemoration, which honored the U.S. Veterans who had sacrificed their lives 70 years ago in Normandy. Also …

At the invitation of the Embassy of the United States of America, Federal Judge Diane J. Humetewa gave a series of conferences in Paris on the laws related to the protection and restitution of cultural artifacts from Native American tombs (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, Public Law 101-601; 25 U.S.C. 3001-3013). In doing …

The last day of his  current trip across Europe  — President Obama traveled to Normandy, France to commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day. After meeting with World War II and post-9/11 U.S. veterans, the President attended the 70th French-American Commemoration D-Day Ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial at Omaha Beach. In his remarks, he paid tribute to …

CDA Zeya traveled to Deauville to open the 40th annual Deauville American Film Festival with a speech in front of 2,000 local officials and international film industry representatives. In her remarks, CDA Zeya emphasized the role of cinema in strengthening ties between both cultures and paid tribute to the late Lauren Bacall and Robin Williams. …

The U.S. Consulate General was happy to collaborate with singer and songwriter Lisa Doby to bring her musical-conference “Soul Survival: The Birth, Expansion and Influence of African American Music” to the Courbet high school in Belfort, Franche-Comté. The presentation brought a musical backdrop and context to the history of Civils Rights in America from the …

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America. It is now observed in almost every state on the last Monday in May. Consul General Amy P. Westling attended ceremonies at the Saint Mihiel American Cemetary and the Lorraine American …

The largest outdoor photography festival in France is located in the town of La Gacilly. This year’s festival featured the United States through iconic and contemporary American photographers. The U.S. Embassy supported the Ansel Adams exhibit and the Public Affairs Officer and APP Rennes toured the festivial in support of strong cultural French and Americans …

Charge d’Affaires ad interim Mark Taplin welcomed former President of the United States Jimmy Carter and international champion of human rights Hina Jilani, both members of The Elders, to the Embassy April 23. The Elders, founded by Nelson Mandela, work to advance peace and human rights throughout the world. They are in Paris to promote …

The U.S. Embassy in Paris organized on April 8, 2014 at the Lycée Pasteur in Neuilly-sur-Seine, which was requisitioned on August 8, 1914 by the French Ministry of War for the American Field Service, a conference for 200 students on “U.S. Citizens’ Involvement in World War I.” Speakers included Chief Medical Officer Jean-Dominique Caron, Recruitment …

#UnitedforUkraine:  On April 2, Mark A. Taplin, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the United States Embassy in Paris,  Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksandr Kupchyshyn, and Canadian Ambassador Lawrence Cannon met with young Ukrainians during a reception at the Hotel de Talleyrand (the George Marshall Center) in Paris.  Mark A. Taplin stated that: “What will move Ukraine forward is …

Winners of the American Science Fair for young women studying science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) took a field trip to Versailles to attend Solar Decathlon Europe. The trip coincided with the U.S. Embassy organized “American Day” where the Rennes team of future female scientists and engineers and the Director of International Relations of the …

Secretary Kerry visited Paris on March 29, 30 and 31 to hold meetings and discuss Ukraine with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. John Kerry, Secretary of State, Press Availability SECRETARY KERRY: Good evening, everybody. Thank you very much for your patience. I know it’s late, at least here. And I …

Secretary Kerry visited Saint-Briac-sur-Mer for an official ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the town’s liberation and the renaming of the town’s main square after U.S. photographer Tony Vaccaro, a WWII veteran whose iconic images retraced his landing in Normandy to the Battle of the Bulge. Mr. Vaccaro’s most famous photo – “the Kiss of …

Consul General Evan G. Reade traveled to the towns of Gray and Champagney in Haute Saone, Franche Comté on Monday, February 10, 2014 to visit the Henry Fertet high school and Victor Schoelcher middle school. The Henry Fertet high school has a partnership with Charlottesville Albermale Technological Center (CATEC) and the students are preparing for …

Program of the Visit Monday, February 10 – Washington, D.C. (Paris + 6h) 14h30 Arrival of the French President 16h30 Visit to Monticello 20h00 Dinner with Christine LAGARDE, FMI Director, and Dr Jim YONG KIM, World Bank President Tuesday, February 11 – Washington, D.C. (Paris + 6h) 09h00 Welcome Ceremony and meeting of the two …

A full house of over 1,000 gave a rousing standing ovation to the world premiere of the Brittany Symphony Orchestra’s performance of a new orchestral and jazz influenced work composed by noted French and American composers in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of D-Day and the Liberation of France. The OSB commissioned American composer Chris …

Chargé d’Affaires Mark Taplin met at the Embassy on January 24 with Archbishop of Bangui Dieudonné Nzapalainga and Imam Omar Kobine Layama, who are working for peace in the Central African Republic.

01/13/14  Remarks With French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius ;  Secretary of State John Kerry; Quai d’Orsay; Paris, France 01/13/14  Press Availability With Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and UN Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi ; Secretary of State John Kerry; Chief of Mission Residence; Paris, France Video 01/12/14   Remarks With Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu After Their Meeting ;  Secretary of State John Kerry; Chief of Mission Residence; Paris, France 01/12/14   Remarks With Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid bin Muhammad al-Atiyah ;  Secretary of State John Kerry; Chief of Mission Residence; Paris, France Syria – Ministerial meeting of the eleven countries making up the Friends of Syria “Core Group” Paris Declaration of the Core Group, Paris, January 12, 2014 Background Briefing on Secretary Kerry’s Trip to France, Washington, DC, January 10, 2014  

On Thursday, January 9, the Embassy hosted a breakfast with a group of female students from Castilleja High-School (California) who were on an intensive study tour in Paris entitled “Women and Immigration” organized by Studio Praxis organization.  The students actively participated in a lively discussion with Cultural Affairs Officer Jennifer Rasamimanana who shared her experience …

The U.S. Embassy in Paris continues its month-long celebration of Black History Month with a commemoration of the incredible life of Benny Luke Jr., as well as a tribute to the inestimable cultural contributions of African American expatriates in France. Born in Los Angeles in 1939, Benny Luke enlisted in the U.S. Navy until his …

APP Rennes were special guests at the inauguration of a new company incubator at the prestigious Graduate School of Chemistry. The event gathered a number of high-level political figures, including Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian, the Regional Superintendent of Schools, and the Regional Prefect.