Cité internationale de la langue française, Cultural complex in Villers-Cotterêts, France.
The Cité internationale de la langue française is a cultural institution housed in a Renaissance castle dedicated to exploring the French language. The building features exhibition galleries, a glass-roofed courtyard, a performance auditorium, and spaces where artists work on projects centered on language and creativity.
King Francis I signed an ordinance here in 1539 that established French as the official language for administration and law in France. This decision became a turning point that shaped how French developed and was used throughout the country for centuries to come.
The center explores how French lives in everyday speech, literature, and media today, showing how people use and shape the language in their daily lives. You can see regional variations and discover how Französisch continues to evolve through modern communication.
The center is located in the town of Villers-Cotterêts and is easy to reach on foot when exploring the area. Most spaces are wheelchair accessible, and information is provided in French and English to help you navigate comfortably through your visit.
One room features a ceiling decorated with words carefully selected through a partnership between linguists, historians, and local residents. This collaborative approach is unusual and reveals how different people see and understand language in their own way.
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