Break out the berets and the Godard movies, because a new French language school and cultural center in Williamsburg is planning to bring a little more branché to the borough
Coucou Brooklyn, on Marcy Avenue between Metropolitan Avenue and Hope Street, opened on July 11 with a bash that included French techno and hip-hop, French wine and, of course, brie, ensuring that Brooklynites don’t have to travel to France to get a little bit of French culture.
“You can have that here in Brooklyn,” said Akoma M’ba, one of the center’s director.
Cousins and Francophiles Lea and Marianne Perret said they found enough Left-Bank lovers in Brooklyn to know that Coucou would be a hit.
“There is a big wave of French immigration happening right now, so a lot of people have a French girlfriend or boyfriend and want to learn the language,” said Lea Perret. “And there are people in the restaurant and wine business, or just Francophiles who are looking for a place where they can find that kind of culture.”
The center will offer seven levels of French language classes, ranging from beginner to fluent. All classes are capped at 10 students.
The center will also host wine tastings, film screenings, and dance parties. It will also have a library full of Franch-themed books and DVDs, and a workspace wanna-be Parisians can use during the day mingle.
“It’s a good place to be French,” said Marianne.
Coucou Brooklyn [38 Marcy Ave. between Metropolitan Avenue and Hope Street, Williamsburg, (415) 535–9577, www.coucoubrooklyn.com].
Reach reporter Danielle Furfaro at dfurfaro@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-2511. Follow her at twitter.com/DanielleFurfaro.
