Dear Members and Visitors,
The Cercle Francais de Richmond (CFR) is pleased to announce its next conference,
which will take place Thursday January 9, 2025 at 7:30 p.m., on Zoom and at the DP Café in Whitton –
Libertinism in the 18th century in France
by Mr Claude Audinet
“In its most commonly held conception, libertinism is associated with great freedom in sexual life. Nowadays, many dating sites or pornographic sites call themselves “libertine”.
In the 18th century, libertine novels proliferated and contained numerous episodes where sex played an essential role. But for the majority of them they have ambitions that can be called “philosophical” in the sense that this word had in the 18th century.
Likewise the “philosophers” who were, for example, Diderot and Voltaire, were “libertines” in the sense that this word already had in the 17th century: libertines were those who had freed themselves from the chains of religion, and it was against them that Pascal wrote.”
About the speaker
Claude Audinet currently lives in Lille. A graduate of Classical Letters, he taught French literature to students in preparatory classes for the grandes écoles. He was a member of the juries of the Ecole de Saint-Cyr, Edhec, and the Ecole Supérieure des Mines de Paris.
He is fond of the 18th century, which he spoke about in a series of regional radio programs. He is also a movie buff.
Price for the conference – £5
Payment can be made by bank transfer, Paypal, or at the entrance to the DP Café on the evening of the conference –
Details for connecting to Zoom will be communicated to you by email the day before the conference.
The doors of the DP Café will open at 6:30 p.m., where you can order hot dishes, desserts and drinks.
On Zoom the reception will begin from 7 p.m. GMT.
The conference will start at 7:30 p.m. GMT.
