French writing workshops in Oxford
Writing workshops · Oxford & online
Read a passage. Follow an invitation. See where your words take you.
Small-group literary workshops in French, for curious first-time writers and those who already enjoy writing. Choose your group according to your level of French.
Explore the November themes →You don’t need to have written before. “Intermediate” and “Advanced” refer to your French, not your experience as a writer. Both groups welcome complete beginners in creative writing as well as people who write regularly.
You can already express ideas in French, but sometimes need help finding the words or building a sentence. We begin with a short extract and a clear invitation to write a place, a memory or a small scene.
I offer language support as you write. An optional handout gives you useful vocabulary, sentence starters and a grammar point connected to the theme.
See the intermediate themes ↓You feel comfortable expressing yourself in French, or French is your first language. We explore characters, scenes, dialogue and point of view through accessible writing invitations.
You can try creative writing for the very first time or take an existing practice further. No manuscript, previous workshop or “writer” identity required.
See the advanced French themes ↓All workshops are held in French. Reading your text aloud is optional. Book one session at a time: each workshop stands on its own.
When we meet · From November 2026
Tuesdays in Oxford. Wednesdays online. Both run from 6.30 to 8pm, UK time, with the same programme and the same alternation of French levels. Each level meets every other Tuesday in Oxford and every other Wednesday online. Choose the format that suits you; you only need to attend one of the two sessions for each theme.
Each session is independent, with its own theme. Book any available date for your French level: there is no need to start at the beginning, attend every fortnight or book the whole month.
£30 per workshop · 90 minutes · Six places
Every other Tuesday for each level
North Oxford Association Community Centre, Diamond Place, Summertown, Oxford.
Advanced & Francophone
Tuesdays 3 & 17 November
Intermediate
Tuesdays 10 & 24 November
Every other Wednesday for each level
Join from wherever you live. All times are UK time. Choose online or Oxford for the same theme.
Advanced & Francophone
Wednesdays 4 & 18 November
Intermediate
Wednesdays 11 & 25 November
November 2026 · Four invitations to write
A character, a place, a memory, a meeting. Each theme offers a starting point and plenty of room to make the text your own. Tuesday in Oxford or Wednesday online: the same theme, the same programme. Choose one format for each workshop.
Confident French. No creative-writing experience needed.
03 & 04 November
Bring a character to life
A gesture, an object, a way of speaking: start with a few details, invent someone and place them in a first scene. How can we let a reader discover a character without explaining everything?
IN PERSON · OXFORD
Tuesday 3 November
ONLINE
Wednesday 4 November
17 & 18 November
Turn a memory into fiction
Begin with a real, borrowed or invented memory. Change a detail, a character or the point of view, and see a story take shape. You decide how much to invent and what to keep private.
IN PERSON · OXFORD
Tuesday 17 November
ONLINE
Wednesday 18 November
Writing invitations with optional vocabulary and grammar support.
10 & 11 November
A place that matters to you
A room, a street, a garden or somewhere far away. Use colours, sounds and sensations to bring a meaningful place to life in French, and help your reader feel what makes it yours.
IN PERSON · OXFORD
Tuesday 10 November
ONLINE
Wednesday 11 November
24 & 25 November
An unexpected meeting
Two people cross paths. Where are they, what do they notice, and what do they say? Invent a short scene and a few lines of dialogue, with useful French to help you keep the conversation going.
IN PERSON · OXFORD
Tuesday 24 November
ONLINE
Wednesday 25 November
Every session: 6.30–8pm UK time · Six places · £30 · Book individually
Something to take home
You leave with your own text and a themed handout: useful vocabulary, sentence starters and a grammar point to practise again at home.
The handout is provided during the workshop, on paper in Oxford and as a PDF online. You can also keep the PDF afterwards. Use it as much or as little as you like. No preparation is needed.
If you would like to keep sharing after the workshop, you can join our private space on Circle to post a text and read what others have written.
Both groups meet in the same space, with a separate thread for each workshop. You are welcome to share, simply read, or keep your writing to yourself.
An invitation will be shared with workshop participants. Joining the space and posting your writing are entirely optional.
Reserve your place
£30 for one 90-minute workshop, in Oxford or online. Six places per session. Choose your French level, format and date below.
In the booking calendar, choose the category for your French level ending in Oxford for Tuesday in person, or Online for Wednesday online. Then select an available date.
During our 90 minutes
A short published extract opens a question about writing.
A focused invitation leaves room for your imagination.
Those who wish can read. We notice what each voice brings.
A second invitation helps you develop a choice in your text.
You leave with a draft, feedback and a direction to explore. The book or extract is a starting point; your own writing becomes the centre of the session.
Books, language & the words we find
I’m a French novelist, French teacher and writing-workshop facilitator living in Oxford. I created La Petite Librairie to share books and make room for the conversations and writing they inspire.
Whether you come for a novel, a lesson or a workshop, we begin with curiosity—and make room for your own voice.
A little more about me ↗Your writing workshop interests
Tell me about your French, how often you write, what you would like to explore and whether Sunday mornings in Oxford suit you.
A welcome gift from La Petite Librairie
Not sure what to read next? Looking for a little writing inspiration? Olivia’s free 16-page literary guide brings together 40 book recommendations, four writing prompts and reading paths for French speakers, Francophiles, learners and families.
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