Histoire de l'AF

Here is a little history of the Alliance Française that we also call in France "la Vieille Dame" (the Old Lady).

This unique organization is in fact more than 117 years old. The Alliance Française, founded in July 1883 by a handful of prominent individuals, is now a cultural network of global scale. It is also 1,300 chapters, meeting places for people who, though they may be far from Paris, are sentimentally attached to France for one reason or another... Whatever their nationality, whatever their race or religion, they all have found something in French culture that speaks to them.

"To maintain and spread the influence of France by promoting the French language," such was the original mission assigned to the nonprofit association christened the Alliance Française.

Deeply concerned by the effects of Prussia's 1870 victory over France, many of the great names in the arts, sciences, and politics rallied to the cause: Louis Pasteur, Ernest Renan, Ferdinand de Lesseps, Hippolyte Taine were members of the first board of administrators.

One of the most distinctive traits of the Alliance Française is that all of its 1,300 chapters are independent. They adopt the host country's nationality and are established in accordance with the laws of that country.