The Alliance Française was founded in 1883 in Paris as an “Association nationale pour la propagation de la langue française dans les colonies et à l’étranger” (a National association for the propagation of the French language in French territories and abroad), under the aegis of Pierre Foncin and Ambassador Paul Cambon. The Paris Alliance was created the following year by a board of directors featuring illustrious names like Jules Verne (author), Louis Pasteur (chemist and biologist), and Ferdinand de Lesseps (diplomat). The first Alliance Française abroad was created the same year in Barcelona.

Today there are 1040 Alliances Françaises in 136 countries, from Argentina to Canada, from the furthest tip of Africa to northernmost Scandinavia, and across Russia, Asia and Oceania. The Alliance Francaise truly spans the globe and approximately 460,000 students take classes at Alliances throughout the world.

For over a century, the Alliance Française has been overseeing an ambitious project: to spread French language and culture well beyond the borders of France. Each Alliance is part of this worldwide network and, while entirely independent, is recognised for its high quality programs and the strong bonds forged with its local cultural, educational and business communities, as well as with the French government.  

The Alliance’s mission extends beyond the work it does abroad. In Paris, an ever growing number of students from around the world attend the Alliance in the heart of the French Capital. The string of Alliances located across the French continent- from Paris to Nice to Bordeaux- permits many an international student to discover the richness of French culture whilst living right amongst it. All of the activities and community-based initiatives, cultural or otherwise, contribute to Alliance success. Each is a non-profit association, dedicated to reciprocity, and supported by the loyalty of its students and members who share a passion for French language and culture. Known the world over, the Alliance Francaise operates in 136 countries, thanks to the oversight and guidance of over a thousand local committees. 

Today the Alliance Française has set the benchmark for teaching French as a foreign language. The Alliance’s recognition by the French Ministry for Education, as well as by European organisations such as ALTE (the Association of Language Testers in Europe) clearly demonstrates the Alliance’s leadership in this field. Language teaching goes hand in hand with the Alliance’s commitment to cultural understanding and development. Alliance Française courses and programs creatively bring together French language and French artistic creation with a wonderfully diverse student body, proving that a language truly lives only when shared. 

Each Alliance Française is an independent association regulated by local law and bound by a common purpose to the Fondation Alliance française. The Alliances Françaises are apolitical and nondenominational, which facilitates establishment and long term continuity in numerous countries where it might otherwise be hard to set up shop. Internationally, the Alliances do not play a French diplomatic role, however, they can help provide information on sourcing advice from the French embassy or consulate. Their strength and success is in part due to their integration into the local cultural life of the host country and their close collaboration with individuals and institutions in the cultural and educational community. In Australia, for over a century, passionate devotees and volunteers have worked alongside one another to establish a dynamic network of Alliances that have come to symbolise the strength of the friendship between France and Australia.