Ever since its creation in 1884, the Alliance Française de Paris has helped the Alliances Françaises expand their network the world over. In July 2007, its status was modified and it became the Fondation Alliance Française. This foundation is officially recognised as a non-profit organisation and represents the moral and legal referent of the Alliances Françaises throughout the world.

 The Alliances Françaises, which are legally and financially autonomous and were created on the associative model within the framework of local legislation, presently number 834, are present in 133 countries across five continents. Their goal is to: 

  • Develop the teaching and use of the French language; 
  • Promote understanding of French and French-speaking cultures;
  • Promote cultural diversity and discussion.

The Fondation has the exclusive ownership of the “Alliance Française” label and grants the right to use it. Whenever a new Alliance is created, it has to refer to the Fondation in order to be officially recognised after examination of its statuses. Prior to the attribution of this label the Fondation ensures that the associations, which abide by local law, also respect a set of guiding principles defined by itself and common to all the Alliances. These principles include strict political and religious neutrality with respect to local disputes.

The Fondation supports good governance in the Alliances. It has experts organised according to geographical zones, capable of reacting and advising an Alliance Française when it encounters a difficulty. The Fondation is supported jointly by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Education which contribute to its budget and to the management of its workforce. Twelve permanent collaborators work at the Fondation. Its Board of Directors comprises renowned personalities like historian Hélène Carrère d’Encausse, permanent secretary at the Académie française, writer Eric Orsena, journalist Bernard Pivot. Its sponsors, CIC- Banque Transatlantique, Laboratoires Pierre Fabre, le Cordon Bleu, Total, constitute an active school. Its principal donors, among whom is Pierre Moussa, founder of Paribas, also have a seat there.

For more, you can visit the website of the Fondation Alliance Française: www.fondation-alliancefr.org