About the Alliance
Française de Portland

Mission: The Alliance Française de Portland is 501(c)(3) nonprofit, dedicated to promoting the French language and culture by offering opportunities for learning, engagement, and cultural exploration to our community.

The Alliance Française de Portland is a chartered member of an international non-profit organization founded in Paris in 1883 to promote French language and culture. There are currently 834 chapters in 132 countries.

Established in 1937, the Portland chapter of the Alliance Française temporarily went dormant during World War II but was reinstated and incorporated as a nonprofit in 1983. Later chartered as a teaching Alliance, we are the only Alliance Française in Oregon. We offer opportunities to learn French through classes and cultural events. As an independently funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we are guided by a volunteer board of directors.

At our Alliance, we offer French classes designed for all ages and skill levels, led by certified instructors with expertise in teaching French as a Foreign Language. Beyond language courses, we unite the community through a diverse range of events—including literary evenings, art talks, concerts, performances, film screenings, and interactive workshops—that engage both Francophones, Francophiles, and the broader local arts and culture audience.