Francophone Museum
Celebrating Francophone Art & Preserving History in San Francisco
The first Francophone museum of its kind in the United States — located in the heart of San Francisco.
The Francophone Museum of San Francisco celebrates the rich history and extraordinary contributions of French-speaking communities in San Francisco and California. Founded in 2024 as a program of Alliance Française de San Francisco, the museum is located at 1345 Bush Street and welcomes visitors year-round with permanent exhibits, rotating art exhibitions, and a growing oral history archive.
It is the first institution of its kind in the United States.
🏛️ Permanent History Exhibit
Musée d'Histoire de la Communauté Francophone
Discover nearly two centuries of Francophone life in San Francisco — from the early French explorers and the Gold Rush to the department stores, social clubs, and cultural institutions that shaped the city. Explore original lithographs, historical documents, and artifacts tracing the French-speaking community's impact on San Francisco and California.
🎨 Art Gallery & Temporary Exhibitions
Our rotating art exhibitions and permanent gallery showcase the creativity and diverse perspectives of French-speaking artists from around the world. Each exhibition offers a fresh lens on Francophone culture, past and present.
🎙️ Collaborative Oral History Project
We are collecting and preserving the stories of descendants of French-speaking immigrants who moved to San Francisco or the Bay Area before 1930. If your family has roots in the Francophone community of early California, we would love to hear from you.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
📍 Location: 1345 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 (Inside Alliance Française de San Francisco)
🕐 Hours of operation:
- Tuesday – Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Friday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Sunday – Monday: Closed
🎟️ Admission: Free — donations appreciated
⚠️ Advance registration required. Minors under 16 do not need a ticket. Groups of more than 6 people (including children) must contact us in advance.
📧 For group visits and field trips: museum@francophonemuseum.org 📞 (415) 775-7755
FIELD TRIPS & SCHOOL VISITS
We welcome school groups and educational field trips to the museum. Our exhibits are designed to engage students of all ages with the
history of Francophone communities in California.
👉 Contact our Museum Ambassador: lynn@francophonemuseum.org
GET INVOLVED
Volunteer Passionate about Francophone history and culture? We are always looking for enthusiastic volunteers to support the museum's programs and events. 👉 [Volunteer → francophonemuseum.org/volunteer]
Donate The Francophone Museum of San Francisco is a nonprofit program supported by individual donors, French-speaking
clubs, and grants including the STAFE grant from the French Government. Your donation helps preserve and share this unique history.
👉 Support the Museum → https://www.francophonemuseum.org/donate
Share Your Family History Are you a descendant of French-speaking immigrants who settled in San Francisco or the Bay Area
before 1930? We would love to hear your family's story.
👉 Contact our Museum Ambassador: lynn@francophonemuseum.org
SECTION: ABOUT THE MUSEUM
The Francophone Museum of San Francisco is a program of Alliance Française de San Francisco (AFSF), a nonprofit French language and cultural institution established in 1889. AFSF operates a language school, performing arts venue, and the Francophone Museum — all at 1345 Bush Street, San Francisco.
The museum was founded in May 2024 and is supported by the following French-speaking clubs and individual donors:
Supporting Organizations:
- La Ligue Henri IV
- La Société Française de Bienfaisance Mutuelle
- La Gauloise, Société Française de Secours Mutuels
- Bay Area Faneurs
- La Loge Franco Américaine 207
Individual Donors:
- Georges Vieux
- Tom Horn
- Bernard Brasseur
- Christopher Benoist
We are proud recipients of the STAFE grant from the French Government.
FOLLOW THE MUSEUM
Stay connected with the Francophone Museum of San Francisco on social media:
- Instagram: @francophonemuseumsf
- Facebook: Francophone Museum SF
- TikTok: @francophonemuseumsf
- LinkedIn: Francophone Museum SF
Open Tuesday to Saturday. Check opening hours and reserve a guided tour or a school field trip on the dedicated website
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The museum will showcase the rich history of French-speaking immigrants and their influence on the San Franciscan and Californian
community through a wide range of exhibits, educational programs, and events.
Advance registration required for each visitor
Minors under 16 don't need a ticket, but groups are limited to 6 people total, including children. Please contact us before, if your group is composed of more than 6 people.
Free entrance, donation appreciated
Hours of operation
Tuesday to Thursday 10:00am - 4:00pm
Friday and Saturday 10:00 - 12:00
Sunday and Monday - closed
Collections :
- Early Explorers
- The Gold Rush
- Historical Context
- Lithographs Representing San Francisco, Found in French Books and Newspapers
- Trades
- Department Stores and Restaurants
- Institutions and Investments
- French-Speaking Clubs
- San Francisco Fires and Earthquake
A Collaborative project
We are launching a collaborative project to collect and share the history of past generations. We are looking for descendants of French-speaking immigrants who moved to San Francisco or the Bay Area before 1930 and are interested in sharing the story of their ancestors.
Donors Acknowledgment
Thanks to the support of
The Following French Clubs :
- La Ligue Henri IV
- La Société Française de Bienfaisance Mutuelle
- La Gauloise, Société Française de Secours Mutuels
- Bay Area Faneurs
- La Loge Franco Américaine 207
Individual Donors:
- Georges Vieux
- Tom Horn
- Bernard Brasseur
- Christopher Benoist
We are also very pleased to have been selected as recipient of the STAFE grant from the French Government.
Being involved
If you're enthusiastic about contributing your time as a volunteer for this project or wish to make donations,
whether they be items or historical documents for the museum, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our Executive Director at noemie@afsf.com.
Museum boutique
Schools and Groups visits
We will be ready to host visit for schools for the school year 2024-2025.
For groups of 6 or more, please contact us in advance (afsf@afsf.com) to confirm as we may not be able to receive your group due to the mix
use of the space (classes, exams)
Learn more or prepare your visit
We encourage you to do the "Paris of the Pacific" tour (only available in English at this time) with the non-profit City Guides.
Press contact
For information about the opening Ceremony, receive the press kit or to
set up an interview
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