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Visit Tunisia
We continue the world tour of the French-speaking world. This week, the Alliance française de San Francisco takes you to Tunisia!
Corsican cannelloni
Typical specialty of Corsica, we share with you the recipe of Cannelloni with Brocciu that many Corsican families make !
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Visit Ajaccio
The theme of the week is Corsica, so we take you to visit Ajaccio, the biggest city of the « island of beauty » (l’île de beauté). Called "the island of beauty" for centuries, Corsica is full of places to visit. Already in ancient times, the Greeks referred to this mountain in the sea as the most beautiful island in the Mediterranean.
Poutine
This week, the alliance celebrates the francophonie by honoring Quebec! Poutine is a traditional Quebec dish enjoyed by young and old alike. Poutine is a classic Quebec dish made up of three elements: French fries, cheese curds and brown gravy. Poutine originated in Central Quebec in the late 1950s. What makes its originality is its brown sauce called « gravy ».
Visit Montreal
The third largest French-speaking city in the world, cultural and commercial hub and a hot spot for good food and music, Montreal is definitely worth visiting. Montreal is the second most populated city in Canada, founded in 1642, now part of Quebec province. Despite the city’s size, the parts of Montreal that mostly interest tourists are in relatively compact neighborhoods. Here are some tips for what to see during your visit in this city.
Eiffel Tower: 5 things you didn't know
The symbol of Paris, for many also a symbol of France. La Tour Eiffel was built in 1889 for the Exposition Universelle, a world’s fair to celebrate the anniversary of the French Revolution. It has become a global cultural and architectural icon and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. These are some basic facts, now let’s find out about the things that you surely did not know about the Tower...
Cari Poulet
Cari or curry is a general name for some of the main dishes of Reunionese and Mauritian cuisine. This name derives from the
Indian curry, which is pronounced kari in Tamil, the language of one of the ethnic components of Reunion Island and Mauritius. A dish of
Reunionese origin, the best chicken curries are eaten in the old Creole families, by the sea or near lush vegetation.
Visit La Réunion
La réunion
;✈️This week, the Alliance Française takes you to visit Reunion Island! La réunion is a french department in the Indian
Ocean. Its tropical and volcanic landscapes make the islands a unique place in the world, at the crossroads between Europe, Africa and
India.
The Elzévir Apartment newsletter #3
You may have already seen some of his black and white photographs in the AFSF's corridors and staircase. Bill speaks fluent French and visits Paris at least twice a year, and he has been a regular student of the Alliance Française de San Francisco for almost 20 years. It is a pleasure to share some news about his last trip to Paris with you!
Visit Corsica
The fourth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and the smallest metropolitan French region by population: explore beautiful Corsica with us.
Visit of the Louvre museum
✈️This week, the Alliance Française takes you to visit Louvre Museum! Arguably the most famous museum in the world, the Louvre has had an interesting history in Paris. With 10 million visitors per year, it is the most visited museum in the world. Here are some facts about this museum with a worldwide reputation.
Fraisier
We continue our world of culinary francophonie. Today, for the end of the meal or the snack, the favorite cake of the French: le Fraisier. This traditional French Fraisier cake, made with two layers of sponge cake, Diplomat cream, strawberry syrup and fresh strawberries, is the most delicious summer cake filled with fresh berries!
Hummus
Hummus is a Middle Eastern classic for a reason. Smooth, creamy, and with a uniquely rich taste, it’s a frequent addition to dinner tables across Lebanon. Every home cook has their own version. This delightful recipe keeps it simple but will definitely make you feel good. There are only four ingredients in this super-easy, quick, convenient, and delicious recipe.
Visit Lebanon
This week, the Alliance Française takes you to visit Lebanon! discover this French-speaking country in the middle of the Middle East !
Nos merveilleuses vacances d'Été en France et en Suisse
John, étudiant du cours de conversation avancé du samedi, nous raconte les vacances de rêve qu'il a passé en France cet été.
De belles photos et de beaux paysages à decouvrir dans cet article.
Bordeaux, Provence, Burgundy: Short Guide to French Wines
Do you know anything about French wines? This is your introduction to start understanding where Merlot, Pinot Noir or Châteauneuf-du-Pape come from in France!
Tarte flambée
Tarte Flambée is a culinary tradition of great importance in Alsace, the history of the tarte flambée has peasant origins. The famous pie was made during the baking of bread in the farms. The first flambéed tarts would go back to the Middle Ages and would originate from the north of Alsace.
Visit Strasbourg
Is Strasbourg worth visiting ? the answer is obviously yes!
On the German border, Strasbourg offers its visitors a typical Alsatian architecture that cannot be seen anywhere else in France. This
medieval city is full of history and emblematic places that we suggest you discover in this article.
Poulet à la mangue
We continue our world of culinary Francophonie. On the occasion of the week centered on New Caledonia, we propose you the recipe Chicken
with mango sauce from New Caledonia,
with carrot tomatoes, spinach, sorrel, lamb's lettuce, mango pulp.
Visit New Caledonia
This week, we take you to visit New caledonia! The archipelago and islands that make up New Caledonia are located in the heart of the Coral Sea, in the South Pacific. These magnificent islands are full of natural wonders and dream beaches.
La rentrée
It's that fall time of the year when the fleeting summer is over, everyone comes back to their homes.
Back to school is "La Rentrée"!
Coco Chanel
“In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different”
Find out everything about the fashion icon of the 1920s!
Eggs in meurette
The eggs in meurette a traditional dish of the Burgundian cooking, based on poached eggs and red wine sauce meurette. Formerly for the lower classes, this dish is reinvented in the great restaurants like the Château du Clos Vougeot.
Visit Dijon
This week, the Alliance Française takes you to visit Dijon! Famous for its gastronomy and architecture, Dijon is located in the center of France, 3 hours from Paris.
The French Tech
If Silicon Valley remains the Eldorado for entrepreneurs, France is not to be outdone in developing its own entrepreneurial ecosystem. Over
the past decade, French Tech has come a long way to establish itself as one of the most dynamic countries in the global tech industry.
Tour de France
The Tour de France is over: Find out about the Tour’s evolution throughout its almost 120 years history.
Chebakia
Did you know ?
The chebakia is a Moroccan pastry in a rolled form. It is sometimes compared to the Moroccan cookie or donut. Moroccans prepare chebakia
mainly to accompany the harira during the fasting month of Ramadan. It can also be found at parties and weddings.
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The gorges of Verdon : a summer in south of France
Located in south of France, Gorges du verdon offer landscapes worthy of being on a postcard. for nature and sport lovers, this place is perfect for you !
Jambon Beurre
A jambon beurre is a simple ham sandwich. But to French people, it is so much more...
Read this to find out everything there is to know about the tradition French sandwich.
La Ratatouille
Discover the delicious recipe of Ratatouille, a dish that can be appreciated both in winter and summer!
Bastille Day
Fête nationale française:
Find out everything there is to know about Bastille day and more.
Discover Réunion: Volcanos, biodiversity and grilled chicken
Did you know there is a little piece of France 6,000 miles away from France?
Angela Butler
An American from Anchorage Alaska, Angela has a BA in Theater from San Francisco State University. Later, she endeavored to learn French and
earned an AA in French from City College of San Francisco. She has also worked as a professional home organizer in San Francisco.
Angela spent over a year teaching English to middle and high school students in Aveyron and Paris through the Teaching Assistant Program In
France. In between her teaching engagements, she spent a summer as camp coordinator at AFSF, and couldn’t wait to come back to work with the
AFSF team.
Angela spends her spare time trying to improve her French.
Angela Butler
An American from Anchorage Alaska, Angela has a BA in Theater from San Francisco State University. Later, she endeavored to learn French and
earned an AA in French from City College of San Francisco. She has also worked as a professional home organizer in San Francisco.
Angela spent over a year teaching English to middle and high school students in Aveyron and Paris through the Teaching Assistant Program In
France. In between her teaching engagements, she spent a summer as camp coordinator at AFSF, and couldn’t wait to come back to work with the
AFSF team.
Angela spends her spare time trying to improve her French.
6 things to do in Marseille in summer
Have you ever been to Marseille? No? It’s high time you fixed that! French second largest city in the heart of Provence will
definitely steal your heart. Colorful neighborhoods, lovely restaurants and bars, beautiful views, Mediterranean vibe - there is
nothing else you need! Here are our six tips for what to do in this city.
Chemins de Compostelle
Why walk on one of the “Chemins de Compostelle”?
Going on one of the “Chemins de Compostelle” is an opportunity to get your body used to walking again, to visit places full of
history and to have meaningful encounters.
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Homework samples from B2 advanced students
Une fois de plus, aux Etats-Unis, le désolant retour du même. Le 24 mai, à Uvalde, petite ville du Texas, un adolescent de 18 ans,
nommé Salvador Ramos, a tué dix-neuf enfants de la Robb Elementary School, ainsi que deux adultes, avec un fusil d’assaut. Dix jours
auparavant, Payton Gendron, 18 ans lui aussi, avait assassiné dix personnes dans un supermarché de Buffalo (Etat de New York). Ce
type d’attaque se répète inlassablement, 61 fusillades ont eu lieu en 2021 et selon le FBI. L’amour des armes à feu est une grave
maladie américaine.
Qu’en pensez-vous?
Que doit-on faire?
Doit-on vendre des armes à feu sans faire des recherches antécédentes ?
Summer is here!
Summer is finally here with the longest day of the year on 6/21.With the dreary rainy season finally gone, it's time to get outside and enjoy all those silly clichés of summer!
5 things to know about Andorra
Andorra is a small country located between France and Spain. However, this micro-state is neither completely French, nor completely Spanish!
We tell you everything about this French-speaking region like no other!
Andorran oreillettes
Oreillettes are typical crunchy sweets that are elaborated under different names: "garrifes", "aurelhetas" or "crespells" in Occitania; "orellanes" in the Balearic Islands; or "crespeth" in the Aran Valley. There are only two rules to taste this dessert: follow the recipe and lick your fingers!
Louis XV: Tales of love and cookery
If Louis XIV was known to eat alone in public, according to the royal protocols, his successors, on the other hand, tried to escape from it.
The last years of his reign saw the emergence of the fires of conversation, the pleasures of gastronomy, and the presence of women at the
table, exploding the stuffy and rigid atmosphere of the royal dining room!
Here are a few portraits of women (and dishes) that shaped the royal life!
Recipe : Bouchées à la reine
My first is a puff pastry, my second is a set of spices, my third is a diced meat. My third is a diced meat. My last one is a thick forest sauce. As you may have guessed, we are heading to Paris for the famous Bouchée à la reine!
Togolese idioms: French as you've never seen it!
Although Togo is indeed a French-speaking country, the local population is no less creative in the use of our good old French. Grab your pens and notebooks, it's time to discover the flowery expressions and subtleties of language typically Togolese!
Recipe : Togolese ginger shrimps
Fancy a healthy but tasty and original dish? Head to Togo to discover N'foutou, a delicious ginger shrimps dish which we can't get enough of!
SUMMER VACATION
It’s that time of the year when one starts thinking about the rapidly approaching summer vacation. It’s a very big part of the French culture. It’s time to bond with family, friends, and make lifelong memories. Most of all, it's a time to recharge the battery and have some well deserved fun.
The Tarte Tropézienne : the darling of French stars
We are all aware, whether we are French or American: the French Riviera is THE place to be all year round. We love this region for its mild
temperatures, sunny beaches and local restaurants with menus between land and sea!
The Tarte Tropézienne is no exception to the rule: learn about the origins of this dessert made famous by the French cinema!
Recipe : Tarte Tropézienne
Let's go to the French Riviera for a light and sunny dessert: the Tarte Tropézienne!
The Tarte Tropézienne is a pie with brioche dough and light pastry cream sprinkled with sugar! Although the secret of its making is still
well kept, we give you some tips for a result worthy of the greatest French restaurants!
Comorian music: committed and hybrid
The Comoros is an archipelago located in West Africa, in the Indian Ocean. It is a former French colony which included Mayotte until their
independence in 1975.
The national languages of Comoros are French, Arabic and Comorian. This mix of European, Indian and African, and Arab culture has resulted
in a rich and amazing musical heritage and culture!
Discover the Comoros, as you have never seen them before!
Recipe : Comorian Samoussas
Head to East Africa to discover the salted beef chaussons: the Comorian samoussas!
The Elzévir Apartment Newsletter
You may already know Bill from his past contribution to our blog, here, he comes back with a piece on Paris after the pandemic. Discover his photos, and follow his journey through the most iconic places in the French capital city.
France-USA Student Exchange Application - School Year 2023
You are a high school or university student, and you are interested in studying in France or in the United States for a year? The Alliance Française is happy to help match American and French families who want to take part in this exchange!
Diptyque, an example of French luxury travelling across the ocean
St Germain Diptyque is a luxury French fragrance brand. Based in Paris, the company produces eau de parfum, eau de toilette, scented candles, and perfume oil diffusers. Its original boutique is still located at 34 Boulevard Saint-Germain in the 5th arrondissement of Paris.