The Alliance Française de San Francisco's blog


Ratatouille is a bright, thick summer vegetable dish, rich in olive oil, a vegetable dish from the south of France, particularly from the Nice region. It’s perfect to bring some summer vibes to this cold weather. …


Happy January! Wherever you happen to be celebrating the beginning of 2023, today we will take you to a nice and warm island of Martinique, one of the French Overseas Departments located in the Caribbean Sea. …


An easy recipe for a delicious French style moelleux au chocolat (also called molten chocolate cake), with liquid chocolate inside that runs out when cut... Miam! …


In France too we have Christmas cookies! These are very popular in the Christmas markets in Europe. With a good taste of cinnamon, simple and easy to make, they will delight the whole family for the festivities! …


The holiday season is officially upon us! Today, let’s have a look at how French celebrate Christmas and what are their not so well known traditions during this holiday... Let’s uncover some of the differences between French Christmas and Christmas in other countries!  …


This dessert bread, topped with red pralines, is an iconic recipe from Lyon, France. It was made famous by baker Auguste Pralus in 1955! …


This unique recipe made up of unique flavors that goes perfectly together will please the whole table for Christmas or New Year's Eve! …


An old-fashioned classic, pain d'epice, also known as gingerbread, are perfect for the holiday season! This timeless and easy to make recipe is very popular in France! …


Hearty and tasty, chorizo muffins are perfect for breakfast, lunch.. or even dinner! Healthy and protein-packed, it is one of our favorite recipes! …


We forget everything with this recipe so comforting after a long week. A rich, runny, creamy, oven-baked camembert with a little rosemary and its gourmet, sweet touch provided by the figs roasted with honey and walnuts. …


Christmas is slowly knocking at our door, but there is a period of waiting and preparing for Christmas, called Advent. How is it like in France? …


Mountains, greenery, beaches, historical sites: Haiti is a beautiful country located on the island of Hispaniola, third largest by area and the most populous in the Caribbean, inhabiting almost 12 million people. Haiti declared its independence from France in 1804, but French language still remain to be on of the official ones together with the Haitian Creole. Capital city is Port-au- Prince. Today we offer you 5 tips for what to do if you decide to visit Haiti. …


It is said that Normandy is the "orchard of France". Normandy, its apple orchards lined with green grass, as green as an apple! This fruit offers multiple gustatory possibilities and above all, seems to appreciate the oceanic climate of the region. Let's go and meet this fruit symbol of the Normandy region! …


The Norman pie is a culinary specialty of Normandy. It is an apple pie with a filling of flour, eggs, cream and sugar. In any case, the Norman pie is an essential element of the Norman cultural identity. The production of apples is important in all the territories of Lower and Upper Normandy, and each Norman country prides itself on producing the best Norman pie. …


We continue the world tour of the French-speaking world. This week, the Alliance française de San Francisco takes you to Cambodia! Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia known for its Angkor Wat sites and temples, its heavenly beaches and its Khmer culture. Because of the French colonial past, Cambodia has today 400 000 French speaking people Planning to visit Cambodia? Discover our selection of must-sees to enjoy the many wonders of the land of smiles! …


🍽️ This week's menu: quiche lorraine! The true traditional recipe of the quiche lorraine, it is a beautiful pure butter pastry, eggs, cream, smoked bacon but no cheese. Easy and essential. The first written records of quiche lorraine are found on March 1st 1586 at the Duke of Lorraine's house, then in Nancy just a little later. …


Marvelous coastline, fascinating countryside, impressive castles and churches and picturesque ancient towns: this week we invite you to explore the French region of Normandy! …


Françoise Sagan (real name Françoise Quoirez) is a French novelist born on June 21, 1935 in Cajarc (Lot) and died in Honfleur (Calvados) on September 24, 2004. In 1954, when she was only 18 years old, she met the success and the celebrity... Described as a "charming little monster" by François Mauriac, she also published biographies, plays, songs, and collaborated in the writing of screenplays and film dialogues. But she is also known for having regularly defrayed the social and judicial chronicle. …


Discover today one of the specialities of the south of France: the panisses!From Italy to Provence, Panisse is one of the well known specialties of Nice and Marseille. …


It's almost time to celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau in France! Every third Thursday of November, the French celebrate the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau. But what does this wine festival consist of? We tell you everything in this article! …


France has several mountainous areas, including the most famous, the Alps. And wherever you go, one thing you can be sure of is a spectacular mountain landscape. Among the 232 ski resorts open in France, we have prepared a selection of the best places to spend your vacations.  France has the best of the best in ski areas. From the smallest to the biggest, from the most exclusive to the most authentic, from the festive to the family-oriented, you are bound to find what you are looking for! Let's get started! …


Today, in our series of powerful French women, discover the figure of Simone Veil, probably one of the most important French politicians. Young Auschwitz survivor, Minister of Health at the origin of the legalization of abortion, President of the European Parliament, immortal at the French Academy... A look back at an exceptional career. Discover the story of this woman with an incredible destiny. …


The gougère is a Burgundian speciality, composed of choux pastry and cheese, the cheese being mixed with the choux pastry still warm before cooking. The Burgundian gougère is mentioned from "goiere" at the end of the 14th century, with the meaning of cheese pie. The gougère is a dish eaten after the dish, at the time of the cheese, it is today frequently consumed with the aperitif, it is also appreciated during the tasting of wines. …


Today, the Alliance française de San Francisco takes you to discover the Burgundy region with the city of Chalon-sur-Saône, located between Dijon and Lyon. 

Discover below a selection of must-do's to discover the city of Chalon-sur-Saône and its surroundings. …


Majestic mountains, frozen glaciers, beautiful cities, great coffee culture and incredible wildlife: Ô Canada! Find about some interesting facts about the second largest country in the world. …


In 2024, Paris will host the Summer Olympics for the third time in history. Paris becomes the second city to celebrate the Summer Olympics for the third time, a hundred years apart (1900, 1924 and 2024). The cities of Boston, Hamburg, Rome and Budapest were candidates to welcome the Olympic Games that year. New sports entering the Olympics are surfing, skateboarding, rock climbing, 3x3 basketball and breakdance …


A canelé is a small French pastry flavored with rum and vanilla with a soft, tender custard center and a thick, dark caramelized crust. A specialty of the Bordeaux region in France, it is now widely available in pastry shops in France and abroad. …


The visit of the week is Bordeaux! Bordeaux is both a wine region and a city in southwest France. The city was first settled in 567 BC, and some of the oldest ruins in the city, dating back to the 4th century, can still be visited in the crypt beneath the Basilica of Saint-Seurin. …


Have you ever heard “La Vie en Rose”? Surely you did. Then you might want to find out something more about the singer of its original, Edith Piaf. Edith was born in Paris in 1915 as Edith Giovanna Gassion. Because of her height of five feet she was nicknamed “La Mome Piaf” meaning little sparrow. Even though her life turned into a tragic one, she is until now celebrated as one of France’s greatest performers. …


On the occasion of the week dedicated to the Palace of Versailles, we have found a recipe of the time: the "bouchées à la reine" (or vol-au-vent).  …


This week, the Alliance takes you to visit THE most visited French castle: le Château de Versailles! The Palace of Versailles is a huge place where art and nature combine perfectly. King Louis XIV is the creator of this unique palace, known for its incredible architecture and French gardens. It belongs at the top of your "must-see" bucket list for the City of Light and is easy to reach for a day trip - or even a half-day visit. …


La Côte d’Azur is one of the most visited parts of France, famous for its magnificent beaches, atmospheric cities, film festivals and beautiful nature. However, it offers much more than just the most popular towns and casinos: from stunning national parks to architectural treasures, modern art museum, centuries-old villages located high in the hills and more. Find out about the less known, but still worth visiting parts of the French Riviera. …


Discover the perfect recipe for Breton buckwheat pancake dough! Easy to prepare, this recipe is full of tricks that will delight your taste buds! You can add the filling of your choice! …


Our discovery of the week is the Mont-Saint-Michel! Mont-Saint-Michel is a tidal island, in Normandy In 2019, the island had 29 inhabitants. With its 2.5 million visitors per year, this must-see monument of French tourism is full of history! …


Today's recipe: le Croque-monsieur. A croque-monsieur is a hot sandwich, originating from France, made of bread, white ham and cheese (emmental, comté...). easy to make, easy to eat, pleases everyone, this French recipe is within everyone's reach! …


Want to visit the Musée d'Orsay during you trip in Paris? Very good choice! It is known and recognized all over the world. It is indeed famous for housing one of the most beautiful collections of impressionist works in the world. You are not a specialist in the subject? You will discover incredible works whose authors are known to all: Van Gogh, Monet, Cézanne, Degas, Courbert, Garnier, Guimard… …


The word "tajine" comes from the dish used to cook this dish. Everything is cooked in a tomato sauce. If you don't have a clay tagine, no problem. Use a casserole or a large pan with a lid. A simple, complete and comforting dish. The tagine with meatballs, also called tagine of kefta is one of the most popular tagines. Because it is very simple, quick to make and tasty !



…


We continue the world tour of the French-speaking world. This week, the Alliance française de San Francisco takes you to Tunisia! …


Typical specialty of Corsica, we share with you the recipe of Cannelloni with Brocciu that many Corsican families make ! …


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. …


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 ». …


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. …


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 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.
…


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. …


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! …


The fourth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and the smallest metropolitan French region by population: explore beautiful Corsica with us. …


✈️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. …

Show More


Contact Us

Alliance Française
1345 Bush Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
Tel: +1 (415) 775-7755
E-mail: afsf@afsf.com

Follow Us

                  



Copyright © 1889-2026. Alliance Française. All Rights Reserved.

Alliance Française is an American nonprofit public charity, tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Design by Monsieur Graphic