The Alliance Française de San Francisco's blog


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 !



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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.
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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. …


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 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. …


This week, the Alliance Française takes you to visit Lebanon! discover this French-speaking country in the middle of the Middle East ! …


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. …


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. …


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.

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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. …


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"! …


“In order to be irreplaceable, one  must always be different” 

Find out everything about the fashion icon of the 1920s!  …


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. …


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. …


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.

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The Tour de France is over: Find out about the Tour’s evolution throughout its almost 120 years history.
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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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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. …


Discover the delicious recipe of Ratatouille, a dish that can be appreciated both in winter and summer! …

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