The Alliance Française de San Francisco's blog

Corsican cannelloni

Corsican cannelloni

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

Visit Ajaccio

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

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 ».


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 Poulet

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.


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.

Fraisier

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

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

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.


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

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.


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! 

Eggs in meurette

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

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.


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.


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

Chebakia

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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Visit Morroco : the pearl of the maghreb

Visit Morroco : the pearl of the maghreb

This week, the blog takes you to visit morocco!

Jambon Beurre

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

La Ratatouille

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


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.

5 things to know about Andorra

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

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

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

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!

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

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!

The Tarte Tropézienne : the darling of French stars

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

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

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

Recipe : Comorian Samoussas

Head to East Africa to discover the salted beef chaussons: the Comorian samoussas!

Diptyque, an example of French luxury travelling across the ocean

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.

Recipe : Far Breton

Recipe : Far Breton

The word "far" comes from the Breton word "farz forn" which means "far au four" and from the Latin word "épeautre" which means "spelt" which is a cereal-based preparation. As you can see, the recipe of the day is of Breton origin, is mainly made of wheat flour and is baked in the oven!

Night of Ideas : Where are we going ?

Night of Ideas : Where are we going ?

As France takes over the presidency of the European Union in a context of geopolitical upheaval, the Night of Ideas proposes to bring together artists, philosophers, writers and thinkers from all over the world to propose a glimpse of an answer to the question of the time: Where are we going ?

La Gastronomie Française sur Culturethèque

La Gastronomie Française sur Culturethèque

If you would like to explore french recipes, culinary magazines and videos offering up a veritable feast of options, then look no further than the AFSF Culturethèque e-library which serves up excellent resources to expand your knowledge of all things gastronomic.

Recipe : Pork and citronella omelette

Recipe : Pork and citronella omelette

Let's go for a recipe inspired by a country shared between Asian and French gastronomy: the pork and lemon grass omelette from Laos!

Laos, the Land of a million elephants

Laos, the Land of a million elephants

Head to Southeast Asia to discover Laos, a country shared between the French and Buddhist culture!

World Music day : a French-American friendship story

World Music day : a French-American friendship story

A review of the French and American origins of an international festival!

Recipe : Provencal Turkey

Recipe : Provencal Turkey

Head to the land of sunshine: Provence! This small region in the south of France is THE destination for Mediterranean-style aperitifs!
A few olives, a glass of rosé, and let's go for the menu's day : turkey à la provençale!

Recipe : the Berawecka

Recipe : the Berawecka

This week we make you try a speciality called Berawecka, a small bread made of dried fruits and tasted with Brandy!

Thomas Sankara, the Che Guevara of Burkina Faso

Thomas Sankara, the Che Guevara of Burkina Faso

On October 15, 1987, Thomas Sankara, an icon of the struggle against colonial imperialism, was assassinated in a coup d'état organized by his own comrades in arms.A brief look at the life of Thomas Sankara, father of the struggle against colonial imperialism.

Recipe : Banforas

Recipe : Banforas

Let's go to Burkina Faso for a gourmet recipe halfway between the doughnut and the cookie! Discover the Banforas, the little sugar and pineapple sweets!

Recipe : The Parisian Financier

Recipe : The Parisian Financier

Discover this week a classic French pastry: the Financier! Head to Paris to taste this sweet treat!

World Health Day in France: from patient to citizen-user

World Health Day in France: from patient to citizen-user

Every year, on April 7, hundreds of organizations celebrate World Health Day throughout the world with the aim of better informing public opinion about the political and economic mechanisms surrounding public health. This approach is the result of a long term work, especially in France, where the issue of health has emerged during the political and economic history of the country. We tell you everything in this article!

Recipe : Malagasy gambas flamed with rum

Recipe : Malagasy gambas flamed with rum

If rum is part of the most popular preparations of Madagascar, the alcoholic beverage is as much an aperitif as an essential seasoning of the Malagasy cuisine! Discover the recipe of the gambas with rum arranged with orange, lemon and cinnamon!




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