Alliance Française de Melbourne

The Alliance Française de Melbourne is an Australian non-profit association dedicated to the promotion of the French language and culture.

The Alliance Française de Melbourne encourages and promotes active, open connections between people in Victoria and French language and culture.

It provides the means by which people can learn the French language and become engaged in the many different aspects of French culture including art, books, poetry, film, history, gastronomy, contemporary affairs, thoughts and ideas. It provides the opportunity for friends of French language and culture to come together in an apolitical, non-religious and welcoming environment.

Founded in 1890, the Alliance Française de Melbourne is the oldest in Australia (there being 33 Alliances in the Federation) and one of the oldest in the world. It belongs to a world network of 1,400 Alliances Françaises set up in 138 countries.

It is also a French cultural centre, the only one in Victoria, enjoying the patronage and support of the French Embassy in Canberra. The Alliance organises each year major cultural events, such as the French Film Festival and is involved in other important festivals such as the Melbourne Festival. It also has an art gallery, which is part of the Southside Arts of Port Philip which units the most diverse group of commercial galleries and art organisations in Melbourne.