Our Identity

Founded in 2010, Alliance Française of Saudi Arabia is the official French language institute and cultural center in Saudi Arabia.

Alliance Française's goal is to promote and facilitate French language learning and to build bridges between French speakers and Saudi culture.

Alliance Française of Saudi Arabia is part of the global Alliances Françaises network, counting more than 800 branches around the world, a more than 130 years old Institution, widely recognized and acclaimed for the quality of its teaching services and cultural events.

Alliance Francaise of Saudi Arabia has five branches across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:

Riyadh, As Safarat established for the past 10 years in the heart of the Diplomatic Quarter
Riyadh Ar Rabih, in the North of the city
Jeddah
Al Khobar
AlUla, in partnership with the Royal Commission for Al-Ula

Alliance Française also operates in the cities of Yanbu and Mecca in partnership with the local chambers of commerce.

Language center

Widely recognized for the quality of its educational programs, Alliance Française offers a variety of courses and workshops. French courses for adults and children : groups and private; corporate courses; as well as language workshops and Arabic courses.

As the only authorised examination center delivering certificates from the Ministry of Education (DELF-DALF & TCF) in the Kingdom, we organize regular exam sessions allowing our students and external candidates to certify their French level and assert their language skills in order to successfully pursue their academic or professional projects.

Alliance Francaise of Saudi Arabia caters for all needs and can develop custom made programs on request.

Cultural center

In partnership with the French Embassy and Saudi governmental institutions, Alliance Francaise of Saudi Arabia offers a diverse and exciting cultural program throughout the year. Conferences, concerts, workshops, film screenings, festivals and many other events are organized in order to experience and share the passion for French language and culture within the framework of a constant dialogue with the Saudi language and culture.

The Alliance Francaise Worldwide

1883

The Alliance Française is created on the initiative of the ambassador Paul Cambon. He has the support of a committee composed of eminent personalities such as Ferdinand de Lesseps, Louis Pasteur, Ernest Renan, Jules Verne, and Armand Colin to improve the French cultural development abroad.

1886

The first Alliances open in Barcelona, Senegal, Mauritius and Mexico.

1889-1890

Asia swiftly follows the general trend, creating the first Alliance Française in India. The Alliance Française de Melbourne opens the following year.

1894

The Alliance Française of Paris opens its first classes, on boulevard Saint Germain.

1902

The first Alliance Française in Montreal and the foundation of the Federation of the Alliances in America are created.

1919

The French language school of Paris moved to boulevard Raspail and the highly popular “École pratique de langue française” is opened.

1943

The French school of Paris is closed by the Nazis during the Second World War. For the 60th anniversary of the Alliance Française, General De Gaulle makes an historic speech in Algiers, reaffirming its vocation.

1953

The chapter of the Alliance Française de Hong Kong is created.

1983

The centenary of the Alliance is celebrated in the presence of the French President, François Mitterrand.

2007

The Fondation Alliance Française is created and recognised as a public interest organisation. The Fondation is the moral and legal reference of Alliances Françaises. Its aim is to coordinate the actions of the network and its expansion. Gathering experts organised according to geographical zones, it acts close to the Alliances Françaises, giving them support and advice when they need.

2010

Creation of the Alliance Française of Saudi Arabia.