Welcome

The Alliance Française of Tucson, an all-volunteer not-for-profit organization incorporated in the state of Arizona, was founded in 1973. It is a member of the Federation of Alliances Françaises USA, an American non-profit founded in 1902 and now supported by most of the 132 AF chapters in 45 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico. Arizona also has the Alliance Française of Greater Phoenix. Our mission is to encourage and further knowledge of the French language and the cultures of France and French speakers throughout the world, and to foster friendly relations between southern Arizonans and speakers of French.

Part of a worldwide network

Started in Paris in 1883, the Alliance Française promotes French language and culture throughout the world through a network of over 1000 independent chapters.

Now 135 countries have chapters affiliated with the Fondation Alliance française, many with their own schools. Since 1982, the Paris-based Alliance Française has been represented in the United States by the Délégation générale in Washington DC.

The first Alliance chapter outside of France was founded in Mexico where there are now 45 Alianza Francesa chapters and 15 associated centers, some in Arizona's southern neighbor, Sonora: in Ciudad Obregón, Hermosillo, and Nogales.

What we offer:
 

• cultural programs, in French or English, most free and open to the public, most months from September through April and sometimes in summer. Topics include art, history, literature, music, and travel. Some speakers or performers are on national tours sponsored by the Delegation of the Alliance Française in Washington;
• member participation in volunteer-led interest groups such as pétanque, le Cercle littéraire, reading French literature in translation, Cinéphiles, conversation groups;
• celebrations like le 14 juillet, Noël, la Fête des Rois;
• support of learning French through participation in the annual Southern Arizona Language Fair held at The University of Arizona, and student awards and scholarships at high school and university levels. Returning in 2010, a contest based on the 10 words chosen for la Semaine de la langue française. In the now defunct Alliance Française national essay contest Le Concours national, University of Arizona students placed nationally - 2nd, 1st, and 5th - for 3 years in a row, 2005-2007.
• news about francophone and francophile events in southern Arizona and surrounding areas.

Speaking French is not required for joining, only an interest in the French language and the cultures of France, the 28 countries where French is an official language, and around 285 million people around the world who speak or study French.

A volunteer organization