The Alliance Française de San Francisco's blog


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.  
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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. …


Summer is finally here with the longest day of the year on 6/21.With the dreary rainy season finally gone, it's time to get outside and enjoy all those silly clichés of summer! …


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! …


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! …


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! …


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! …


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! …


It’s that time of the year when one starts thinking about the rapidly approaching summer vacation. It’s a very big part of the French culture. It’s time to bond with family, friends, and make lifelong memories. Most of all, it's a time to recharge the battery and have some well deserved fun. …


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! …


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! …


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! …


You may already know Bill from his past contribution to our blog, here, he comes back with a piece on Paris after the pandemic. Discover his photos, and follow his journey through the most iconic places in the French capital city.    …


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! …


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 ? …


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. …


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! …


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


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. …


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! …


Reading is an excellent and stress-free method of improving your French. Your AFSF Culturethèque e-library helps you select the best titles for your reading level with the APPRENDRE LE FRANÇAIS EN LISANT section curated by level for readers of all ages and interests …


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! …


Every 5 years, French voters go to the polls to elect their next president. This Sunday, April 10th will be the first round of the 2022 election with the second round run-off of  top candidates on April 24th . Your Culturethèque e-library can keep you current on all of the latest news as the election unfolds. …


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! …


The Francophonie refers to men and women who share a common language: French. We estimate over 300 million French speakers across five continents. March 21st is the day of the Francophonie, and AFSF students are honoring this day with their own presentations.   …


Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands is THE paradise in the middle of the Indian Ocean! Known for its beautiful white sand beaches, these islands are full of cultural and culinary secrets of the most amazing! …


Head to Seychelles for a sweet and original specialty: the sweet potato cake! More commonly known as "Gâteau di patate", this light and fragrant sweetness is a treat for young and not so young! …


March is Women's History Month! On the occasion of the celebration of Women's Rights Day, here are 10 portraits of women who have marked French history in all fields: war, fashion, politics, writing, art, we tell you everything! …


Mini chocolate-hazelnut puffs! Here is an idea for a gourmet snack very easy to prepare! There is plenty for everyone: with jam, with another filling, or even in a salty version with pesto or cheese! …


This session, all students from all courses at the AFSF were invited to work on a project, or 'devoirs' on the subject of equality between men and women, also called in French: "La parité homme - femme". Discover how different levels of French can express different ideas on the subject.  …


How about challenging yourself by reading some of those French classics you have been meaning to tackle – but never quite found the time. Your AFSF Culturethèque e-library can help! Simply click on the "Learn French" tab on the Culturethèque home page to discover a trove of French classics adapted for readers of all levels …


Welcome to French Guiana! France's largest department located in South America is home to as many culinary and cultural treasures! Here are 5 things to know about French Guiana! …


An irresistible need to travel? No need for a plane ticket, the traditional dishes of Guyanese cuisine will take you on an excursion with Creole, Amerindian, Brushingue or even Chinese, Indian and Brazilian influences. We have found a sweet and sour recipe for you: chicken colombo with pineapple and grapes! …


"It's a rock! ... It's a cape! ... What am I saying? It's a pinnacle!" We all know this famous line from the play Cyrano de Bergerac, but have you heard of his author? We tell you all about Edmond Rostand, 19th century playwright and poet, and father of the famous Cyrano! …


Our B2 Advanced students have done their "devoirs" this session, and they have come up with multiple French expressions to use in your every day lingo, as well as some insightful reflections on today's world: Is it moving too fast? Is it too bad that in our current society, grandparents no longer live under the same family roof?  📚Find out what YOU could be working on if you were in Emmanuel's class on Saturday mornings!  …


Newspapers are often forgotten when it comes to learning a new language. Still, they are a great reading tool to develop your comprehension of the language. Magazines are also a great way to explore your many interests and enhance your French at the same  You can explore many interesting french newspapers and magazines on our Culturethèque e-library.  …


Zouglou is THE Ivorian music par excellence! This popular variety was born in the 80s, and today mixes Nouchi, French, and brings up to the present day some wild traditional rhythms. Although mainly Zouglou known for combining tradition and modernity, the history is very closely linked to that of Ivory Coast, we tell you everything in this post! …


What would Ivory Coast be without its gastronomy? From the meat of the bush to the most popular alcohols, we tell you everything about the flavors of the Ivory Coast! …


Do you know the history of Candlemas? Every year, February 2nd is the date when pancakes delight young and old gourmets. But do you know the history of Chandeleur? What is the origin of this day, and especially why do we eat French crepes ? We tell you everything! …


The French crepe is not only an emblematic culinary preparation from Brittany, it is also certainly one of the easiest French meals to prepare. Whether with brown sugar, chocolate, cheese or served with a salad, this fine milk-based preparation delights young and not-so-young all year round. …


Head to West Africa, to discover one of the emblematic dishes of the Ivory Coast : the Fufu !
Whether it is made of cassava, plantains, or potatoes, this tasty dish is a must-try with a light salad, a chicken soup or a sauce, depending on your tastes. …


Did you know that this year’s Prix Goncourt went to a Senegalese novelist, making him the first writer from sub-Saharan Africa to be awarded France’s oldest and most prestigious literary prize? Would you be surprised to learn that Senegal is among the 11 African countries working on the Great Green Wall  project to plant trees across the African continent, creating a natural barrier to hold back the Sahara Desert from climate change? …


 Camembert, one of the cheeses that symbolize the French heritage. With its fluffy rind and creamy, melting center that we sometimes just like to eat with a crusty baguette... Enjoy this comfort-food recipe, ultra-gourmet and so simple that it is impossible to miss!  …

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Tel: +1 (415) 775-7755
E-mail: afsf@afsf.com

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