The Alliance Française de San Francisco's blog


Discover the Basque cake, the culinary emblem of the Basque Country. This small golden and soft cake filled with pastry cream will delight your taste buds on long spring Sundays! 
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Find out what our Beginner 3 level students are capable of!  Jason, Alyson, Roger, Maureen & Morai are describing what their everyday life is like from dusk to dawn.  …


Head to Senegal with this delicious recipe for tuna pastels. Ideal for the aperitif, this recipe is easy to make and will surprise your guests! Serve them with a spicy sauce to follow the Senegalese tradition. …


Located on the west coast of the African continent, Senegal is a country bordered by Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau. Renowned for the hospitality of its people, Senegal is a crossroads of ethnicities and traditions, as well as a popular tourist destination!
Discover 5 things to know about Senegal! …


Get to know: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and the Little Prince, or one the most famous French stories to this day.  …


Born in 1943 in Paris, Catherine Deneuve is a French actress as well as an occasional singer, model, and producer considered one of the greatest French actresses of her generation. In numerous movies such as "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg", "The Young Girls of Rochefort", "Donkey Skin" or "Belle de jour", she has marked generations of moviegoers...
Here is all you need to know about  Catherine Deneuve!  …


An express and simplistic dish that will delight young and old for sure! Discover the recipe for potato rösti, a recipe from Switzerland, ideal for this winter period. …


Did you know that the worlds two most translated French authors are Belgian? Francophone authors Hergé and Georges Simenon honor their Belgian heritage with their French-language literature translated around the world. But the list doesn’t stop there of celebrated Belgian authors who have made their mark on French literature. …


Belgium is a country in Western Europe. It is bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France and the North Sea. Belgium is a developed country, with an advanced high-income economy. It also ranks as one of the safest or most peaceful countries in the world.

Discover here 5 things you probably don't know about Belgium! …


The Liège waffle is a specialty of the city of Liège in Belgium, that is based on pearl sugar which caramelizes while cooking. Crisp outside and soft inside, these delicious waffles can easily be made at home with a few simple ingredients... Bon appétit! …


Voici des "portraits aveugles" pour lesquels les étudiants ont fait le portrait de leur binôme sans regarder leur feuille.  …


French Christmas markets – or marchés de Noël – are a popular French Christmas tradition. Christmas markets take place in many cities throughout France, often starting the last weekend of November and running until the end of December. The festive stalls sell handmade gifts, food and mulled wine (vin chaud) for all to enjoy. …


Did you know that there are 309 different languages in Cameroon? And it is mainly because of its incredible linguistic and cultural diversity that Cameroon is today nicknamed "Africa in miniature »! Want to speak like a native? We suggest you discover some vocabulary from "Camfranglais"! …


Do you like a chill day on a beach or a hike in the mountains? Do you enjoy exploring the beauty of a green rainforest or a golden desert? If you answered yes to at least one of these, Cameroon is the right place for you to visit.  …


How about a culinary trip? Discover this recipe from Cameroon and very popular in the country! With its peanut and coconut milk sauce, this chicken will please everyone and make you travel from the first bite! …


Se faire la bise, un rituel très répandu en France qui panique souvent les Américains, habitués au bon gros "hug", et quelques gens du nord de l'Europe plus distants. Le nombre de bisous appuyés ou plus timides donnés sur la joue de la vague connaissance ou de l'ami proche que l'on rencontre varie énormément à travers le monde, et même d'un département à l'autre en France. La bise, en plus de son acte social visant à saluer ou à prendre congé de quelqu'un est certes une manifestation d'amitié, mais est aussi un signe fort d'appartenance locale. On avait l’habitude des tournées de bisous, même au bureau. Un rituel que l’épidémie  en plein regain a chamboulé. Définitivement?

La question qui a été posée en classe était de savoir si on pourrait vraiment se refaire la bise?
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There is no better way to get into the holiday spirit than reading some treasured Christmas titles, listening to music of the season or checking out the latest holiday menu and décor ideas. Your AFSF Culturethèque e-library is stocked for the season and ready to help you find everything you need.  …


Discover the recipe for chocolate mousse, a delicious French dessert that is quick and easy to make. Perfect to end the meal with a touch of sweetness to please both the kids, and the adults!  …


It is well known that many Quebecers use many funny expressions in their daily conversations. Indeed, Quebecois French is a dynamic language that offers a lot of unusual expressions, slang terms, and turns of phrase.
Discover here 5 funny Quebec expressions, their literal translations and their meanings!  …


In the mood for a little sweetness? Discover the recipe for maple syrup pie, a traditional Canadian pie from Quebec. It will delight young and old alike! …


Do you want to see what you can learn with the Alliance Francaise? Here is a production from our students, introducing us to a place.  …


Hachis Parmentier is a classic French recipe that is pure cold-weather comfort food. It's perhaps best described as the French version of Shepherd's Pie. It combines seasoned beef with a layer of potato puree and is topped with gruyere cheese. …


Each year in France, the authors of the best novels are awarded official literary prizes - including the prestigious Prix Goncourt, Prix Femina, Prix Renaudot, and more - with winners announced right before the holiday season. …


It is well known that France is the country of cheese! It is even a national pride. Since when have we eaten it? How do we differentiate them? How many of them are there? Why is cheese so loved by the French? …


Discover the recipe of Fumbwa, a lip-smacking, tasty dish from the Democratic Republic of Congo that is highly satisfying and nutritious! An ideal recipe for a nice culinary trip! …


Understanding climate change  and how we can all make a positive impact has become a global discussion.  The  COP26 climate summit brings world leaders together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. …


Les "Rochers Coco", are small, melt-in-the-mouth pastries deliciously flavored with shredded coconut. These gourmet bites can be prepared in just a few minutes and are perfect to accompany your tea or coffee break. …


The Democratic Republic of the Congo , or simply Congo, is a country in Central Africa. It is, by area, the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa, and the second-largest in all of Africa (after Algeria). With a population of around 105 million, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the most populous officially Francophone country in the world.  …


Nancy, winner of the Interalliances challenge and student at the Alliance Française de SF since 2020, tells us why and how she's learning French with the Alliance Française de San Francisco!  …


Beaujolais Nouveau Day is marked in France on the third Thursday in November with fireworks, music and festivals. Under French law, the new vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau is released to the world at 12:01 a.m., just weeks after the wine's grapes have been harvested. Parties are held throughout the country and further afield to celebrate the first wine of the season. …


Looking for a good comforting dish? Discover the recipe for Quiche Lorraine, a delicious pie filled with a mixture of beaten eggs, fresh cream and bacon. Originally from the Lorraine region, it has become a classic of French cuisine.
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Ocean Hackathon is a 48-hour challenge that aims to address the ocean’s greatest challenges by enhancing the value of marine and maritime data through innovation. San Francisco’s local edition will receive 8 challenges created by experts from NASA, Stanford, and Google X - to name a few. Between November 5 and 7, teams of 3 to 8 participants develop a prototype, build a business plan, refine their pitch and do their best to be chosen to represent their city during the Grand Finale in France! …


Tucked away on the French Riviera, the principality of Monaco is a city-state full of history and charm, where the Grimaldi family has reigned for hundreds of years. So what should you discover in the principality? We offer you a roundup of 10 things you absolutely must do if you visit Monaco!
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Discover the recipe of the Barbajuans, small fritters stuffed with chard leaves that are often eaten during Monegasque aperitifs. You'll love them!
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Synonymous with luxury and opulence, Monaco is known throughout the world for its casino, its 5* hotels and is a favorite playground for the rich and famous. Here are 5 facts to know about Monaco!
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Watching French movies and television series advances your language learning progress. And now your AFSF Culturetheque e-library offers you access to  great new service using French film extracts and games to deepen your understanding and absorb what you have learned through film. …


Wednesday, October 13th, the movie "Eiffel" with the actors Romain Duris and Emma Mackey was released in French theaters. For this occasion, we propose to let you discover the history of this emblematic monument, symbol of France since 1889.  
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Christian Dior: Destiny: The House of Diorʼs official biography reveals the secretive and surprising man who revolutionized fashion, with new insight on his spirituality and relationships and a contemporary perspective on his legacy. Learn more in this event with the fashion author Marie-France Pochna... …


Alerts to all food lovers! Discover this recipe for financiers, delicious almond cakes from the Lorraine region in France. These little cakes are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and will delight young and old...
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The long-anticipated release of the latest volume of the Astérix adventures was met with great enthusiasm. The new album entitled Astérix and the Griffin hit bookshelves worldwide on 21 October 2021 published in more than 20 languages and an initial print run of over 5 million copies. …


Members and staff of the Alliance Française de San Francisco are invited to attend a special preview screening of the film "The French Dispatch" which will take place at the AMC Metreon. 
Get one of the 20 Admit-2 passes... …


As part of the 400th anniversary of the birth of Jean de la Fontaine and the year of reading aloud, AFSF teachers and students worked on fables and reading for an inter-class project this summer 2021. Students of all levels were invited to read aloud a fable and record themselves (video or just audio). Discover their work... …


Discover today the recipe for Flan Coco, a recipe full of exoticism straight from the West Indies, and particularly famous in Guadeloupe. A creamy vanilla custard and a caramel upside down on top... this gourmet dessert will delight your taste buds for sure!   …


Paris Fashion Week is the pinnacle of the monthlong stretch of runway shows in New York and Europe each season, drawing celebrities, top editors and influencers alike. From September 27th  to October 5th, the capital got all dressed up to showcase the Printemps-Été (Spring-Summer) 2022 collections. …


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 several years. It is a pleasure to share some news about his last trip to Paris with you! …


Guadeloupe draws its culinary influences from France, India and Africa. The archipelago attracts a lot of attention from the foodie world for its unique blend of Creole delicacies, Caribbean touches and French classics. Whether you're visiting the island for a few days or an extended stay, here's what to eat in Guadeloupe, to explore its culinary art like a local.
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With its white sandy beaches, volcanoes and protected parks, not to mention some of the most beautiful diving spots in the world, Guadeloupe is a true paradise on earth. …


The crème caramel renversée, also called flan au caramel, has the particularity of presenting a layer of creamy caramel at the bottom of the pot. The less impatient can turn their cream over and see this caramel slowly running down the sides of the cream... You will be renversé (bowled over) how easy and fast this recipe is! …

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