Today, we celebrate International Francophonie Day by reflecting on “Soiree Commune,” the vibrant, collaborative event that kicked-off Festival de la Francophonie at the Alliance Française de Chicago. Our annual Festival de la Francophonie celebrates French-speaking cultures around the world through a series of diverse, accessible programs. The festival embodies what is important to us as an organization: cultural curiosity, exploration of art in all of its forms, the importance of language, and the joy of community. 🌍
Named the “Best Language Instruction” institution in the city by the Chicago Reader, The Alliance Française de Chicago proudly serves as the city's hub for French language learning and cultural exchange. AF-Chicago is known for its high quality French language school, ever-evolving lineup of diverse cultural programs, and increasingly popular annual events, notably Bastille Day, Symposium, and the Festival de la Francophonie. 🇨🇵
To experience all that the Alliance has to offer, become a member! Our members enjoy free entry to most cultural events, discounts on French classes, special perks from our partners, and free borrowing at our on-site and virtual libraries. We offer a variety of membership options, including discounted memberships for seniors, young adults, and families.
There’s a place for you at AF-Chicago. We can’t wait for you to join us. ❤️
#journéeinternationaledelafrancophonie #internationalfrancophonieday #festivaldelafrancophonie #afdechicago #artsandculturechicago #learnfrench #discover
🎡 Best of Chicago 2025 | Best Language Instruction 🏆
We are deeply honored to be named by the people of Chicago in the City Life category of the @chicago_reader Best of Chicago : Best Language Instruction 🇫🇷
For more than a century, the Alliance Française de Chicago has been part of the cultural life of this city, welcoming Chicagoans, Francophones and Francophiles through our doors to discover a language, a culture, and a global community.
Some arrive for a French class.
Others for a film, a concert, a conversation, or to browse the Brown Library.
Many come as members, volunteers, students, neighbors.
And over time, something beautiful happens:
students become teachers, volunteers become leaders, members become board members, and friendships become lifelong ties to the Francophone world.
This recognition belongs to the entire community that keeps the Alliance vibrant: our teachers, staff, members, partners, and the thousands of Chicagoans who believe that language and culture can bring people together.
It felt especially meaningful to receive this news during our flagship celebration, the Festival de la Francophonie, a reminder that Chicago is a city that embraces cultures from around the world.
With that inspiration, our team remains deeply committed to serving this city through language, ideas, and cultural exchange.
Our next session of French classes begins April 11.
And if you ever wondered what it might be like to work in a place where culture, language, and community meet, we can confirm: it’s a beautiful place to be.
Merci, Chicago. 🇫🇷❤️🏙️
#BestOfChicago #AllianceFrancaiseChicago #ChicagoCulture #Francophonie #LearnFrench #ChicagoCommunity
French classes, cultural events, library, and everything in between. We have you covered for all things French in Chicago 💛🌇
Save this post and explore more at the link in our bio.
#AFdeChicago #LearnFrench
🐸⭐️We had so much fun watching “La Frog Royale,” a French/English bilingual improv show by FrogProv. Our audience laughed all night and no doubt got their fill of bilingual silliness! Merci mille fois à @frogprov for spending another wonderful evening with us! #frogprov #bilingualimprov #learnfrench #chicago #afdechicago
Tabling at Pulaski International Night during golden hour ✨ Un grand merci to everyone who stopped by to chat with us about AF-Chicago, grab a free French book, and make a bracelet! We hope to see you soon 💙♥️ #tabling #internationalnight #goldenhourchicago #afdechicago
What makes a wine taste the way it does — the grape, or the place it’s grown?
Join Alicia Barrett for an interactive tasting that explores one of wine’s most fascinating questions through a guided comparison of six wines made from the same grape varieties, grown in different regions around the world.
This Wednesday May 20 at 6:30 pm with Alicia Barrett, Chicago-based educator for the U.S. Champagne Bureau, and founder of Wine Connection, which specializes in bespoke wine tastings for corporate and non-profit clients.
Get your tickets now!
This intermediate tasting is aimed at those with some wine knowledge who are looking to improve their tasting skills.
#WineTasting #WineEducation #ChicagoEvents #WineRegions #WineLovers
🎷 Opening Night Tonight 🥁
🌳 Our beloved plein air concert series is back with a performance by Chicago-based French soprano Gabrielle Goudard, accompanied by her full band, who will enchant you with an hour of French jazz.
🥂 Guests will enjoy complimentary French rosé in the company of their fellow Francophiles and music lovers.
Thursday, May 14• 6:30 PM
$35 Members · $50 Non-Members
🔗 TICKETS
NOTE: As we wait for summer temperatures to return, this special edition will move indoors, transforming the evening into a warm, vibrant escape filled with music, atmosphere, and jazzy energy.
This program is made possible through the generous support of Mary Ellen & Kevin Connellan.
Concert Alert!!
🪈Steve Yépez with Jeff Panko
A springtime flute performance
Join us as we have the honor to host flutist Steve Yépez, accompanied by pianist Jeff Panko.
Where colliding worlds will make you experience a kaleidoscope of sound.
🥂 Did we mention the one bottle of rosé per table (4)?
🎟️GET YOUR TICKETS BEFORE THEY SELL OUT
Thursday, May 21
6:30 pm
Steve and Jeff will perform the following pieces: • Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune Claude Debussy (1862-1918) • Sonata Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) • Sonata Yuko Uébayashi (b. 1958)
The first piece by Debussy will take us back in time to visit the World’s Fair of 1889.
The second piece will move us forward in time from the Paris Exposition to the 1950s.
#chicago #chicagoconcert #francophile #francophone
⭐🎶🎤 Guess Who's Back?
Our beloved plein air concert series is back, Thursday, May 14, with a performance by Chicago-based French soprano @gabriellegoudard_sop , accompanied by her full band.
Gabrielle and her musicians will enchant you with an hour of French jazz while you enjoy a complimentary glass of French rosé in the company of fellow Francophiles and music lovers.
As we wait for summer temperatures to return, this special edition will move indoors, transforming the evening into a warm, vibrant escape filled with music, atmosphere, and jazzy energy.
This usually sold-out event promises to be just as unforgettable indoors as it is under the stars.
Act now to secure your spot! This popular event is likely to sell out.
Get your tickets via our link in the bio
Thursday, May 14 | 6:30 pm
AFC (810 N Dearborn St)
In English & French
$35 Members · $50 Non-Members
Who is excited to see Gabrielle perform?
This program is made possible through the generous support of Mary Ellen & Kevin Connellan.
What’s not to love about French food?! 🫕🥖🍷🍮 There are a FEW SPOTS LEFT in this fun 4-week Express Class on the flavors of France! Explore the structure of French meals, build vocabulary around seasonal ingredients, and learn about regional specialties - all while practicing speaking skills. This course is held ONLINE on Fridays from 12-1pm (so you can enjoy some lunch while you learn 🥪🥗). Register SOON using the link in our bio! (“Select Express Classes”). Spots are limited! #gastronomiefrançaise #frenchfood #learnfrenchonline #chicago #afdechicago
Calling all twenty-somethings! Your French era starts here. ⭐️
Are you curious about the French language and Francophone cultures? Want to fill up your calendar with fun, diverse social events? Are you looking to join a community rooted in purpose? 🇫🇷 🌎 🎉
If this sounds like you, check out our Young Adult Membership. We offer this membership to anyone ages 18-30 at a discounted price of $100.
Don't worry, you'll get your money's worth. Here's what's included:
∙ Discounts on French classes
∙ FREE participation in French discussion cafés
∙ FREE entry to most cultural events
∙ Special perks and discounts from our partners
∙ FREE borrowing at our on-site library, the Médiathèque
∙ FREE access to our virtual library, the Culturethèque
To learn more about what membership could look like for you, visit the link in our bio and select "Become a Member."
#youngadults #learnfrench #culturallycurious #membership #afdechicago
