The Alliance Française de Providence, a distinguished cultural and educational institution, is committed to promoting French and Francophone culture and language in Rhode Island. Established in 1901, it serves as a dynamic center for over 2,500 members and friends, offering a Language Center that conducts French classes for adults and children at all proficiency levels. Besides French, the center welcomes students interested in Spanish, Italian, Arabic, and Haitian Creole, with all instructors being native speakers.
Operating as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Alliance Française de Providence is overseen by a volunteer French-American Board of Directors. It functions independently, sustaining itself through membership fees, fundraising initiatives, and the services offered by its Language Center. With a storied past tracing back to its inception as the third chapter in North America, the Alliance has stood as a pillar of the Providence community for over a century, nurturing cultural exchange and camaraderie between French and American communities.
As part of a global network comprising over 800 chapters in 136 countries, the Alliance Française de Providence maintains strong ties to the Fondation Alliance Française in Paris. Through partnerships with other French-speaking entities in Rhode Island, such as the Museum of Work and Culture and the French-American School, the Alliance actively champions French language and cultural legacy. By hosting events like Francofête and Cine Quebec, the Alliance contributes to a lively celebration of the French-speaking world within the local community.
