Our Identity
Founded in 2010, Alliance Française d’Arabie Saoudite (AFAS) is the official French language institute and Cultural center in Saudi Arabia.
Founded in 2010, Alliance Française d’Arabie Saoudite (AFAS) is the official French language institute and Cultural center in Saudi Arabia.
We are part of the global Alliances Françaises network, counting more than 800 branches around the world, a more than 130 years old Institution, widely recognized and acclaimed for the quality of its teaching services and cultural events.
Alliance Francaise of Saudi Arabia has four branches across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: two in Riyadh, As Safarat established for the past 10 years in the heart of the Diplomatic Quarter, and Ar Rabih, in te North of the city, one each in Jeddah and in Al Khobar. We also operate in Al-Ula in partnership with the Royal Commission for Al-Ula and in the cities of Yanbu and Mecca in partnership with the local chambers of commerce.
Widely recognized for the quality of its educational programs, we offer French courses for adults and children, groups, private or corporate courses as well as conversation and translation workshops and Arabic courses.
Alliance Francaise of Saudi Arabia caters for all needs and can develop custom made programs on request. As the only authorised examination center for DELF-DALF and TCF diplomas in the Kingdom, we organize regular exam sessions allowing our students and external candidates to certify their French level and assert their language skills in order for them to successfully pursue their academic or professional projects.
In partnership with the French Embassy and other Saudi-based institutions, we offer a diverse and exciting cultural program throughout the year. Conferences, concerts, workshops, film screenings, festivals and many other events are organized in order to experience and share the passion for French language and culture within the framework of a constant dialogue with the Arabic and Saudi language and culture.
The Alliance Française is created on the initiative of the ambassador Paul Cambon. He has the support of a committee composed of eminent personalities such as Ferdinand de Lesseps, Louis Pasteur, Ernest Renan, Jules Verne, and Armand Colin to improve the French cultural development abroad.
The first Alliances open in Barcelona, Senegal, Mauritius and Mexico.
Asia swiftly follows the general trend, creating the first Alliance Française in India. The Alliance Française de Melbourne opens the following year.
The Alliance Française of Paris opens its first classes, on boulevard Saint Germain.
The first Alliance Française in Montreal and the foundation of the Federation of the Alliances in America are created.
The French language school of Paris moved to boulevard Raspail and the highly popular “École pratique de langue française” is opened.
The French school of Paris is closed by the Nazis during the Second World War. For the 60th anniversary of the Alliance Française, General De Gaulle makes an historic speech in Algiers, reaffirming its vocation.
The chapter of the Alliance Française de Hong Kong is created.
The centenary of the Alliance is celebrated in the presence of the French President, François Mitterrand.
The Fondation Alliance Française is created and recognised as a public interest organisation. The Fondation is the moral and legal reference of Alliances Françaises. Its aim is to coordinate the actions of the network and its expansion. Gathering experts organised according to geographical zones, it acts close to the Alliances Françaises, giving them support and advice when they need.