Promoting French language and culture for over 100 years

French in Local Culture: Film, Conversation, Petanque


French Films in Portland

French films are shown at local theaters including Living Room Theaters (at SW 10th and Stark), Cinema 21, Hollywood Theater, Regal Fox Tower 10, and the NW Film Center. Receive email notifications about current French films by joining the Alliance's free bulletin (form is on the home page). The Alliance also has a large lending library of French classics and current films on DVD, for loan to members, at no charge.

French Conversation Groups in Portland

Alliance Française de Portland - Groupes de Conversation à la boulangerie St. Honoré, at Fenouil Restaurant (in the bar) and at Lapellah Restaurant

Alliance Française conversation groups are hosted by native-speaking Alliance teachers or staff members. Participation is free. No pre-registration is required. All levels are welcome.

  • First and third Wednesdays of each month at 6 - 7 p.m., @ St. Honoré Boulangerie at 2335 NW Thurman Street (NW Portland)
  • Fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., @ the bar of Fenouil Restaurant in the Pearl, 900 NW 11th Ave.
  • First Tuesday of each month at 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., @ Lapellah Restaurant (2520 Columbia House Blvd) in Vancouver, Wash.,
  • Contact: info@afportland.org, 503.223.8388

    NORTHWEST PORTLAND

    Alliance Group at St. Honoré Boulangerie at 2335 NW Thurman Street (see details above)

    Groupe francophone

    Meets Saturdays from 10:30 to 12 at Sweet Masterpiece Chocolate and Coffee Bar in the Pearl, at 922 NW Davis. This group tends to be for advanced/fluent levels.
    Contact: David Gardner

    SOUTHEAST PORTLAND

    Chez Machin Group

    Meets the 2nd Monday of each month, 7:00-8:30pm, Chez Machin, 3553 SE Hawthorne Boulevard
    Contact: Jennifer Coyne (jennifer.r.coyne@lycos.com)

    SOUTHWEST PORTLAND

    Samedi au Village

    Grand Central Bakery - Multnomah Village, 3425 SW Multnomah Boulevard, Portland, OR 97219
    Meets on Saturdays, 15h30-17h (3:30-5:00pm)
    Contact Stephane Cohen stephanecoh@yahoo.com

    NORTH and NE PORTLAND

    Costello's Travel Caffe

    Fourth Tuesday of the month, 2222 NE Broadway, Portland, OR 97232, 19h (7pm)
    503.287.0270, www.costellostravelcaffe.com

    North Portland Language Exchange

    Each Tuesday, 7:00 to 8:00pm, 512 N. Killingsorth St., Portland, OR 97217
    503.988.5394, www.multcolib.org and search on French under Events.

    Vancouver, Washington

    See the Alliance groups listed above for the Vancouver group.

    For info on additional conversation groups also check Xavier Sudre's site.

    Le Samedi Français (pour les enfants) -- Animé par La Crèche Nursery (fee-based)

    Mon parent et moi - pour les 12-semaines à 36-mois de 8h30 à 10h: chants, jeux de mains, petites comptines... avec les parents. Contact Anna-Gaelle Hendrix for further info.
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    Pétanque in Portland

    Portland Pétanque Club - Play Pétanque in Portland; website

    The Portland Bouligans - Portland's #1 Pétanque Club (Jamison Square Park); website.
    Located in the heart of the Pearl: Jamison Square, Portland, OR 97209 ;Wednesdays at 4pm, Saturdays at 10am; email for more info: Shaughn McClurg