Featured Portland French Events
The Alliance Française holds cultural events throughout the year, large and small. They are mostly in English and are open to the public. Come join us!
Events Policy
The member discount is applicable for one ticket per member.
Guests must pay the non-member price. Please note that a reservation is only confirmed upon receiving payment.
If tickets are available, the Alliance can accept payment at the door by credit card, check, or cash.
Payment:
- Registration for Alliance Française events can be made in person at our office, over the phone, by mail, or through the web site.
- Please make all checks payable to: Alliance Française de Portland. We accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
Cancellations & Refunds:
- Refunds will be automatically issued if the Alliance cancels an event.
- If you need to cancel your registration for an event, you must do so at least 24 hours prior to the start of the program, and you will be fully credited toward a future event.
- Refunds must be requested in writing no less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled event and will incur a 4% credit card processing fee.
Click here for directions and parking information
French à la carte, the 4 week drop-in workshop series, returns this winter with a flurry of new offerings to fire up your French language skills. Each week explores a different topic or theme and are offered as drop-in workshops ($28) or purchase the bundle of four ($105) and save. Workshops begin January 11, 2021.
FRENCH LANGUAGE ORIENTED WORKSHOPS (A1 to C1)
The French 101 Learning Companion
For True Beginners, Tuesdays 6-7:30pm
Navigate the beginning of your French immersion journey with next to no stress. Build a solid foundation for your French immersion classes by learning the basics explained in English. Learn French fundamental linguistic elements and essential phrases. Consolidate what you have learned in your Edito classes or prepare yourself for future immersion classes. This workshop is especially recommended for true beginners who have just begun the Edito series level 101 at the Alliance.
Workshop 1- Pronouns, verbs avoir/être/s’appeler, introductions, tu and vous, alphabet, asking questions, numbers 0-15 and essential phrases for your first French interactions.
Workshop 2 - Days of the week/months/seasons, countries and nationalities, ER verbs, numbers 16-30 and modes of transportation.
Workshop 3 - Definite and indefinite articles, numbers 31-79, family, professions and...
Winter Term core classes are now open for registration. Choose from two five-week long modules, Winter 1: January 4 to February 6, or Winter 2: February 8 to March 13. Sign up for both parts in order to complete a level, or choose the first half and pick up the second part in the next term, if you like. All classes are taught on Zoom.
A core language curriculum is the fundamental key to learning success. Alliance Française offers Édito, Méthode de français as its cornerstone to mastering French. Whether a true beginner or advanced, there is an Édito class for every level of student.
Grammar is one of the most challenging skills to master in any language. Beginning winter 2021, Alliance will incorporate Grammaire progressive du français into the existing Édito series (true beginner through 104) to enrich the learning experience.
This winter choose from two five-week long modules, Winter 1: January 4 to February 6, or Winter 2: February 8 to March 13. Sign up for both parts, or choose just one. All classes are taught on Zoom.
Browse All Specialty Classes Online
Specialty and cultural classes are perfect to work on comprehension and communication skills. A certain level of French is required for each class. Please read carefully the pre-requisites for the class that interests you. If you're not sure about your level, take the self-assessment here. For further evaluation, please schedule an assessment with one of our teachers.
Specialty and Cultural Classes PDF List
Civilisation de la Francophonie
Curious about the rest of the francophone world? Take a break from core classes and put your French skills to work while improving your reading and communication. Through the text, Civilisation progressive de la francophonie, learn about the diversity and richness of societies outside of France; the culture and civilization, traditional dances, food, transportation and more.
This class is offered for B1/B2 level students. Prerequisites: Edito 206 or equivalent.
Click here to see available classes
Literature and History Classes
B1/B2 level students may enjoy studying Andrei Makin's Le Testament Francais,...
Bibliothèque. Médiathèque. Culturethèque.
Alliance Française de Portland is pleased to offer our members Culturethèque, a digital library at your fingertips. You will have access to a world of French language content for adults and children alike from your computer, tablet or smartphone. Explore the possibilities that Culturethèque has to offer.
Delve into thousands of books, periodicals and comic books. Discover the latest new authors. Rediscover a classic novel. Stay current with your favorite newspaper or magazine. Unlock your inner child while reading a bande déssinée. Try a new recipe from the many cookbooks. Introduce your child to French through content designed especially for children.
Enjoy the latest in French and world music including classical, jazz, pop and the standards. Go behind the scenes with artist interviews and concerts. Listen to audio books, catch a lecture or plug in to a podcast, all on the go.
Enrich your French language learning through a vast array of educational resources catered to every...
The Alliance’s free weekly conversation group on Zoom, run by board members and other volunteers, is available for drop-in conversation on Wednesday nights at 5:15pm.
It attracts 20-30 registrants who converse in small groups (Breakout Rooms) of 4-5 people for 3-4 segments of 14 minutes. The groups get re-created/mixed so that everyone gets to chat with a new group.
Levels include lower-intermediate to advanced and native-level speakers. Most high-A2 to C1 students can feel comfortable in this mixed-level conversational setting. Not sure of your level? Check in with the AF Portland office for guidance.
Sign up to be added to the reminder emails for upcoming sessions (no need to sign up again if you’ve already signed up for an earlier session). These free groups are for Alliance members only. Sign up here for memberships. (Just $36 provides membership benefits for a full year and is tax-deductible. )
Register for Apéro-Conversation Reminder Emails
This holiday season give yourself or a loved one the gift of wellness and self-care. Let Elisabeth Perucca, a French-born, certified yoga therapist and cancer survivor, guide you through an exploration of self-care, nutrition, movement, and resilience techniques for four weeks. Using her 15 years of experience in therapeutic yoga and wellness, Elisabeth now offers virtual workshops that are designed to help participants overcome personal difficulties during the pandemic and to set out on their own path to wellness and happiness. These four discussion workshops are led entirely in French.
Workshop 1 - Introduction : la connexion corps esprit
Workshop 2 - Bien manger, un art de vivre
Workshop 3 - Habiter son corps
Workshop 4 - La puissance de la joie
Workshops are offered on Thursdays 4:30-6pm, February 4 through 25. Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity and sign up now! Space is limited to 6 participants. B2/C1 French level highly recommended.
Register here
Read more about the origins of this workshop on Yoga for Renewal blog.
Author of 40 cookbooks, NY Times food writer Melissa Clark first fell in love with France and French food as a child. Join us to learn how these childhood experiences influenced her latest cookbook, Dinner in French, and be inspired to whip up a special Mardi Gras meal.
This event will be mainly in English, with some French vocabulary.
This event, produced in partnership with the Federation of Alliances Françaises USA, will be on Zoom and is free for all AF Portland members. If you are not a member, you can register for membership on the event registration form – easy!
Author and journalist Pamela Druckerman joins us via Zoom from her home in Paris to present her new rhyming picture book Paris by Phone, and discusses the myth of the American in Paris.
For many Americans, Paris isn’t just a place – it’s a solution, an idea of perfection and the ultimate Plan B. In her new children’s picture book Paris By Phone, Pamela Druckerman explores this through the story of one little girl. Josephine Harris is an ardent young Francophile who decides that Paris is where she really belongs. She even manages to travel there, using her magic phone. But then, oh là là! Despite the lovely things she saw, Josephine feels a certain je ne sais quoi.
Pamela is a contributing opinion writer at The New York Times and author of the best-selling Bringing Up Bébé. She’ll join us for a lively discussion about the genesis of her new book, her own experience as a Parisienne, and the history and meaning of the American-in-Paris story.
This event will be mainly in English, with some French vocabulary.
This event, produced in partnership with the Federation of Alliances Françaises USA, will be on Zoom and is free for all AF...
Join us for a special free virtual tasting event February 6 presented by WillaKenzie in partnership with the Alliance Française.
WillaKenzie Estate has deep roots in France. It was founded in 1991 by native Burgundian, Bernard Lacroute, and has a long history of France-inspired approaches to grape growing and winemaking. Its portfolio of estate grown wines reflects that French connection – Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Gamay Noir are some important role players.
Join WillaKenzie Estate winemaker Erik Kramer and Alliance Française de Portland’s François Wevers as they discuss WillaKenzie wines, classic French grape varietals and Burgundian influences.
RSVP to WillaKenzie Estates to receive the Zoom link.
Purchase the Alliance Française Trio to taste along with Erik and François:
2019 Estate Pinot Blanc (1 bottle)
2018 Gamay Noir (1 bottle)
2017 Aliette Pinot Noir (1 bottle)
$120.00, includes shipping in Oregon
Use Promo Code ALLIANCE at checkout.
Purchase the Alliance Française Trio
Place your order by February 2nd to receive wines in time for this virtual event.
*No additional savings apply to Alliance Française Trio.*
French for True beginners, Art Studio, Nature Explorers - Who’s ready for fun?
After the online school day has ended and with few after-school programs available this winter, your child may want or need some additional French practice in subjects sure to spark their imagination and curiosity. The Alliance Française de Portland is excited to offer a brand new after-school immersion program for children ages 5 through 10. Whether your child is a true beginner or well on their way toward fluency, you will find a perfect fit to enhance and enrich their online school activities with French language practice and, more importantly, fun.
Introductory Immersion classes welcome beginning French students with some prior French experience. Continuing Immersion classes are designed for those already experienced in French language immersion. French for True Beginners is designed for those who are just starting to learn the language.
This winter, all classes are offered in two five-week modules. Winter 2 runs February 8-March 12.
FRENCH FOR TRUE BEGINNERS - AGES 7-10
Children ages 7-10 are invited on a journey through the francophone world. Guided by Felix, Lila and their friends from ZigZag, the children will immerse themselves in French language through an action-oriented and intercultural...
Join Rhonda Garelick, cultural commentator and author of Mademoiselle: Coco Chanel and the Pulse of History in conversation with Pamela Druckerman.
Coco Chanel, born into poverty in rural France, was—by age 40—a multimillionaire and a household name. Her Chanel Corporation is still the highest-earning privately owned luxury goods manufacturer in the world. You can see Chanel’s taste reflected in what ordinary women wear: little black dresses, flat shoes, costume jewelry and cardigan sweaters. Yet her clothes also embody her own era, and were influenced by war, nationalism and social change.
How did Chanel do it? What was the woman herself really like? Rhonda Garelick and Pamelia Druckerman will explore Chanel’s unique genius for absorbing the zeitgeist and reflecting it back to the world in her designs.
Rhonda Garelick is dean of the School of Art and Design History and Theory, at Parsons School of Design/The New School in New York. She’s the author of three books, and writes on fashion and cultural politics for New York Magazine, The New York Times and many other publications. Garelick received her B.A. and Ph.D. in comparative literature and French from Yale.
Pamela Druckerman is the author of five books...
The Alliance Française of Portland teams with the French Quarter Magazine to present Valentine's Day with Paris Chansons! Celebrate love, life and friendship with the timeless music of Aznavour, Dassin, Piaf, Macias, Adamo, Dalida, Goldman, Zaz and more! Join us for a live concert on Zoom Sunday, February 14 at 4pm.
This concert will feature 4 members of the Paris Chansons ensemble: Jacob & Julia Kantor on vocals and guitar, Max Cohen on vocals, and Endre Balogh on violin.
Paris Chansons, the French band with a global twist, is based in Los Angeles. They're known for their original renditions of French favorites, from classic to contemporary artists. Paris Chansons has performed around the U.S. and recently at The Old Church in Portland. They hope to be back on tour again in the near future!
Get a taste of Paris Chansons here: https://youtu.be/t252MrD7vbo Watch the music video featuring their original version of Joe Dassin's classic “Et si tu n’existais pas - If you didn’t exist:" https://youtu.be/faOSlxTjw1o
Tickets are $15 for this live virtual concert. You'll receive the Zoom link on the day of the performance - please don't share it with anyone or on social...