Serving Vancouver since 1904

Alliance Française Vancouver has a long history of serving the community by providing French language programs and promoting local and international francophone cultures through the events it organises. As one of Vancouver’s oldest not-for-profit organizations, Alliance Française Vancouver is recognized for its commitment to quality education and diverse cultural programming.

Alliance Française Vancouver in the community
Each year, Alliance Française Vancouver collaborates with over 50 local arts and cultural groups and artists. Alliance Française Vancouver is an active member of the BC Federation of Francophones which advocates for the welfare of the minority francophone community in BC. Alliance Française Vancouver is also part of a global network of Alliances Françaises regrouping 834 centres in 132 countries. Each member of the network is independent and autonomous. Alliance Française Vancouver recently joined the Réseau International des Maisons des Francophonies (RIMF) regrouping organizations working to promote a plural, diverse and inclusive Francophonie around the world, including here in Canada. This network comprises of over 30 organisations from 16 different countries.

A local and independent organisation with oversight by an elected board of directors
Alliance Française Vancouver is a Canadian not-for-profit organisation, incorporated under the Societies Act of the Province of British Columbia. It is a registered Canadian charitable organization. It operates autonomously and independently, without any political or religious affiliation with oversight by an elected board of directors who are volunteers and locally-based. While it benefited from the support of the French government in the past, AFV has been 100% self financed since September 2014.

Key milestones in our long history:

1904

Alliance Française Vancouver was founded by the early Francophone and Anglophone settlers of Vancouver.

1947 - 1968

Mr. Charles Bloch-Bauer, originally from Vienna, turned the social group into a true language and cultural centre with full time staff. He raised funds to purchase land and build a permanent home for Alliance Française Vancouver.

1955

Alliance Française Vancouver is incorporated as a non-profit society under the Society’s Act of the Province of British Columbia.

1968

Alliance Française Vancouver’s building opens at 6161 Cambie Street thanks to the generous support of the community.

1970's

More cultural programs in its space, theatre, art exhibitions, culinary and fitness programs. The Official Language Act allowed Alliance Française Vancouver to diversify its education programs. Teachers went from school to school in Vancouver. Alliance Française Vancouver started a bursary at UBC and SFU.

1986

Part of Vancouver Expo 1986 and facilitated a gift of 100 rose bushes from the French government. The roses were planted in Stanley Park.

1996

The City proclaimed Alliance Française Vancouver to be a valued partner and distinguished contributor to the cultural life of the citizens of Vancouver since 1904.

2003

Alliance Française Vancouver offered courses in Coquitlam, Burnaby, Surrey, Vancouver and Richmond for immigrants from Asia.

2004

The City proclaims May 5th as Alliance Française de Vancouver 100th anniversary Day.

2018

Alliance Française Vancouver is nominated as an historic place in B.C. through the Francophone Historic Places Recognition Project led by the B.C. Francophone Affairs Program.

2016
to present

Alliance Française Vancouver is working on an ambitious building project to match its excellence in education and cultural programming.

SOME STATISTICS ABOUT THE FRANCOPHONE COMMUNITY IN BC*

60% of Francophones in British Columbia live in Metro Vancouver
50% of BC francophones come from Europe, 22% from Asia and 18% from Africa
Enrolment in French immersion has increased 30% in the past decade

*from the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada

History