Origins

The Victoria branch of the Alliance Francaise was founded in 1907. With humble beginnings, its activities included a few lectures and meetings held twice a month at the fine arts gallery on Moss St. But it remained active all throughout the years and expanded into giving French classes in the 1960s.

A centennial association

The AFV, having celebrated its 100th year in 2007, has been able to regenerate itself despite the troubled times. Having as its first goal the growth of the French language in Victoria, we organize high quality cultural activities, in addition to well-appreciated conferences in French. With volunteers devoted to our goal, and with the support of other local organisations admiring its success, we continue our mission to promote French language and culture in Victoria.

Alliance Française Victoria today

Alliance Française Victoria is one of the oldest language school for French in Victoria.

With our team of qualified native French-speaking teachers, we offer a large range of courses, including specialised classes, private tuition, workshops and more.

In 2025, Alliance Française Victoria joined forces with Alliance Française Vancouver to become Alliance Française Canada Pacific. Together, they are stronger to promote the French language and francophone cultures on the West Coast of Canada. 

Our Mission

Alliance Française Victoria encourages and promotes active, open connections between people in and French language and francophone cultures. It provides the means by which people can learn the French language and become engaged in the many different aspects of francophone cultures including art, books, poetry, film, history, gastronomy, contemporary affairs, thoughts and ideas. It provides the opportunity for friends of French language and francophone cultures to come together in an apolitical, non-religious and welcoming environment.

Our Vision

Alliance Française Victoria will be seen by people in Victoria as the premier institution for all things related to French language and francophone cultures.

It will achieve this vision through:

• Reaching a broad base of people throughout Victoria, including beginner students of all ages and expatriate French nationals. It will continue to understand their interests and needs and then meet them through a wide range of affordable activities and services, accessible in a variety of locations

• Providing the highest quality of French language education from qualified, native French-speaking teachers

• Offering a high standard of teaching facilities and advanced teaching methods using current technologies and multi-media tools

• Working in collaboration with other francophone organisations and with other cultural institutions as appropriate

• Providing a working environment which attracts the highest quality management, teachers and staff who are intimately connected with French language and culture.

Alliance Française Victoria will ensure continued relevance in the changing world and will grow in terms of students, members and variety of activities.