1985-2025: the Alliance Française has already been established in Toulouse for 40 years. Compared to other Alliances Françaises, the one in Toulouse is young. And yet, it has just reached the canonical age... 

Founded by Pierre and Monique Tarabbia, who went on to devote three decades of their lives to the school, AFT's teaching and cultural activities were housed in a building on the famous Place du Capitole. Internationally renowned for the excellence of its teaching and the friendliness of its members (teachers, activity leaders, administrative staff), the Alliance de la ville rose grew steadily until 2018. But the premises had become too cramped, and the Alliance had to find sufficient space to accommodate the 1,500 learners it welcomes every year. So the AFT acquired 800 m2 of space in a beautiful historic building (a former barracks!), co-owned with the Toulouse City Council. This space was completely renovated so that the team and students could live and work comfortably in perfectly adapted teaching conditions.

The ordeal of Covid jeopardised the AFT like so many other establishments, and the recovery lasted a few years before our Alliance regained its students, a satisfactory volume of activity and good financial health.

In addition to general French courses (levels A1 to C2), the teaching team also provides phonetic correction courses, courses on request for group trips, French for specific purposes courses and exam preparation. The Alliance is also a DELF and TCF examination centre.

Today, strengthened by its strong local roots, AFT is creating new projects that highlight the cultural identity of its region. The result is the Douce France, This programme combines the teaching of our language with the discovery of French culture, in its Occitan expression, through visits to heritage sites, authentic encounters and gastronomic experiences.

On 18 September, some 130 guests, including the representative of the Foundation, as well as the presidents and directors of the Alliances de France, gathered for a joyous celebration. The (moving) speeches, the (gastronomic) buffet, the champagne and the music delighted the participants in the magnificent park next to the building of the new Alliance Française de Toulouse!

Françoise CANTAREL, Alliance Française de Toulouse

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Read morearticle on Fil d'Alliances n°67 (Autumn/Winter 2025)