page_title: Alliance Française de Washington
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Alliance Française de Washington / History
caption_attribution_description: House of Alliance Francaise de Washington
context_page_description: The Alliance Française of Washington is a non-profit, non governmental cultural and educational American association. Its mission is to promote the French language and Francophone cultures in the Capital Region, as well as intercultural exchanges, within the context of the international network of the Alliance Française
context_section_description: In 1883, Jean-Jules Jusserand, the French ambassador to the United States and one of the founding fathers of the Alliance Française de Paris, encouraged the capital's French-American  to establish an Alliance Française in Washington. It was achieved in 1905.
  In 1910, the Alliance counted 93 members and a staff of eight volunteers.
  By 1945, however, the Alliance had met its demise due to the closing of the French Embassy during the Vichy regime.
  In 1949, André De Limur, a French officer voluntarily engaged on the side of the Allies, and who had become a US citizen, agreed to revive the Alliance Française de Washington.
  De Limur went to Washington after the war and dedicated himself to the promotion of France. He was thus the first President of the Alliance Française de Washington from 1949 to 1963. Due to the political-social relations of De Limur, this Alliance proved useful place for diplomatic services.
  Marguerite La Follette served as President and Executive Director of the Alliance Française de Washington from June 1963 until 1989. During this time, the Alliance was immersed in various projects, the most important of which was the purchase of its current site at 2142 Wyoming Avenue, in the Kalorama neighborhood, in 1970.
  Eventually in its development, the Alliance demonstrated a need for professional administration, programs and accounting. In 1990 Dominique Choserot was sent as teacher and Executive Director. Daniel Blondy succeeded Choserot in 1993, serving until 1998. Laurent Mellier assumed the post in 1998 and served until 2010 when Thomas Chaurin replaced him.
  Today, it counts more than 3,200 members and more than 4,000 registrations in French classes a year. Its operating budget ($1.5 million) comes from tuitions, memberships and contributions (individuals, corporations and foundations.)
  With a Board of Directors of 24 members, it has 12 employees, 25 teachers and c. 60 volunteers.
caption: AFDC House
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