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The Mission of Alliance Française Nashville

Alliance Française de Nashville is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to promote the French language and francophone cultures and to foster exchanges between French speakers throughout Middle Tennessee. To fulfill this mission, AFN organizes cultural events in the community, offers French classes and topical workshops, and funds two scholarships annually. AFN is also committed to providing a place where recent arrivals from francophone nations can make significant connections with other French speakers in Nashville.

Alliance Française USA

The Federation of Alliances Françaises USA was founded more than a hundred years ago as an umbrella organization embracing all AF chapters in the United States and Puerto Rico. The Federation’s mission is to support and encourage member chapters in their promotion of the language and culture of French-speaking countries. The Federation also promotes regional meetings and publishes a magazine and a newsletter. Additional support includes the resources of a Cultural Offerings à la carte Service and financial grants and awards to member chapters. Click here for more information about the Federation.

Alliance Française worldwide

Alliances Française was created in Paris in 1883 and now has more than 800 chapters in 132 countries. AF has three missions: to offer French language classes, to increase appreciation for the French culture and cultures of other francophone countries, and to promote cultural diversity by highlighting the value of all cultures. Learn more about Alliance Française worldwide.

AFN Board

The Board of Directors of Alliance Française de Nashville comprises dedicated volunteers who determine how to allocate the organization’s resources and efforts to maintain an ambitious schedule of programs, classes, events, and activities. Please do not hesitate to contact any Board member.

Amelie de Gaulle (President)
Ashley Hafer
Chris Floyd
Di Brevard (Secretary)
Elaine Naughton
Jerome Jourquin (Treasurer)
Jessie Angel (Library)
Julie Delorme
Justyna Kelley
Leslie Hinson (Education Chair)
Sandrine Salome (Education Chair)

AFN Remembers

With great sadness, we announce the death of our long time AFN member, board member and friend Joan Harshman, on July 1 st 2023.

Joan was instrumental in organizing the French Conversation group on Saturdays many years ago.

It started in a coffee shop with just a handful of participants back in the nineties, and thanks to Joan and her passion for French, became one of our most popular events over the years.

We offer her family and friends our warmest sympathies.

Joan Harshman (1930-2023)

Stephen Archibald Cobb, age 78, of Fort Myers, FL and Nashville, TN, passed away on Sunday, January 15, 2023. He was born on January 27, 1944.

Steve Cobb was an attorney practicing in Nashville, TN. A former member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, he dealt with the legislature for forty five years. Cobb represented the Tennessee Bar Association before the legislature as one of its legislative counsel and in the past devoted a substantial part of his practice to family law and immigration. He was a Fellow of the Tennessee Bar Association and a former president of the Nashville Bar. He taught at the University of Caen law faculty in France as a Fulbright Junior Lecturer.

He was instrumental in establishing the deep relationship between Nashville and Caen in France. You can hear Steve in his own words here.

Steve Cobb (1944-2023)

Years ago, Tom sashayed into AFN’s office for an evening of jeux de société. He didn’t know anyone there and hadn’t been personally invited, but he enjoyed competitions, trivia especially, and spoke excellent French–native speakers thought he was Belge—and by the end of the evening, he had a new pack of adoring francophone friends. Tom was involved in the creation of Alliance Française de Nashville before majoring in French at Rhodes College and furthering his studies in Virginia and France, so it was natural for him to return and hold court. He became a regular at AFN-adjacent events, where his wit and joy were evident and where he compelled us all to up our game. We will miss you immensely, Thomas Horton.

Thomas Horton (1966-2020)

Réjane Soucy was born in Montreal, Québec and used her bilingual skills to pursue a career, moving to Washington D.C., Huntsville, Alabama, and upon her retirement, Nashville, Tennessee. She shared her love of the French language by teaching employees at several companies including Square D and Schneider Electric, as well as tutoring many individual students who all became dear friends.

Réjane was known around Nashville as a fantastic dancer, and she found much joy from her association with the Alliance Française of Nashville. This is where she met many dear friends and the true love of her life, Joseph Parello. Réjane’s bright light will shine forever in the hearts and memories of the many people whose lives she touched.

Réjane Soucy (1927-2020)

Kathleen (Elizabeth) Wickes Ray died on February 14th 2018 at age 85. Born in Ticonderoga New York (August 20, 1932) she was the beloved daughter of Francis Allen Wickes and Marion Rodgers Wickes. Her parents, her brother, Douglas Robert Wickes, and her husband, Dr. Oakley Ray, former professor of Psychology at Vanderbilt University, preceded her in death.

Mrs. Ray held a degree in languages from Cornell University in Ithaca New York. She began her teaching career in Pittsburgh Pa., where she and her husband moved after getting married in 1954. She her family then settled in the Nashville area in 1969. She taught French at Aquinas College but also German, Russian and Spanish until her retirement in 1997.

Her passion in life was languages, in particular French. Her greatest joy was to travel to France with either her husband or her daughter and simply tour from town to town. She was a devoted member of the board of Alliance Française.

Kathy Ray (1932-2018)

Get in touch

Visit us

4004 Hillsboro Pike, Suite 237-B, Nashville, TN 37215
AFN is located in the Green Hills Court Shopping Center. Park and use stairs to 2nd level near Brushfire Pottery Studio.

Write us

P.O. Box 158646, Nashville, TN 37215