What We Do
Notre Histoire
La Renaissance Française, USA, the American Delegation of La Renaissance Française, founded in Paris in 1916, aims to recognize persons who have raised awareness of the French language and francophone cultures among people living in the United States. The American Delegation will act at all times in harmony with the policies of La Renaissance Française.
President Raymond Poincaré,
Founder of La Renaissance Française
Our Mission
The international organization's mission continues its intent to promote francophone culture, to work for peace through understanding and engagement, and to recognize the merits of those who distinguish themselves in responding to this mission.
La Renaissance Française created the first French-speaking institutional initiative.
In recent years, La Renaissance Française has broadened its mission to include the promotion of French culture generally, as a cradle of humanism and respect for all beliefs and nationalities. The delegations of La Renaissance Française outside France strive to promote encounters between French and French-speaking cultures and those of the countries where they operate, as well as to encourage their dialogue and mutual understanding.
In the 1980s the organization extended its reach to include all French-speaking countries. Accordingly, delegations were formed in countries recognizing French as an official language, such as Switzerland, Canada, and Belgium. In addition, numerous delegations have since been formed in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America.
The Residence of France in the United States
The Residence of France in the United States, Washington, DC The beautiful Tudor Revival mansion, built in 1910, has been the official residence of the French Ambassador since 1936.
On October 9, 2009, the United States Delegation of La Renaissance Française held its first official meeting at La Maison Française at New York University, courtesy of Professor Tom Bishop. La Renaissance Française, USA, continues its cooperative tradition of Americans selecting honorees in the United States to be considered for awards by La Renaissance Française in Paris.
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We express our appreciation to Antoine Guerrier de Dumast, past president of La Renaissance Française, at whose initiative the Delegation in the United States was founded.
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The Residence of France has served as the setting of past award ceremonies, under the auspices of the French Ambassador to the United States, who serves as the President d'honneur de la Renaissance Française, USA.
Who We Are Today
The American Delegation consists of board members from across the United States of America. Our patrons are from all parts of the country, and each bring a unique story to the table when it comes to their relationship with the French culture.
More About La Renaissance Française
Check out this short 5 minute French video on the history of la Renaissance Française International which has many current events throughout the world including USA.
Our Grants
Talented actor and director, André Nerman, shares his in-depth knowledge of the great French playwright, Molière. Presented by Fédération des Alliances Françaises USA thanks to the Jane M. & Bruce P. Robert Charitable Foundation and La Renaissance Française, USA.
Congressional French Caucus
The French Caucus is a bipartisan, bicameral congressional member organization, dedicated to enhanced USFrench relations in the spirit of partnership and cooperation. Since its inception in 2003 under the leadership of the Honorable Amory Houghton, the Caucus has fostered dialogue and multicultural understanding around both policy debates and cultural events that contextualize the depth and dynamic nature of French-American relations.