Alliance Francaise de Lyon
Language school in Lyon, France
The Alliance Française de Lyon is a private higher education institution teaching French as a foreign language, and an official examination centre recognised by the French Ministry of National Education. It is located at 11 rue Pierre Bourdan in Lyon's 3rd district, about 15 minutes' walk from Part-Dieu station, and welcomes more than 1,200 students a year. Courses follow the CEFR, cover levels A1 to C1 and are taught by teachers with a master's degree and FLE certification, using a communicative, action-oriented method.
- Intensive morning courses
- Evening courses
- Online courses
- Private lessons and language workshops
- Exam preparation for DELF, DALF and TCF
- FLE training courses for teachers
Courses run in sessions of two or four weeks. Students who need a visa must enrol for at least four months; the school provides an enrolment certificate for the visa application but does not handle the visa itself. A housing assistance service helps international students find a place in university residences, serviced studios or host families. The building is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility.
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Programmes
- Intensive course: 80 hours per month, Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 13:00 (A1-C1)
- Extensive evening course: 20 hours per month, Tuesday and Thursday, 18:00 to 20:00
- Online course (A2-B2), Monday and Wednesday evenings
- The Paris-Lyon Escape: two-week afternoon programme (A1-C2)
- Private lessons and French language workshops
- Preparation for DELF, DALF and TCF exams
- FLE training courses for teachers
Admission
Students enrol online, pay a €70 registration fee (valid for one year) and receive an enrolment certificate; a placement test follows once enrolment is confirmed. Enrolling at least 45 days before the course starts is recommended to secure a place. For stays of four months or more (needed for a visa), students can pre-register at least three months in advance with a 30% deposit per session. The school does not handle visa applications and refers students to Campus France in their country; course fees are refunded if the visa is refused, on proof.
Duration
Courses run in sessions of two or four weeks and can be booked for one month, three months or longer. Weekly hours range from 4 hours (evening courses) to 20 hours (intensive courses, 80 hours per month). Students applying for a visa must book at least four months of courses at 80 hours per month.
Deadlines
In the 2026 calendar, a new session starts every month; the remaining 2026 sessions run from 26 October to 20 November and from 23 November to 18 December 2026. Enrolment at least 45 days before the start of a session is recommended to secure a place. Students staying four months or more who pre-register must do so at least three months before the course starts and pay the balance no later than 45 days before.
Housing
The Alliance Française de Lyon runs a housing assistance service for its international students, with options in university residences (Crous), host families and furnished studios in serviced residences. The service costs €120 for stays of 1 to 6 months and €200 for stays of up to 7 months, and the fee is refunded if no accommodation is found. To use it, students must be at least 18, take at least 20 hours of classes per week and apply at least 60 days before their course starts.
Accreditation
Subjects taught
- Philology, Languages, Literature
- Language Courses
- Language Courses and Cultural Immersion Programs
- French Language and Literature (in Language Schools)