International cultural cooperation constitutes a major dimension of French cultural policy and external action. In a context marked by globalisation, digital transformation and growing geopolitical competition in the cultural field, France continues to rely on culture as a strategic instrument of international influence, dialogue and cooperation. French international cultural policy combines the promotion of French language and culture abroad with broader objectives related to intercultural dialogue, artistic mobility, cultural diversity, support for cultural and creative industries, and multilateral cooperation.
This policy is based on a long-standing partnership between the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture. The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs oversees France’s cultural and educational network abroad, while the Ministry of Culture contributes expertise in artistic creation, heritage, cultural industries and professional cooperation. Coordination is ensured through dedicated departments for European and international affairs, as well as through joint programmes and bilateral agreements.
France maintains one of the largest cultural networks in the world. This network relies principally on the Institut français, (see chapter 1.4) created in 2011 to reinforce the coherence and visibility of French cultural diplomacy, and on the Alliance Française network, dedicated to the promotion of French language and Francophone cultures. Together with French embassies, cultural institutes, research centres and educational institutions abroad, these organisations support artistic exchanges, cultural programming, language teaching, professional mobility and intellectual debate across all regions of the world.
International cultural cooperation is also closely linked to educational, scientific and academic diplomacy. France supports a large network of French schools abroad coordinated by the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE), as well as higher education partnerships and international research cooperation. Institutions such as Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi illustrate the role played by French higher education in the country’s cultural influence strategy.
At multilateral level, France remains strongly engaged within major international organisations concerned with culture and heritage. As host country of UNESCO, France plays an active role in debates relating to cultural diversity, heritage protection, artistic freedom and cultural rights. France was among the principal advocates of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which continues to constitute a central reference for French cultural diplomacy and for the defense of public cultural policies internationally.
European cooperation also occupies a central place in French international cultural policy. France actively participates in the cultural programmes and initiatives of the European Union and supports the development of European cultural cooperation, mobility schemes and audiovisual regulation. French authorities have consistently defended the principle of “cultural exception” within European and international trade negotiations in order to preserve public support mechanisms for culture and media. France also contributes actively to the European Union National Institutes for Culture network, which strengthens cooperation between European cultural institutes worldwide.
The Francophone dimension remains another key pillar of French international cultural action. France plays a leading role within the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), which promotes the French language, cultural diversity, educational cooperation and cultural industries among Francophone countries. In recent years, French authorities have increasingly emphasised the demographic, geopolitical and economic importance of Francophonie, particularly in Africa, where the number of French speakers is expected to continue growing significantly in the coming decades. This renewed emphasis has also been reflected in national initiatives such as the opening of the International City of the French Language (Cité internationale de la langue française) at Villers-Cotterêts in 2023, a flagship project intended to promote the French language and its contemporary role worldwide.
French cultural institutions themselves contribute actively to international cooperation through touring exhibitions, co-productions, artist residencies, festival partnerships and professional exchanges. Major institutions such as Musée du Louvre, Centre Pompidou and the Festival de Cannes play an important role in France’s international cultural visibility and attractiveness. France also continues to organise large-scale bilateral “cultural seasons”, which promote artistic exchange and cultural dialogue with partner countries through multidisciplinary programming across both territories.
Territorial authorities increasingly contribute to international cultural cooperation through decentralised cooperation agreements, city-twinning initiatives, cross-border projects and European cooperation programmes. Regions and municipalities support international artistic mobility and cultural partnerships as part of their own territorial development and attractiveness strategies.
In recent years, French international cultural policy has also integrated new priorities linked to ecological transition, digital technologies and post-pandemic transformations. Greater attention has been devoted to sustainable mobility for artists and cultural professionals, digital dissemination of cultural content, online cooperation formats, the protection of copyright in the digital environment, and support for the international circulation of French cultural and creative industries, notably in cinema, audiovisual production, publishing, music, video games and digital creation.
Overall, French international cultural cooperation is based on a broad ecosystem combining diplomatic action, cultural institutions, educational cooperation, multilateral engagement and territorial partnerships. Its implementation relies on a diversified network of public operators and specialised agencies, which together support the international circulation of culture, knowledge and creative industries.
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Main features of French international cultural cooperation |
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· Culture remains a strategic component of France’s external action, serving objectives of international influence, intercultural dialogue, cultural diversity and support for creative industries. · French international cultural cooperation relies on a strong institutional framework, notably the partnership between the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture. · France benefits from one of the world’s largest cultural networks abroad, through the Institut français, the Alliance Française network, embassies, cultural institutes, schools and research centres. · Multilateral engagement remains a cornerstone of French cultural diplomacy, particularly through UNESCO, the promotion of cultural diversity and the defence of public cultural policies. · European cooperation plays a central role, with active participation in EU cultural programmes, support for cultural mobility and continued advocacy for the principle of cultural exception. · The Francophone dimension constitutes a major priority, with growing attention to the cultural, demographic and economic potential of Francophone countries, especially in Africa. · Cultural institutions themselves are major actors of international cooperation, through exhibitions, co-productions, residencies, festivals, professional exchanges and bilateral cultural seasons. · Territorial authorities increasingly contribute to cultural diplomacy, notably through decentralised cooperation, city partnerships, European projects and support for artistic mobility. · New priorities are reshaping international cultural cooperation, including digital transformation, ecological transition, sustainable mobility and the international development of cultural and creative industries. · Overall, the French model combines strong state leadership with multilevel and multi-actor cooperation, bringing together public institutions, cultural organisations, educational actors, local authorities and international partners. |
French international cultural cooperation is implemented through a dense and diversified institutional framework bringing together diplomatic services, specialised public operators, cultural institutions, educational agencies and territorial authorities. The system is coordinated primarily by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, and reflects the long-standing integration of culture into France’s external action and international influence strategy.
At governmental level, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs is responsible for the overall coordination of cultural diplomacy through its Directorate-General for Global Affairs, Culture, Education and International Development. The Ministry of Culture contributes expertise and policy guidance in areas such as artistic creation, cultural heritage, cultural and creative industries, professional cooperation and cultural rights. Together, the two ministries define strategic priorities and oversee the implementation of international cultural programmes.
The principal operator of French cultural diplomacy is the Institut français, which coordinates the network of around 100 French institutes worldwide. This public institution was established in its current form in 2011, but the development of the French international cultural network dates back from the beginning of the XXe century when the first institute abroad was settled in Florence in 1907. Operating in close cooperation with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture and with the French Embassies, the Institut français supports artistic mobility, cultural programming, intellectual debate, language promotion, professional exchanges and international cooperation projects. It also coordinates major bilateral cultural seasons and thematic programmes implemented in partnership with foreign cultural institutions and local authorities.
The Institut français and institutes abroad work in close cooperation with the Alliance Française network, which constitutes one of the world’s largest linguistic and cultural networks. Coordinated by the Alliance Française Foundation, created in 1883, it brings together more than 800 locally governed bodies in over 130 countries. While legally autonomous, Alliance françaises contribute significantly to the teaching of French and the promotion of Francophone cultures through language courses, cultural events and local partnerships.
Educational and academic cooperation is supported by several specialised agencies. The Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE) manages a global network of French schools educating more than 390,000 students worldwide and plays a key role in promoting French language and educational standards abroad. Campus France is responsible for promoting French higher education internationally and facilitating the mobility of students, researchers and academics. Together, these institutions contribute to France’s educational diplomacy and international attractiveness.
Research and scientific cooperation are supported through a network of around 30 French Research Institutes Abroad (IFRE), more than 160 French archaeological missions operating worldwide, and specialised institutions operating in various regions of the world. Historic institutions such as the Académie de France à Rome – Villa Médicis, the Casa de Velázquez in Madrid and the École française d’Athènes combine artistic, academic and cultural cooperation through residency programmes, research projects and professional exchanges (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, French archaeological missions abroad: supporting research and heritage protection, updated 2026).
Several specialised organisations support the international development of French cultural and creative industries. Unifrance promotes French cinema and audiovisual production abroad, working closely with the Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC). The Bureau international de l’édition française (BIEF) supports the international circulation of French books and publishing professionals, while the Centre national de la musique (CNM) contributes to the export and international development of the French music sector.
French cultural institutions themselves are important actors of international cooperation. Major institutions such as the Louvre Museum, the Centre Pompidou, the Château de Versailles, the National Library of France (BNF)NF and leading festivals regularly develop international partnerships through touring exhibitions, co-productions, artist residencies, training programmes and professional exchanges. Their international activities are complemented by organisations such as France Muséums, which specialises in museum cooperation and cultural engineering for major international projects.
Territorial authorities also play an increasingly important role in international cultural cooperation. Regions, departments, municipalities and intermunicipal structures support cultural partnerships through decentralised cooperation agreements, city-twinning initiatives, cross-border projects and European cooperation programmes. These initiatives contribute to cultural exchange, artistic mobility and local attractiveness strategies.
Finally, several institutions located in France contribute to intercultural dialogue and the reception of foreign artists and cultural professionals. Organisations such as the Institut du monde arabe, the Cité internationale des arts and other residency structures facilitate international artistic exchange and reinforce France’s role as a platform for cultural cooperation.
Overall, French international cultural cooperation relies on a multi-level and highly institutionalised ecosystem combining diplomatic action, cultural operators, educational and research institutions, territorial authorities and professional networks. This framework supports both the international dissemination of French culture and the development of long-term cultural partnerships based on reciprocity, mobility and dialogue.
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Key features of the institutional framework |
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· Strong coordination between the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture. · A global cultural network centred on the Institut français and the Alliance Française. · Integrated educational and academic diplomacy through AEFE, Campus France and research institutes abroad. · Dedicated operators supporting the international development of cultural and creative industries (Unifrance, BIEF, CNM, CNC). · Growing involvement of cultural institutions and territorial authorities in international cooperation. · A multi-level ecosystem combining diplomacy, culture, education, research and professional networks. |
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