1883 "The National Association for the propagation of the French language in the colonies and abroad" is created under the aegis of the ambassador, Paul Cambon.

1884 The 10th of March is the exact date of the foundation of the Alliance Française of Paris. Many distinguished names feature on the Board of Directors, names such as Ferdinand de Lesseps, Louis Pasteur, Ernest Renan, Jules Verne, Armand Colin… Barcelona is the first European Alliance Française. The network in Spain will expand very rapidly.
Africa also jumps on the bandwagon, as a pioneering branch of the Alliance Française was opened in Senegal.
Another branch opens in Mauritius later that same year.
Thanks to the inspired efforts of a group of friends, an Alliance Française is set up in Mexico. The enthusiasm of Latin America is not just a passing fancy.