The Alliance Française de Providence was created in 1901 at the initiative of Mary C. Wheeler, the founder of the Wheeler School. We are a 501c 3 not-for-profit organization incorporated in the State of Rhode Island. Our mission is to teach French in Rhode Island, promote the French language, French culture as well as to reinforce ties between France and the United States of America. It is part of a network of 1040 Alliances Françaises present in 136 countries, including 114 chapters in the United States. The entire network welcomes over 490,000 students per year with its headquarters in Paris.