Evening Meetings
From September 2025 to May 2026, we will hold our meetings on the evening of the third Thursday of each month (6.45 to 8.45 pm) in the Alliance Française, 3 Park Circus, Glasgow G3 6AX.
At the heart of each meeting is a presentation given in French, followed by an opportunity for questions and comments. We end the evening with convivial social chat in both French and English over wine and soft drinks.
Glasgow Branch Programme 2025-26
2025
Tuesday 9th September: Cabaret with Christine Bovill at 6.30 pm (Please note the exceptional day, date and time)
This year marks the 130th anniversary of the founding of the Franco-Scottish Society – and the 730th anniversary of the Auld Alliance. As our branch contribution to celebrating these two events we are starting our new session with a cabaret performance from Christine Bovill (https://www.christinebovill.com). Christine will focus for us on French Chanson – Piaf, Brel, Aznavour etc.
Thursday 16th October: Preview of the French Film Festival
Festival director Richard Mowe introduces (in English) the 33rd edition of the French Film Festival UK which is coming soon to the Alliance Française Glasgow and the Glasgow Film Theatre in November and December. He will highlight award-winners from the Cannes Film Festival, a celebration of the work of Marcel Pagnol on the 150th anniversary of his birth; a tribute to the late Bertrand Blier; a focus on Québec cinema and films about such icons as Sarah Bernhardt, Charles Aznavour, Céline Dion, Simone Signoret and Yves Montand. Catch clips of François Ozon’s adaptation of Camus’ L’Étranger; Yann Gozlan’s AI thriller Dalloway; Frank Dubosc’s dark comedy Un ours dans le Jura; and a silent treat Fantômas from 1913. You can keep up to date on www.frenchfilmfestival.org.uk
Thursday 20 November: The Auld Alliance between France & Scotland (1295-1560)
Aubigny: Castle of the Stewarts
Odile Hughson, a member of the Edinburgh branch, makes a welcome return. Since the Middle Ages, France and Scotland have had a special relationship, unfortunately often caused by the existence of a common enemy: England. These 265 eventful years include the 100 years’ war, the establishment of a Scottish village in France and the Scots guards of the French kings. This talk is another contribution to the celebration of the 730th anniversary of the treaty.
Saturday 13 December (early afternoon): Fête de Noël avec vin chaud, buffet, musique et chansons.
Our traditional Christmas party.
2026
Thursday 15 January: Paris aujourd’hui (note this is an afternoon event at 2.00 p.m.)
Colin Sellar, one of our branch members, will talk on changes to Paris.
Thursday 19 February: Les Covenanters écossais: Approches historiques et réflexions sur leurs représentations
Lucien Grillet, Professeur agrégé (Lycée Senghor, Évreux), Docteur en histoire, explore les questions: Que représentait le National Covenant pour les Écossais au XVIIe siècle ? Quelles en ont été les conséquences ailleurs dans les Îles britanniques ? Nous tâcherons de comprendre comment des Écossais d’horizons variés ont pu s’engager ensemble, pour un temps, pour une cause « nationale » qui s’est transformée ou s’est éteinte au cours de l’époque moderne.
Thursday 19 March: La Belgique – Un regard sur une nation singulière
George MacBride va parler de quelques personnalités éminentes et de quelques incidents clés qui illustrent l’histoire et la culture de la Belgique. Il nous offre l’opportunité d’examiner sa naissance, ses mythes, ses stéréotypes et sa façon de penser à elle-même. Une histoire singulière ou une maquette à petite échelle de l’Europe d’aujourd’hui ?
Thursday 23 April: Molière et la langue française (NB: Please note change of date)
Catherine Guiat, the librarian in the Institut Français in Edinburgh, will talk about Molière’s work and his influence on the French language.
Thursday 21 May: 2026 AGM
Followed by cheese, wine, soft drinks and entertainment.
‘Conversation française’ –Quoi de Neuf?
We meet on the first Monday of each month September to June at the Alliance Française from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.
This meeting runs in conjunction with the Alliance Française. Any member of the AF is welcome to join our conversation group.
The conversation in French ranges from personal to global news. A theme for discussion is sent in advance to allow participants to prepare if they wish to do so.
The usual attendance is between 10 and 15 with a wide variety of fluency in French. This is a friendly francophile meeting where everyone is encouraged to talk but participants who prefer to just listen are also very welcome.
Office Bearers 2025-2026
President: Gerry Toner
Treasurer: Joe Reynolds
Secretary: George MacBride
Committee Members 2025-2026
Elizabeth Bryant, Rosalyn Faulds, Luisa McMinn, Colin Sellar
Membership
Our session runs from September to June. The annual membership fee is £25.00 per person.
Members are entitled to borrow, free of charge, books, DVDs, CDs etc from the Médiathèque at the Alliance Française. They are also entitled to participate in Alliance Française events on the same terms as members of the Alliance.
Visitors are welcome to attend our Thursday evening meetings and we ask them to contribute £5.
You can pay your membership by bank transfer (our preferred option) or by cheque.
For further information please contact the Branch Secretary by email: georgemacbride075@gmail.com
Find out more
Please feel free to contact us by emailing at the address below
Email: georgemacbride075@gmail.com
You can download a PDF copy of our 2025-2026 Programme here.
Alliance Française Glasgow
The Franco-Scottish Society Glasgow Branch has for many years enjoyed working in partnership with the Alliance Française Glasgow. Our meetings take place in their premises at 3 Park Circus, G3 6AX. FSSS members can participate in Alliance events on the same terms as members of the Alliance itself and enjoy access to the facilities of the Alliance Médiathèque.
You can find out more about the Alliance Française including its cultural programme here.
Websites of interest
In late November and early December 2025 the Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) is screening several of the films featured in this year’s 33rd French Film Festival. You can find out more about these and book on the GFT website.