Institut francais d Ecosse

A cultural centre promoting French language and French culture in Edinburgh and in Scotland and part of the wider Institut Français network around the world.

About Institut francais d Ecosse

	Institut français d'Ecosse West Parliament Square, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1RF
	01312856030
	Institut francais d Ecosse Website
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Listed Under Activities - Learning

A little corner of France in the heart of Edinburgh!

The French Institute in Edinburgh is a cultural centre promoting French language and French culture in Edinburgh and in Scotland and part of the wider Institut Français network around the world.

Here at the Institut français, at the heart of Edinburgh, we offer French courses, talks, live music and theatre performances, film screenings, library collections, kid's activities, and festivals!

Promoting cross-cultural exchange since 1946.

We take every opportunity to ensure the details for Institut francais d Ecosse are accurate, if any of the above information is incorrect we would appreciate if you could take a minute to suggest an edit.

All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.

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Upcoming Events at Institut francais d Ecosse

Dance

Historical Georgian Dance Classes

Selected dates between 30th September 2025 - 9th December 2025

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Join the Edinburgh Quadrille Society and learn dances from the Jane Austen / Bridgerton era at Institut français d'Écosse!

Food and Drink

Coffee & French Conversation

Selected dates between 2nd October 2025 - 4th December 2025

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Want to practice your French in an informal setting? Join us at the Institut français d’Écosse for a relaxed morning chat – over a cup of coffee or tea and a croissant or pain au chocolat!

Film

The Safe House / La cache + Q&A

8th November 2025

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Enjoy a screening of the buoyant comedy 'The Safe House' at the Institut français d'Écosse on Saturday 8th November, followed by a Q&A with film director Lionel Baier!

Film

Fantômas + Live musical accompaniment

9th November 2025

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Gaumont Anniversary Special Event of the silent film Fantômas with live musical accompaniment is taking place at the Institut français d'Écosse on Sunday 9th November!

Film

Doves in Zero Gravity / Colombes sans gravité + Q&A

10th November 2025

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Doves in Zero Gravity, screening at Institut français d'Écosse on 10th November, examines how lessons from the past can help to shape peace operations of the future.

Books

Talk and book signing with Nina Six

11th November 2025

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Come along to the Institut français d’Écosse on 11th November when Nina Six will be discussing her work and signing copies of her graphic novels.

Talks and Lectures

When Madame de Pompadour met Bonnie Prince Charlie: A Tragedy in Three Acts

12th November 2025

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Join Michael Nevin for this presentation at Institut français d'Ecosse as he discusses the end of the Auld Alliance, set up in 1295 for the mutual defence against their shared adversary, England.

Books

Meet the author Arnaud de La Grange

12th November 2025

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Come along to the Institut français d'Écosse on Wednesday 12th November and meet author Arnaud de La Grange - journalist, UK and Ireland correspondent for Le Figaro, and a writer!

Film

Where There Is Love, There Is No Darkness + Q&A

13th November 2025

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

This is an understated film about economic migration, told in a straightforward and powerful style, a meditation on faith, connection and resilience in an increasingly fragmented world.

Film

Screening of Nina and the Hedgehog’s Secret

15th November 2025

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Nina and the Hedgehog’s Secret is an exquisite and enchanting new animated feature, featuring the voice talents of beloved French cinema icons Audrey Tautou and Guillaume Canet.

Film

Screening of Hannah Arendt

18th November 2025

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Margarethe von Trotta’s Hannah Arendt is a powerful biopic about one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century. Catch the screening at Institut français d'Ecosse on 18th November!

Film

Screening of Paris Memories / Revoir Paris

21st November 2025

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Join us at the Institut français d'Ecosse on Friday 21st November for this screening of Paris Memories!

Books

Talk and book signing with comics legend Bryan Talbot

22nd November 2025

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Come along and meet British comics artist and writer Bryan Talbot at the Institut français d’Écosse on Saturday 22nd November.

Family and Kids

Storytime Christmas Special

29th November 2025

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Join us at the Institut français d'Ecosse for a magical Christmas Storytime filled with festive tales and crafts on Saturday 29th November!

Music

Vive la France • Opera Festival •

29th November 2025

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Join Opera Caledonia for a day of concerts & events celebrating the vast variety of musical & dramatic styles of French opera, set in the stunning surroundings of the Institut français d’Écosse!

Quiz Night

Quiz de l’Institut français d’Ecosse

5th December 2025

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Come and test your knowledge about France and French language in a fun and relaxed atmosphere at the Institut français d’Ecosse on Friday 5th December!

Theatre

Les Misérables: A theatrical adaptation by Stéphanie Goud

11th December 2025

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Join us at the Institut français d'Écosse for a vibrant and heartfelt theatrical adaptation, directed by Stéphanie Goud and inspired by Victor Hugo’s timeless masterpiece “Les Misérables”!

Music

The Gemstone Arias in Concert

13th January 2026

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Join us for the World Premiere performance of The Gemstone Arias composed by Jay Capperauld with text by Niall Campbell, performed by Rosie Lavery (soprano) and Anna Michels (piano).

Film

Screening of L’Atalante

23rd January 2026

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

L’Atalante was the only full-length film made by Jean Vigo before his tragic early death. The film is now considered to be one of cinema’s very greatest works.

Arts and Crafts

Family Afternoon: Let’s play with colours

19th February 2026

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Looking for an afternoon of imagination and joy? Don’t miss our Family Afternoon at the Institut français d’Écosse on Thursday 19th February, suitable for ages 3 to 10!

Film

Screening of Holy Cow (Vingt Dieux)

20th February 2026

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Holy Cow is an enchanting first film by Louise Courvoisier that was awarded the 2024 Youth Prize at Cannes’ Un Certain regard competition, as well as the Best First Feature film.

Theatre

SPIRITUEUSES – Women and Whisky

6th March 2026

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

SPIRITUEUSES, a performance by the Âtre Collective, celebrates the often-overlooked role of women in the history of spirit production.

Film

Screening of Monsieur Lazhar

20th March 2026

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

An Algerian professor is hired at a Montreal public school to take the place of a professor who died tragically in her own classroom and helps his students overcome their grief.

Learning

Mathnasium: Edinburgh South

178-182 Morningside Road, Edinburgh South EH10 7AF

Mathnasium offers bespoke maths tutoring services for students in P1-S4.

Learning

Anna Bell Coaching

28 Forth Street , Edinburgh New Town EH1 3LH

Anna Bell Coaching offers workshops, training and one-to-one coaching in a calm and comfortable environment, ideally located in the centre of Edinburgh.

Learning

Edinburgh College of Art

ECA Main Building and Hunter Building 74 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh Old Town EH3 9DF

Edinburgh College of Art is a vibrant and creative community of students and academics: a place of experimentation, exploration, intellectual stimulation and exciting collaborations.

Learning

Morningside School of Music

138 Comiston Road, Edinburgh South EH10 5QN

Morningside School of Music offers professional instrumental music tuition to children and adults by professional, fully-qualified experts.

Learning

Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World

Dobbies Garden World Melville Nursery, Lasswade EH18 1AZ

Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World is the world's longest running butterfly house and one of Scotland's favourite tourist and educational attractions.

Learning

Say Oui To Francais

99 Ferry Road, Edinburgh North EH6 4ET

Say Oui To Français offers engaging online and in-person French lessons for adults at all levels, from complete beginners to advanced speakers.

Learning

Speak Out Languages

13 Great King Street, Edinburgh New Town EH3 6QE

Hello and welcome! If you want to speak a second language with confidence, you’ve come to the right place.Speak Out Languages gives adults the confidence...

Learning

Cactus Evening Language Courses in Edinburgh

26 Palmerston Place, Edinburgh West EH12 5AL

Cactus is a leading UK specialist in language teaching and learning, running language courses for groups, individuals and businesses for more than 18 years.

Learning

The Royal Society Of Edinburgh

22 - 26 George Street , Edinburgh New Town EH2 2PQ

The RSE is an educational charity, registered in Scotland, operating on a wholly independent and non-party-political basis and providing public benefit throughout Scotland.

Learning

UMBRAsec Training & Security Services

Unit 2 Eastern Industrial Estate 62-66 Newcraighall Road, Edinburgh East EH15 3HS

UMBRAsec was first established in 2012 as a security services provider. Over time we identified need for higher quality training and more qualified employees...

Learning