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
	Facebook information can be found here
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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

Film

Ukranian Cinema: The Editorial Office

18th December 2025

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

The Institut français d'Écosse is screening 'The Editorial Office', a darkly witty new film about truth, corruption, and identity in modern Ukraine.

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.

Film

Screening: Souleymane’s Story by Boris Lojkine

28th January 2026

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Prize winning film Souleymane’s Story, depicts the harsh reality of delivery cyclist Souleymane who recently immigrated from Guinea. Catch it at Institut français d'Ecosse on 28th January!

Film

Screening of Mélodie en sous-sol

11th February 2026

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Mélodie is considered as one of the best thrillers and certainly among the most stylish movies of the early 1960s. Watch it at Institut français d'Ecosse on Wednesday 11th February.

Film

Screening of ‘Three Friend’ by Emmanuel Mouret

18th February 2026

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Catch this French romcom by Emmanuel Mouret at the Institut français d'Ecosse on Wednesday 18th February!

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.

Music

Concert with the Jen Ewan Band

27th February 2026

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Fresh from supporting the legendary Bill Bailey on tour, the Jennifer Ewan Band bring their stirring and richly layered mix of compelling original songs, Swamp Blues and old-time Cajun dance music!

Talks and Lectures

Writing the French Caribbean: an Introduction

3rd March 2026

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Broaden your horizons on a journey to the French Caribbean for Francophone Month at this talk by Professor Lorna Milne FRSE, Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques!

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 La Vie est belle

11th March 2026

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

La vie est belle is a 1987 musical comedy directed by Mwezé Ngangura and Benoît Lamy, screening at the Institut français d'Ecosse on 11th March!

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.

Theatre

Children Show: Paws Up!

21st March 2026

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

This English adaptation of the famous children’s book by Catharina Valckx ‘PAWS UP!’ is a poetic, interactive and funny show, performed in French and English

Music

RCS presents : Alexander Krylov in concert

9th April 2026

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

For the Baroque Music Festival 2026, Alexander Krylov will present a solo programme of works including Bach, Scarlatti and Couperin.

Music

Blessed Echoes by Ensemble Près de votre oreille

10th April 2026

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Since 2017, Près de votre oreille has developed an original artistic identity, recording several acclaimed albums and performing internationally.

Music

Jeux de Dames: A portrait of Love - Concert by Ensemble Amarillis

14th April 2026

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

The Institut Francais d’Ecosse proudly present Ensemble Amarillis, their first Scottish performance as part of the Baroque Music Festival 2026.

Music

John Butt in Concert

16th April 2026

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

Musical Director of the Dunedin Consort, John Butt invites us on a journey that begins in Italy and concludes in Germany as part of the Baroque Music Festival!

Music

Italian Baroque: Monika d’Ermo Recital followed by Cenacolo Musicale

18th April 2026

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

The Institut Francais d’Ecosse partners with the Italian Consulate in Edinburgh and the Italian Institute of Culture for an exceptional Night of Italian Baroque Music on Saturday 18th April.

Music

Concert with Les Fils Canouche

7th May 2026

Institut francais d Ecosse, Edinburgh Old Town

After a successful tour in France, Les Fils Canouche are heading to Scotland with their new album “Les Pantophiles” and play the Institut français d'Écosse on 7th May!

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

Creative Workskills

City of Edinburgh Methodist Church 25 Nicolson Square, Edinburgh South EH8 9BX

Creative Workskills provides workshops, coaching, team-building and training sessions for those looking to expand, diversify and improve on their practice.

Learning

Simply English Edinburgh

59 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh South EH3 9HY

English Language School in the heart of the city offering affordable and flexible lessons to adults of all ages.

Learning

Wee Joys Japanese Language

, Edinburgh South

Unlock your curiosity and start learning Japanese with a top-qualified professional Japanese tutor in Scotland.

Learning

Tracy Archibald Associates

The Basement 9A Torphichen Street, Edinburgh West EH3 8HX

Welcome to Tracy Archibald Associates. Working in Edinburgh and across the Scottish Borders, we help individuals and businesses to achieve their goals...

Learning

Mathnasium: Edinburgh South

178-182 Morningside Road, Edinburgh South EH10 7AF

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

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

Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Edimburgo

20-22 East London Street, Edinburgh New Town EH7 4BQ

The Italian Cultural Institute, Edinburgh is the official Italian governmental body dedicated to promoting Italian language and culture in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

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

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