Denis of Paris was a 3rd-century Christian martyr and saint. According to his hagiographies, he was bishop of Paris (then Lutetia) in the third century and, together with his companions Rusticus and Eleutherius, was martyred for his faith by decapitation. Some accounts placed this during Domitian's persecution and incorrectly identified St Denis of Paris with the Areopagite who was converted by Paul the Apostle and who served as the first bishop of Athens. Assuming Denis's historicity, it is now considered more likely that he suffered under the persecution of the emperor Decius shortly after AD 250. Denis is the most famous cephalophore in Christian history, with a popular story claiming that the decapitated bishop picked up his head and walked several miles while preaching a sermon on repentance. He is venerated in the Catholic Church as the patron saint of France and Paris and is accounted one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. A chapel was raised at the site of his burial by a local Christian woman; it was later expanded into an abbey and basilica, around which grew up the French city of Saint-Denis, now a suburb of Paris

14 July

Alliance Française is the largest and oldest network of French language and cultural centers in the world. It was founded in 1883 in Paris, France. The Alliance Française chapters across the world are dedicated to promoting French language and francophone culture in order to foster relationships between people of all nationalities, ethnicity, and backgrounds. Alliance Française of Washington, D.C. is one of the 850 chapters in the world, and one of 114 chapters in the US. The American network of Alliance Française chapters is the most important of all the Alliance Française’s networks.

Only Students from a local school/university, whatever the nationality (including French) or those candidates studying within an American institution, can apply to one of the open positions. The procedure for students in France is different (please see below).

The Press and Communication Office accepts interns adherent to the fall, spring and summer semester schedule. Interns must be currently enrolled, full-time students in an American university to be considered. A proficiency in French and native speaking/ writing level in English is required.

The D.C. Francophonie Cultural Festival celebrates the diversity and richness of the French language and Francophone communities around the world through a series of cultural events and outreach programs presented every spring in the capital of the United States.  Since 2001, more than 40 embassies and partners (including the Alliance Française de Washington DC and the Smithsonian Associates) have collaborated each year to present an array of experiences all rooted in the Francophone culture -- from Africa, to the Americas, to the Middle East -- through concerts, cuisine, films, literary salons, and lectures for all ages.