Institut français d’Écosse: A Visit to the French Institute in Edinburgh, Scotland
- Jul 14
- 3 min read
Today, 14 July, we highlight the ‘Auld Alliance’ (Old Alliance) between Scotland and France by celebrating Bastille Day with a visit to Institut français d’Écosse (the French Institute of Scotland) in Edinburgh!
Often called ‘Bastille Day’ in English, the 14th of July (le 14 juillet) is the National Day of France (la fête nationale) as it commemorates the day (14 July 1789) that the Bastille prison was stormed, resulting in the start of the French Revolution. Official celebrations of 14 July started in 1880 and include a parade held on the Champs-Élysées and a fireworks display at the Eiffel Tower. However, there are also festivities across France to celebrate this very important day.
There is a long history between France and Scotland (often referred to as the ‘Auld Alliance’ as I mentioned earlier). One of the most famous historical connections was Mary Stuart-Queen of France and then Scotland. Mary (whose mother, Marie de Guise, was French) spent her childhood in France but returned to rule Scotland later in life. Of course, there are many more connections between Scotland and France, but those will have to wait until a future article. For now, let’s celebrate Bastille Day with a visit to Institut français d’Écosse.
Institut français d’Écosse is “the official agency of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs dedicated to the promotion of the French language and culture”. The Institut moved into the building in 2017 and also houses the Consulate General of France. Situated in Parliament Square, this beautiful building was once the seat of Midlothian County. The building was designed by architect, Archibald Elliott, and built between 1816-1819.
According to Institut français d’Écosse, they have four major aims:
-To promote the French language, by providing a high-quality range of French courses for everyone.
-To promote French culture in Scotland, by programming ambitious and inventive events.
-To encourage cross-cultural exchange between France and Scotland, in cooperation with Scottish Francophile institutions.
-To develop exchanges between France and Scotland in Education.
To help them achieve this, the Institut offers a variety of services including French language courses, cultural events (e.g. film screenings, concerts, festivals, and exhibitions), a French library, and a venue hire.
Our Edinburgh walking tours go by Parliament Square daily, so our tour participants are fortunate that they can see the exterior of this beautiful building. We have also visited the Institut on numerous occasions including the cosy wee Bistro that is open to the public. However, most of our photos for this post were from when we visited on Doors Open Days in September 2025, with a few from September 2022.
The architectural design inside Institut français d’Écosse is exquisite with lovely details throughout. Here are some photos from our visits:
There are also some nice views of the neighbouring buildings in Parliament Square including St. Giles Cathedral.
Every year, the Institut collaborates with Napier University students for a poster design competition- ‘Vive le Fringe!’. Students create posters for the world-renowned Fringe Festival held here in Edinburgh throughout the month of August. The students are encouraged to design posters that showcase the Fringe (whose performances include music, theatre, and dance) while also celebrating French culture. We thoroughly enjoyed the 2025 ‘Vive Le Fringe’ poster exhibition:
We are so fortunate to have Institut français d’Écosse here in Edinburgh. It is an amazing resource for those looking to learn more about France whether it be through delicious food at Le Bistro, to learn the French language, or simply enjoy a concert from a visiting French performer. You can visit their website for more information on the services they provide.
To all those celebrating today- Joyeux 14 juillet (Happy 14th of July )!
Until next time- Explorez et découvrez (Explore & Discover)!
