Alan Nobili is executive director of the Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans, where he leads initiatives in French language education, cultural programming and international exchange. Originally from Paris with Corsican roots, he grew up in Réunion Island and Tahiti.
Nobili has held leadership roles across Europe and North America, including as director of the Alliance Française du Manitoba in Canada. He has more than 20 years experience in cultural diplomacy, nonprofit management and multilingual education.
He is fluent in French, English and German. He collects vinyl records and enjoys playing tennis.
Alan Nobili, executive director of Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans
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What is Alliance Française, and who does it serve in New Orleans and throughout the state of Louisiana?
We are the French cultural center here in New Orleans. We are a nonprofit and offer French classes for all ages and levels — and more classes and events related to French and Creole culture to connect the Louisiana audience with the French language and culture, because French is a heritage language here in New Orleans and throughout much of Louisiana.
It’s the official language of 29 countries and is spoken in more than 80 countries in the world. Our work is a way to connect the city and the state with many different cultures and people all over the world. Alliance Française is part of a global network, with 105 chapters in the USA and more than 800 in the world.
What is the perception in French-speaking countries of the importance of the French language and culture in New Orleans and Louisiana?
Most people don’t realize how Louisiana is important for French speakers all over the world. It’s the place in the USA where French is a native language, a heritage language, and still spoken today by a large portion of the population. We estimate that more than 150,000 people still speak French in Louisiana — mainly in Acadiana, but also in New Orleans and in many other parishes. For the members of the French world, this is a very special place.
Nearly 100,000 French tourists from France come every year to Louisiana. When they come, of course, they are looking for good food, good music, but also, they are always praying to connect with French speakers and everything related to the French history and presence.
The Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans hosts a variety of cultural events, including food, music and dance. For more information, go to their website at af-neworleans.org.
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What role do organizations like yours play in supporting cross-cultural connections and the value of appreciating other cultures?
In these times, we know that our offering is important because we provide a place where people and cultures can meet. It’s a place where you can have a discussion, a conversation. We believe that’s important in today’s times — that people communicate and exchange ideas even if they don’t share the same points of view.
We need such spaces where people from different backgrounds — French speakers, non-French speakers, foreigners, Creoles, people from New Orleans and tourists — can meet and be confronted with new ideas and experiences.
I believe Alliance Française plays a great role in getting people to start conversations and exchange ideas.
Alliance Française does language testing?
We curate and offer official tests — French language tests that are used for people wanting to immigrate to Canada or those who want to become French citizens. We have observed over the last few months a huge increase in the demand of American people, or people with Haitian roots or from some other countries, looking to immigrate abroad.
Some of these people have been married to French citizens for years, like 15 or 20 years, and then suddenly they decide to become French. So, they take these exams.
In terms of the cultural exchange, especially in regards to food and music, what does Alliance Française offer?
Each year we host the Bastille Day event. This year, on July 11, it will be the big instance of food heaven.
We invite French vendors to provide specific French foods — charcuterie, pate and cheese, of course. We are bringing a selection of local vendors specializing in what I would say is real French food.
But throughout the year, we organize workshops like wine tastings, food tastings — on cheese, for example.
We offer a food and French language workshop, usually at the end of the year for small groups willing to learn French and cook at the same time. We have a small kitchen. With a chef, we will prepare a program linking French cuisine, Creole cuisine and French language learning.
How long have you lived in New Orleans?
I moved last year from Paris with my family. We are my wife and my three kids. They are 8, 13 and 16. I’m going to celebrate one year of pure pleasure, joy and cultural discovery.
I didn’t expect so much fun and so much energy from this city. From that point on, it was pure pleasure.
We are enjoying the city, and I’m very happy as the director here. I think that people can feel it when they come to Alliance Française to learn French or attend events — they can feel that I am happy to do my job and to be here in New Orleans.
This is very important when you run a cultural center — that you make people comfortable — and that I adopted the New Orleans way of life.
You know what? Sometimes I’m sad because I know that my term will end in three years time. I can already feel that it’s going to be hard to leave New Orleans in 2028. My position is a four-year term. Then, I will be assigned and transferred to another place.
What are some of the lessons you’ve learned in your one year in New Orleans?
I learned that living in New Orleans is like running a marathon. You need to keep a good energy rate. There are many events, so many cool things to do. I would say that I learned how to manage my energy. I learned that even if I miss one event because I’m too busy, there will be another — which is pretty cool.
The Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans hosts a variety of cultural events, including food, music and dance. For more information, go to their website at af-neworleans.org.
Provided photo
Other than your offices, where do you like to go in New Orleans, or other places in Louisiana, for what you consider to be a touch of France — to feel more at home?
There are a few cafes I like. For example, Delachaise Cafe on St. Charles. I feel good there because there is a terrace which is not air-conditioned. I don’t like air conditioning that much. I prefer to sit on the terrace and have an espresso. I would say this is my favorite place to feel like at home.
You can go to French tables in New Orleans or Baton Rouge also. Each time I go to French tables, I just feel like, “Wow.” It’s really moving for me to see how these people are still keeping the culture alive — being very American and very French at the same time.
Who can visit Alliance Française?
We love welcoming people, even if they are just going to spend one hour here. It’s a place where everyone is welcome — people speaking French or not.
This interview was edited for length and clarity.