The Institut français promotes French culture internationally, in dialogue with foreign cultures. It promotes initiatives related to various artistic fields, intellectual engagement, cultural and social innovation, and linguistic cooperation. It promotes the French language around the world, as well as the mobility of works of art, artists and ideas.

The Institut français promotes artists and authors and circulates works that contribute to the presentation of an innovative and dynamic image of creativity in France.

The Institut français makes sure French voices are heard as part of debates taking place in societies around the world, relying on the close link between human and social sciences, public debate and scientific culture.

The Institut français participates in the development of a key sector of the French economy, the cultural and creative industries, by promoting their international availability and visibility.

The Institut français supports innovators and promotes creativity using digital mediums. It contributes to the international promotion of French talent and expertise, and uses digital technology to serve cultural dissemination.

The Institut français promotes the French language and supports its teaching around the world.

The Institut français supports encounters between French culture and foreign cultures.

The Institut français supports the creativity of developing countries, thus illustrating the openness of French diplomacy to cultural diversity and exchange.

The Institut français invites personalities from all over the world to develop their knowledge of the French scene or strengthen their skills in service of their own projects.

The Institut français works in close collaboration with the wide network of Cultural Services of the French Embassies, Instituts français and Alliances françaises around the world.

The Institut français, a dynamic cultural player on the European stage, emphasises the European dimension of France’s cultural action abroad. 

The Institut français partners with the French Territorial Collectivities as part of its policy of promoting internationally creators and cultural structures from these territories.

The Institut supports many businesses and corporate foundations in their development of cultural operations on the international scale.