Institut français Sénégal, Cultural center in Dakar-Plateau, Senegal.
The Institut français Sénégal is a two-part facility with a cultural center and language school in downtown Dakar. The building contains exhibition spaces, screening rooms, and classrooms used for events and courses throughout the year.
Originally established as the Centre Culturel Français de Dakar, the facility later became the Institut français Sénégal to better reflect its expanding role. This name change marked a shift toward broader cultural and educational partnerships between the two nations.
The center hosts regular exhibitions, performances, and film screenings that bring together French and Senegalese artists. Visitors experience how creative expression flows across both cultures in this shared space.
Plan your visit around the different weekday and weekend hours, and it helps to check ahead for upcoming events or classes. The downtown location makes it easy to reach and convenient to visit between other activities in the area.
The school teaches not only French and Wolof but also offers courses in Spanish and Portuguese alongside digital skills training. This varied program makes it an unusual hub for language learners interested in exploring multiple African and European languages.
Location: Commune de Dakar-Plateau
Operator: Ministère des Affaires étrangères et du Développement international pour l'action culturelle extérieure de la France
Address: 89 rue Joseph Gomis, Dakar, Senegal
Opening Hours: Monday 13:00-20:00; Tuesday-Saturday 09:00-20:00
Phone: +221338230320
Website: https://ifs.sn
GPS coordinates: 14.66801,-17.43550
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:44
Dakar brings together various sites between historical heritage and the Atlantic Ocean. The Senegalese capital features several monuments such as the African Memorial Cathedral of 1929 and the African Renaissance Monument, 52 meters tall. The Théodore Monod Museum of African Art displays 9,000 artifacts from West African cultures, while Gorée Island hosts the Slave House documenting the Atlantic slave trade. Traditional markets like Kermel and Tilène offer fish, spices, and crafts in buildings dating from the early 20th century. The coast offers several points of interest along the 13-kilometer-long Corniche. Pointe des Almadies marks the western tip of the African continent with its rock formations facing the Atlantic and seafood restaurants. Hann Park spans 60 hectares with West African flora and fauna. Between colonial architecture, natural spaces, and cultural institutions, the city presents various locations to explore the history and culture of Senegal.
Massalikoul Djinane Mosque
3.9 km
Museum of Black Civilizations
1.1 km
Cinéma Sandaga
323 m
Dakar Grand Mosque
1.3 km
Marché Tilène
2.2 km
Dakar station
896 m
Our Lady of Victories Cathedral, Dakar
391 m
Historical Museum of Senegal
3.9 km
Porte du Troisième millénaire
1.7 km
IFAN Museum of African Arts
592 m
Monument Demba et Dupont
816 m
Grand Théâtre National de Dakar
1.3 km
Village Artisanal de Soumbédioune
2.6 km
Centre culturel Blaise Senghor
3.8 km
Primature
363 m
Church of Saint Charles Borromee
4.1 km
Musée de la Mer
3.8 km
Galleria nazionale di Dakar
725 m
Marché Kermel
763 m
Place de indépendance
403 m
Théâtre National Daniel Sorano
467 m
Palais du Président de la Republique du Senegal
500 m
Musée des Forces Armées Sénégalaises
718 m
Grande mosquée Cheikh Oumar al Foutiyou Tall
1.6 km
Place du Tirailleur Sénégalais
816 m
The Mosque of Goree
3.9 km
Mosquée El Hadji Oumar Kane
1.5 km
Route de la Corniche Ouest
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