French Institute of Scotland
ENTRY
from £5
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Edinburgh
What it’s like
French storytelling, author meetings and picture book sessions for young children, with a bistrot on site.
This is a spot for French storytelling and picture books rather than a big activity centre, and that's fine if you know what you're after. The site lists arts and crafts sessions tied to themes, autumn activities aimed at 3 to 5 year olds, dance performances for young children, and children's author meetings with book readings. If your kids are being raised bilingual, or you just want them hearing French from someone other than you, this ticks that box neatly.
The cinema screenings are £5 for non-members, and a meet the author event with Mathieu Diez is £7, so it's not an expensive afternoon even before any membership discount kicks in. Booking isn't compulsory but they do recommend it in advance, which is the sensible move for anything with an author attached since seats will be limited.
Le Bistrot runs from 9am to 10pm. The reception and library keep shorter hours, open weekdays until 5.30pm and just until 1.30pm on Saturdays, so plan around that if you also want to browse the shelves. The building has step-free access throughout, which matters if you're wrestling a buggy through the door.
There's no set age range given for most of what's on, beyond the autumn sessions pitched at 3 to 5 year olds.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 3 to 5 year olds, though other sessions vary in age
- Booking
- Advance booking recommended to avoid disappointment
- Food
- Le Bistrot restaurant on site, open breakfast to dinner
- Wheelchairs
- Step-free access throughout the building
- Booking is recommended rather than required, so don't leave it too late for author events
- Le Bistrot keeps much longer hours than the library, so you can linger over lunch even after story time ends
- The library and reception close early on Saturdays at 1.30pm
- Autumn activities are pitched specifically at 3 to 5 year olds; other sessions don't state an age range
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Cinema screenings are £5 for non-members, and the meet the author event with Mathieu Diez is £7. There may be concession prices too, so ask at the desk.
Do we need to book?
Booking isn't required but they recommend it in advance, especially for anything with a visiting author.
What can kids actually do there?
Storytelling sessions, picture book readings, arts and crafts tied to themes, dance performances, and author meetings with book readings.
Is it suitable for a toddler?
There's a dedicated autumn activity aimed at ages 3 to 5, though most other sessions don't state an age range.
Is there anywhere to eat?
Le Bistrot is on site and open from 9am to 10pm, so you can make a morning visit stretch into lunch.
What are the opening hours?
The reception desk and library run 9.30am to 5.30pm Tuesday to Friday, and 9.30am to 1.30pm on Saturdays.
Is it accessible with a buggy or wheelchair?
Yes, there's step-free access throughout the building.
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