Just weeks into her new role in San Francisco, Valérie Brisset, the new Consul General of France, is taking the helm of one of the largest and most dynamic districts in the French diplomatic network — a territory spanning ten states, from Alaska to Hawaii, including California, Washington State, and Idaho.
A career diplomat trained at Sciences Po Paris and the ÉNA (Robert Badinter class), she has built a career at the intersection of culture and international affairs, holding key positions at the Louvre Museum, the French embassies in Greece and China, and more recently at the Quai d’Orsay, where she oversaw France’s cultural, educational, academic, and scientific diplomacy.
Twenty-five years after her first visit as a tourist, she is now rediscovering San Francisco in a strategic role. Amid the growth of the French community, technological dynamism, and cultural richness, she begins her mandate with a clear ambition: to strengthen ties between France and the U.S. West Coast while modernizing services for French citizens.
A rapidly growing French community
From the moment she arrived, one observation stood out: the French presence in the region has continued to grow since the post-Covid period. Today, more than 27,000 French nationals are registered with the consulate in the district, but the actual number is estimated between 55,000 and 60,000, making San Francisco the second-largest French district in the United States after New York.
“In the Bay Area alone, the French presence could reach as many as 35,000 people — a figure that highlights the region’s lasting appeal,” she notes.
Beyond the numbers, it is also the diversity of profiles that stands out: entrepreneurs, researchers, artists, engineers, and professionals in the culinary sector all contribute to a particularly rich ecosystem.
Registering with the consulate: an essential step
For Valérie Brisset, this growth comes with a key challenge: encouraging more French nationals to register with the consulate.
“Many French people who have lived here for a long time don’t always see the immediate benefit, even though the advantages are very concrete,” she explains.
Access to digital consular services, participation in elections, and support in times of crisis — registration has become an essential tool for staying connected to the French administration abroad. She also emphasizes that certain procedures and services, particularly the most innovative ones, are primarily available to registered citizens.
A committed and supportive French ecosystem
On the ground, the Consul General is discovering a dense, structured, and remarkably well-integrated French community. “What stands out to me is how deeply involved the community is in local life,” she says.
Present across a wide range of sectors — from gastronomy to education and culture — French nationals also hold a prominent place in cutting-edge industries. “You open a door in a lab or a startup, and there is often a French engineer or mathematician,” she observes.
Beyond this diversity, it is above all the spirit of collaboration that is striking. “What is particularly remarkable here is not only the density of French organizations, but also their ability to work together, without competition, in a spirit of mutual support.” Non-profit organizations, schools, business networks, and cultural initiatives together form a dynamic ecosystem driven by strong collective engagement.
A strategic region for France
The region’s attractiveness is also reflected in an intensification of exchanges with France. In just a few weeks, Valérie Brisset has welcomed numerous French delegations eager to take the pulse of the local ecosystem.
“In less than three months, we have hosted nearly ten delegations, which sends a very strong signal of renewed interest in Silicon Valley,” she notes.
Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cultural industries, academic cooperation, and scientific research are all areas where collaboration is strengthening.
Lawmakers, AI experts, business leaders, and scientists all come here to understand, observe, and draw inspiration. “In the field of AI, you need to come here. Things evolve so quickly that nothing replaces direct contact,” she adds.
Business and innovation: a network-driven mindset
In this environment, French entrepreneurs find fertile ground to grow. They can rely on structured support systems led by organizations such as Business France and the French-American Chamber of Commerce of California, which serve as bridges between the French and Californian ecosystems.
“There is a real culture of mentorship and solidarity among French entrepreneurs here,” she explains.
The consulate also acts as a facilitator, supporting administrative processes, connecting individuals with the right networks, and promoting initiatives. A collaborative ecosystem has thus taken shape, enabling newcomers to integrate more quickly.
A public service close to its citizens
In this dynamic environment, the consulate’s primary mission remains to provide high-quality public service to French nationals.
“The consulate’s main mission is to serve French citizens, whether they are residents or visitors,” Valérie Brisset recalls.
This includes support for individual situations, organizing elections, and managing school scholarships. But in such a vast district — spanning ten states from Alaska to Hawaii — maintaining proximity remains a daily challenge. To address this, the consulate regularly organizes outreach visits to meet French nationals across the territory.
The Consul’s objective is clear: to connect with a large portion of this community in the coming months.
Accelerating digital transformation
At the same time, consular services are continuing their digital transformation.
“We are simplifying and digitizing many procedures to improve services for French citizens,” she explains.
The rollout of the France Consulaire service, available 24/7, along with the digitization of many procedures, is already making daily life easier for French citizens abroad. Other innovations, such as remote passport renewal, are currently being deployed.
Climate: strengthened Franco-Californian cooperation
Among the new Consul’s priorities is strengthening ties between France and California in the environmental field.
“We share the same goals in terms of carbon neutrality and biodiversity protection,” Valérie Brisset recalls.
The presence of major French companies in the renewable energy sector provides a concrete example: nearly 10% of California’s installed capacity is attributed to companies such as EDF, Engie, and Veolia. These efforts are complemented by academic and scientific collaborations that further strengthen synergies and accelerate innovation.
Culture: a strong and lasting influence
Culture plays a central role in the Consul General’s work. In collaboration with Villa Albertine, numerous projects are being developed, such as the Nuit des Idées recently held at the San Francisco Public Library and the Asian Art Museum.
The new Consul is pleased to observe that French culture enjoys strong visibility in the region, supported by the rich programming of French cultural organizations such as French Talent USA, French Premiere, and the Théâtre du Lycée Français, which help bring this cultural scene to life on a daily basis.
At the same time, major cultural institutions in the city, such as the de Young Museum, the Legion of Honor, and SFMOMA, regularly highlight French artists through major exhibitions, confirming the local public’s strong interest in French creativity.
She also highlights the upcoming Bastille Day Festival on July 18 at Embarcadero Plaza.
Progress in women’s representation in diplomacy
Finally, the question of women’s place in diplomacy is particularly close to her heart.
“Being a diplomat is a life choice that is also built around family,” she emphasizes.
Today, she hopes to serve as a role model and encourage other women to pursue this path. “I hope to inspire other women to believe that it is possible,” she says.
While progress is visible, the profession remains demanding and involves significant personal trade-offs. The Ministry is now working to better support women in reaching leadership positions, notably through the Tremplin program.
A forward-looking mandate
In San Francisco, Valérie Brisset is taking office with a very hands-on approach: understanding the field, meeting stakeholders, and relying on a highly engaged French community.
“This is a constantly evolving region, and it is essential to stay close to the ground to understand its dynamics,” she concludes.
Between innovation, cooperation, and cultural influence, her mandate promises to reflect the region itself: dynamic, ambitious, and resolutely forward-looking — at the heart of a territory that continues to fascinate and attract France.
