An innovative program of cultural readings designed for college French classes at the upper-intermediate level and beyond, Héritages francophones is an introduction to several living Francophone cultures in the United States. The communities that are introduced include the descendants of the Acadians in the St. John Valley of Maine; the Haitian community of Miami; and immigrant peoples from Africa, Asia, and Europe. The focus then widens to the countries or areas of origin of these various groups. This emphasis on the diversity of interrelated Francophone issues shows students that French is indeed an international language, with relevance to their own world.

Héritages francophones was granted the official patronage of the Académie française in 2007.