French language immersion recommendations?

Smithsonian Journeys offers “Living in France: A Three-Week Stay in Provence” with an option for 10 three and a half hour language lessons tailored to your skill level. There are other activities on that tour besides the language lessons. That one sounds fun to me. My French language skills could use some help.

For a large (100 students, several levels) immersion program near Nice, I recommend Institut de Français. E-mail: Institut de français.com

For a smaller (6 students at a single level), I recommend Valorme in the small city of Foix in rural Ariège.
E-mail: Valorme.com

For $19.95 a month you can visit www.pimsleur.com and get French language ecoutez et repetez style lessons...would give you a big head start on any program you decide on when actually in France....www.lingoda.com is also very good...I recommend the private lessons MUCH more than group lessons, but group might work pour toi :-)

I realize you're asking about language immersion in France, but pre-studying would be very helpful in my opinion.

Bon chance!

I am currently at CLÉ in Tours, for one month. Learning as much as possible ahead of time will only benefit you. I recommend starting ONLY with private tutoring. This will guarantee teaching at your level. 5 hrs equals 25 hrs in a classroom with others, however trust me on this one. You will still be able to meet people and be involved in the extracurricular cultural activities. I am also at a retired age and found this school to have a nice mix of ages up to 70+.

Here's some info that I just recently put together for a friend who asked this very same question ....

Rgds,
Ian

Language Learning in France

If you google this then you will mostly just get student summer schools at French universities.   There are very few aimed at ‘adults’ (anyone over the age of 30 :-)), since they tend to be smaller and don’t readily appear in search engine results.   Here’s what I’ve gleaned over the last few years ….

Ecole des Trois Ponts (Roanne, Auvergne Rhone Alpes)

https://www.3ponts.edu/

This is the one I’ve been to 4 or 5 times.   Demographic is typically 40+ people from US, UK, Canada and Aus.   Small-medium sized school.  3-4 classes with 2-6 people per class.  Between 6 and 14 people each week.  All depends on who is there in a given week, and what their level is.  Accommodation is on site in 9 twin/double rooms. Option for local homestay also.

Ed3P is open March to October (apart from 2 weeks in July).  Caters for any level apart from complete beginner. Everyone will do classes in the morning.   In the afternoons there are several options for more lessons and/or taking part in that weeks themed activity (hikes in the country, spa visit, cooking etc).   The Directrice, Valerie, has a private chat with everyone on the Monday morning before she decides how to split up everyone between the classes.

Food is full-board (pension complèt).   Dinner is the highlight of the day, and if it’s nice weather then there will usually be an aperitif in the garden beforehand.   Everyone eats together.  One of the teachers, or the concierge Jean-Claude, will be at every meal.

Other Schools etc.

Smaller schools, somewhat similar to Ecole des Trois Ponts …..

1. https://www.valorme.com/en/about-us.html.  Valorme French School, Foix, SW France (between Toulouse and the Pyrenees).
2. https://www.millefeuille-provence.com/home/.  Provence.
3. https://www.frenchinthedordogne.com. Dordogne.
4. https://www.coeurdefrance.com/.  130 miles south of Paris.

Note, some of these only offer certain levels (A2, B1 etc) at certain times

Larger schools or organisations ….

1. Institut de Francais, Villefranche-sur-Mer (near Nice).   https://www.institutdefrancais.com/.   This is apparently where the movie stars and celebs go to learn French!
2. Centre International d’Antibes.  https://www.cia-france.com/french-adults-courses
3. International House, Montpellier.   https://www.ila-france.com/

Home stays ….

Basically you stay with your teacher (either in their house, or in an adjoining granny flat or garden room etc), and have all your meals with them.    Usually there are lessons in the morning and optional afternoon excursions.   Here are a few (I’m sure there are loads more)

1. https://slimmersion-france.com/french-immersions/.    Has approx 30 homestay hosts on their books.
2. https://www.lacedilleimmersion.com/en/home/.  A host in Provence.
3. https://www.live-and-learn-en-provence.com/
4. https://www.immersion-en-provence.com/en/

6 months ago, I spent two weeks at Coeur de France Ecole de Langue in Sancerre. It was a fantastic experience. There were only 6 people in my class, all filled with high intermediate to advanced students at around the same level. We went quickly and reviewed / learned a lot in a short period of time.