I am planning to stay in the French Riviera for 6 weeks in late April to May/early June with my husband with the purpose of improving my French fluency and of course absorbing French culture. I am an educational professional in my mid fifties who has just stepped back from 15 years as an educational leader and would like to get back to my roots as a French teacher (15 years prior to leadership). I have taken students on several trips in Europe but all are fast paced and tend to have been in the most touristy areas. The French Riviera appeals to me as I love the coast, and have spent most of my previous journeys to France in Paris, the Loire Valley, and a little bit of Provence.
I am pondering where to stay as a home base - ideally a place where I can easily take trains and buses to explore other towns on the French Riviera and possibly into the Italian Riviera too. Provence is also a place where would love to spend time. Smaller towns appeal to me most, and I had considered Villefranche-sur-mer. However, as this is a very touristy town with daily cruise ships, I feel that I will not meet my goal of immersing myself in the French language. Nice is much bigger, but perhaps more space for me to explore.
I would need to find a reasonable place to rent that has air conditioning, in suite laundry and a kitchen, as I intend to shop at markets and cook for myself much of the time. A nice living space would be lovely - perhaps a balcony or patio with a view. Ideally one or two home bases would be ideal. Somewhere safe, where I will meet locals but also within walking distance to markets, shops and interesting sites/beaches.
Any suggestions would be so welcome.
Posted by
Seattle, WA & Bordeaux, France
355 posts
Hi there! I would say, smaller, less touristy towns will offer you more opportunity to practice and improve your French as it is more likely that you will encounter fewer people who speak English. If your husband does not speak French, only English, then that will be an additional hurdle (speaking from experience.) Once you've decided on an area, you could then research local classes in French (yoga, pottery, painting, etc.) as well as local conversation groups.
Posted by
USA
417 posts
Although I've never been there I've heard Menton is a great place to stay.
Posted by
France Southwest
2503 posts
A suggestion for starting an immersion:
Go to the Gites de France website and stay in the French version.
https://www.gites-de-france.com/fr
When you select an accommodation you can see a "spoken language" section
Keep those who only speak French
And don't be surprised, on the French Riviera and Provence they don't speak French like in Paris