norma75

I'm looking for a 2 week program in Aix en Provence for end of Sept/beg Oct. Kevin , I hope you read this and can respond. I am 72, just want to take morning classes , activities in afternoon, drink cafe avec une baguette et du fromage from my balcony and have fun. French is not for credit, just because I love the language. Anyone have ideas or suggestions? Appreciate all the help. Was going to go with AHI travel for a month but they are booked up, no space left. Help!

billandcindy

My wife and I (not too much younger than you) looked at studying French in Aix (and even visited a school there) but decided to study in Paris instead. Studied 9 weeks last Spring and going back to the same school in May for another 4 weeks. The school: L'Atelier 9. Classes run from 9-1 (with one 30 minute break). There are, of course, schools all over the country. The problem is that there is little information out there assessing the various courses. I read an article (circa 2005, I think) discussing L'Atetlier 9 and some other schools, and then my wife and I spent some time in 2011 visiting a handful of them while on a 2-week vacation. We settled on L'Atelier 9, and are pleased that we did. Good luck!!

grandmere

I realize you want to go to Aix, but I will recommend another school in France that is low key and would enable you to live the good life with du fromage, une baguette et du vin, while studying French. Coeur de France in Sancerre.
www.coeurdefrance.com

Printemps

I spent two weeks in Aix at the IS Schoolhttp://www.is-aix.com/spip.php?rubrique2
several years ago and enjoyed it very much. I loved staying in Aix
(it was my first time there) and the school had a good mix of students---different ages and nationalities. Can't rate the school against others but I considered it very worthwhile. If you do go to Aix I can recommend
http://www.restaurant-sarments.com/. It is about a 25 minute scenic bus trip
to Puyloubier with great view of Mont St Victoire en route. Food is excellent. This year I am taking a French course in Nice but plan to spend a week in Aix.

norma75

Thanks so much. What school are you going to in Nice and why not return to Aix. I am open to other places. Kevin, hope you read this and reply. Thanks norma75

Printemps

In Nice I am taking a month long course at http://www.actilangue.com/ but really just picked it out of a hat, so to speak. The price was right and it is not far from the apartment I have rented. Was in Nice last year and really liked it so decided to try a school there. I signed on before the end of last year and got 20% off the price. I am around your age and am not exactly a serious language student but enjoy the learning experience.
No good reason that I didn't go back to the Aix school, just wanted to try something different. Also I like being near the water. You might enjoy a visit to Cassis from Aix. It is charming.

Sarastro

There are a couple of language schools in France I strongly recommend and if you are in Aix-en-Provence attending IEFEE (Institut d´Études Françaises pour Étudiants Étrangers), it is one of the best in the country.

With only two weeks however, you may also want to take a look at this school (if you have any time left in France) as time and time again I run into people who have studied there and loved it:

http://www.institutdefrancais.com/

norma75

I looked up Actilangue and also found it interesting. I also like being near water and the cost was reasonable, in fact about $900 less than the Aix school. When are you going to Nice? I was looking at staying in what they call Apart/hotel Citadines. Do you have any info on that? thanks Norma75

Printemps

I am starting my French class on May 27 and am taking the course with afternoon lessons in conversation. Have never stayed in one of the Citadines apart/hotels but
think they are pretty good. In Aix I rented an apartment just off the Cours Mirabeau on
rue Thiers and have returned there a couple of times since. It has, in my opinion, a
perfect location and was very happy there. In Nice I am renting an apartment around the corner from the Promenade des Anglais near the Negresco. It is a bit of a noisy location but that doesn't bother me and it is very convenient to buses etc. If you do go to Aix I am sure you will enjoy the experience. It is a very charming town with great markets. Nice is much more urban but I like that as well. I found everyone very friendly in both places.