Has anyone attending a cooking school or language school or both in France.
Any recommendations will be appreciated.

There is a wide variety of cooking classes as I discovered when I went looking for a place. It depends on if you want a Kathy Alex or Paricia Wells type or a recreational type school. (differences in price, too) I am attending a cooking class and tour in Languedoc area mid July with side trips to olive oil farm,farm that makes goat cheese,& a trip down the canal Midi. Can't help as far as language schools but probably could use one.

We did Kathy Alex's "Cooking with Friends" week near Grasse, in the south of France a couple of years ago. It was terrific. We stayed in Julia Child's home (Kathy now owns it) and our cooking lessons were in her kitchen. We arrived in time for Sunday evening dinner and left after breakfast the next Saturday. There were lessons three mornings, followed by lunch with wine. One day we went to a two star restaurant in Mougins for a lesson with the chef, followed by lunch and another day we went to the market in Cannes, a cheese cave and the kitchen of the Palm d'Or restaurant, followed by a fabulous lunch on the terrace. Everything was top notch, one of the best vacations I have ever had. Afternoons and evenings were free to sightsee or relax. Kathy conducts the classes and is a very gracious host. Accomodations are also in Simone Beck's house (she wrote "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" with Julia Child and the houses are next door). We did a family trip - my mother, husband, two sons and their wives and everyone really enjoyed it. In fact, it interested my sons in cooking and they are now both the primary cooks in their families. I highly recommend it. You can check it out at cookingwithfriends.com.

jlsayre-what is the difference in Kathy Alex and Patricia Wells??
Thanks for your help.
Bevk:
Thanks a lot for your reply. I will check out cooking with friends, and would love to hear of your trip in July in detail.

a poster named jayelle went to Paris and attended this school, the symbols are manipulated.
www.elfe-paris.com

To jlsayre:
If you happen to open this thread again, I would like to ask you, if I may, what cooking class and tour you will be attending in the Languedoc area. Thanks.
Joy

There's an excellent French language school in Villefranche, near Nice. Can't remember the name, but my mom went there; it's an intensive one month course.

Glad I checked back in because I can share a few more things. First of all from friends that have been to both schools (Patricia Wells and Kathy Alex) have very much enjoyed them. Like I said the cost is what comes into play for the same time period it runs about 2000 dollars more from the one I'm going on. I love to travel and like experiencing all types of prople and places. I feel you don't need to travel first class all the time. Some of my best travels have been the less costly. I am taking this tour by www.theinternationalcooking.com
based out of Chicago, Ill. talk to Karen or Agnes very helpfull. They have trips to France and Italy with english speaking guides. Some small and others large groups I am going this time with a friend just 2 of us. Can't wait. Haven't seen this area of the country.

I did a lot of research to locate the right language school in France for me a few years ago. Initially I thought I would absolutely not do Paris, but I finally ended up there for a 3 week full immersion course at the American University in Paris.
In my 40s, I hesitated to stay with a family, but fortunately was in Paris with my husband 2 months prior and the school arranged for me to meet Mrs. Porcaro, my future landlady. It was an experience I will never forget.
We met 5 days a week from 9-1, had lunch with an instructor, then had optional classes available. 2 afternoons a week I took a conversation class, 2 afternoons a week we walked different neighborhoods with an architectural historian and saw things we would have never appreciated on our own. He ws the best part of the 3 weeks. Our morning teacher was excellent, she teaches at the Sorbonne during the school year, teaches at this school in the summer. The class was half college aged students and half like me (40s or so). It was an interesting mix.
The 3 weeks made a great difference in my French skills. The family I lived with was friendly, but allowed me my privacy and I had kitchen privileges without eating with them. Not all students were as happy with their accomodations, but could ask for a change.
To have the wonders of Paris available for late afternoon walks and evening events is like no other visit I'd ever had to the city. I took advantage of student tickets to opera, ballet, and took day trips to Rouen, Giverny, etc.