Hi all,

First time poster here! I've seen a few other threads on this, but I have a few questions that are specific to my experience that I haven't seen addressed...thus this post!

I've been studying French in the US for the last year, and am determined to get myself to France this year! However, plans with travel buddies keep falling through, so I've decided to look into going by myself. I *think* I'd like to spend a week (or maybe two, if I can swing the vacation days) at one of the schools in France - I figure this is a great way to continue my French learning and also access a (somewhat) built-in social network - so I'm looking for recommendations!

Here's what I'm looking for: First and foremost, because I'll be traveling alone, I'd love to go to a school that promotes a social environment where I can easily get to be friends with the other students, take school-sponsored excursions, etc. I do want the French classes to be worthwhile (and for the experience to be as immersive as possible), but this will also be my only vacation of the year, so I'm actually not looking for an EXTREMELY rigorous program. I've heard that Coeur de France in Sancerre is great, and also Les Trois Points - but haven't heard what the social aspect is like? I'm a 30 year-old-female and very friendly/open, and would like to meet others with the same outlook (age of the other students doesn't matter to me!)

I'm very open to ANY region of France, although I'd like to be close(ish) to a city (a couple hours by train is ok, doesn't have to be Paris) so I can spend at least a weekend in a city after my week-long French program ends (I'm more of a city girl than a rural one, but I see the benefits of studying French in a smaller town where I'll be forced to speak the language everywhere I go!). If possible, I'd love the school to be located in an area where vineyards and wine-tasting are possible excursions. Chateaux, museums, and other cultural activities are an added bonus!

Lastly, I'd like to find a program that is under $1200 (USD) for the full week of classes and accommodations if possible - and less would be GREAT, to give me more $$ to spend on excursions If you know of a program that's outside of that price range, feel free to comment, though - I could potentially go up in budget depending on flight costs.

Thanks so much in advance for your help!

I would recommend Crea Langues in Provence... I have been there several times and have also helped my teacher take groups there over the years. Have a look at their web site Learn french in France, language courses for adults in Provence. I think it would fit the bill for you. You do lessons in the morning and then do excursions in the afternoon, there are choices..these are a terrific way to practice your french in a more relaxed atmosphere. They will organise transfers from Marseilles airport or Aix en Provence train station. The food is sensational and three meals a day are included. There are optional evening activities which are usually games, also great fun.

Our French class went somewhere else last year for a change and it wasn't a patch on Crea Langues...

You've got a lot of options - you might decide based on what part of the country you want to visit. I've been to Coeur de France twice and am headed back for a third time in June when I will spend two weeks at the school. I don't know what one week of tuition/lodging costs but do believe it will be close to what you would like to spend; it is easy enough for you to check on their website. The school offers many off-site excursions, but there is an extra charge for these. Outside of school-sponsored activities, you can easily plan to do things with your classmates; I've hosted a dinner for colleagues each time I have been at the school and have been to dinner at classmates' "homes" in Sancerre. I've made some great friendships at the school - I find the faculty and the students are all really interesting and fun people, and that is what keeps me going back.

The town lends itself to language learning and you'll get very little English. Also, the people who live in Sancerre are very kind and patient with learners! One caveat is that the town is small and is on top of a hill; I find I like to have a car so that I can do things like going to the big Carrefour down the hill (you can walk it but it's not fun to walk up the hill with a pack full of groceries). The first time I was at the school I didn't have a car and started to feel a little isolated by the second week - you're only planning on one week so you'll be fine.

You might watch the videos on the Coeur de France website - they give you a good idea of the charming town and what goes on at the school. I've taken classes with Valerie both times but understand that all teachers are as wonderful as she is.

Bonne chance! You've made a good decision to study in France - immersion earning is, I think, the best way to learn a language.

We've visited the Coeur de France in Sancerre and thought the school a bit isolated for us (my wife and me). One of our closest friends went there many years ago and liked it, though she decided to go elsewhere thereafter because it was so isolated (and on top of a hill that discouraged exploring). We've attended L'Atelier 9 in Paris (several times), L'Institut de Français in Villefranche-sur-Mer, and L'Institut Européen de Français in Montpellier. Of these, the one in Montpellier may be the best choice for you. Montpellier is a fun, student-oriented city. The course at IEF is not that demanding (as opposed to the one in Villefranche, which is!), has students from many countries (not just the US), and includes excursions. The staff at L'Atelier 9 in Paris has had a complete turnover since we lasted attended in 2015, so I can't say what it is like now. Generally speaking, though, I would try to go for 2 weeks or me, if possible, as one week hardly gives you enough time to get into learning French and knowing your classmates (and them, you).

Thanks so much to both of you - this is exactly the type of information I was looking for. Really appreciate the help! Both schools sound amazing! I'm leaning towards Coeur de France because I've never been to Sancerre (I have been all over the Provence region - so might be nice to try something new)! However, CREA sounds really great, so I'm looking it it as well!

Really appreciate the thoughts re. the social interaction at the schools - helping allay my concerns about traveling alone!

Thanks so much! Great information, particularly re L'institut Europeen in Montpellier. When you went to Coeur de France, were you able to visit vineyards and go on excursions in the surrounding area, or did you mostly stick to the school/village (just wondering about the isolation factor - good to know)?

Dear Coquelicot - the town of Chavignol (famous for the crottin, or goat cheese) is quite close to Sancerre. There is a large cheese production facility in the town that you might visit - Chavignol is also is home to many wineries, including Henri Bourgeois. If you walk down the hill in the direction of the big grocery store (I think it is a Carrefour) and continue on (heading towards Saint Satur) you'll find another little town that has some shops, including a hair salon (I got a REALLY good haircut at Espace Coiffeur) and a really cool old church that I explored one day. The school-sponsored excursions include a visit to a vineyard, to a goat farm, and a wine tasting in town. There is also a bus on the weekend that will take you down to Saint Satur for the farmer's market, and a farmer's market also sets up in Sancerre on the weekend. You might check the Coeur de France website to see if they publish a list of available activities - in the past, I've been given a list in my welcome packet.

I don't know how sporty you are, but during my last stay, one of my classmates who was an avid cyclist spent the weekends cycling the vineyards that surround Sancerre. I'm hoping this trip to find some hiking trails down there...I didn't investigate as thoroughly as I should have during my last stay at the school. Again, I will have a car with me but think you can do fine without one. And, some people like the isolation (I myself like the downtime that I find when staying at the school).

This is really great info, dlejhunt - thank you! I'm not a biker, but I do like hiking, so that could be a great option! And thank you for the tip on the hair place - I never would have thought about it, but I LOVE the idea of getting a chic French haircut

The wine and cheese excursions sound great, and I too am looking for a bit of a break from the hustle and bustle of my normal life, so I'm thinking the atmosphere of Sancerre sounds perfect. Doesn't hurt that I love that kind of wine, too!

You may also have a look at a programme in Brittany (western France), combining classes (one-to-one) and tours, and which would fit in your programme.
http://visite.bretagne.free.fr/index...fferently.html