French in Annecy

Annecy

Our French courses in Annecy allow you to study French in the middle of the Alps and enjoy all that high mountain has to offer: skiing, snowboarding, hiking, climbing, extreme sports…

Annecy is a charming little town with a medieval historic centre and numerous canals which earned it the well-deserved nickname of “Little Venice of the Alps“. It is borded by a beautiful lake where you can practise all kinds of water sports, go for long walks or bike rides along its shores. Annecy is close to the biggest skiing area in the world – the Three Valleys – , but also to the most famous ski resorts such as Chamonix Mont Blanc, Avoriaz, Val d’Isère or Tignes.

Why choose Annecy?

A very charming historic town, surrounded by a lake and mountains
A dream destination for high-mountain enthusiasts in winter as well as in summer
Several types of courses for all levels
High quality education and test centre for the TCF
French + ski programme
Friendly family atmosphere school located 8 minutes walk from the historic centre and the train station
A lively cultural life: carnival, festivals, shows…
A town close to Lyon and Geneva, easy to reach by train

Our partner school, IFALPES, has been specialized for more than 30 years in teaching French as a Foreign Language (FLE).

Courses are ensured by an experienced and passionate teaching team and take place in a warm atmosphere conducive to quality learning.

Recently renovated, the school is located 8 minutes on foot from the historic centre of Annecy and welcome more than 600 students from all 5 continents throughout the year.

School accreditation: Qualité FLE, Campus France, test centre for the TCF exam, member of EAQUALS and Groupement FLE

School facilities include:

7 fully equipped and bright classrooms
High speed Internet access with free WIFI throughout the building
Relaxation area with a vending machine for hot drinks – coffee, tea, chocolate – and snacks
Private garden
Cafeteria area equipped with fridges and microwaves for lunch breaks
Resource room where you can borrow for free: novels, textbooks and French films to optimize your learning
Tourist information: guides, brochures, newspapers, cultural programs
IFALPES Roadbook offered

French language courses: the basics

Lesson length: 45 minutes
Class size: average 8 students (15 maximum)
Schedule: morning and afternoon lessons
Placement test: written test before departure, speaking assessment on the first day of lessons
Level required: from false beginner level (A1) to advanced level (C1/C2)
Certificate of completion at the end of your stay
Each week, a test will allow you to measure the progress you made
Free and unlimited access to the e-learning platform (access to grammar, vocabulary and conjugation exercises and lessons, written production, written and oral comprehensions, phonetics)

20 general French lessons per week

Intensive French courses are perfect for students who wish to improve their French language skills, while having free time to visit Annecy and its surroundings. See your confidence improve as our partner school trains you in all 5 necessary skills to acquire the language: oral comprehension, oral production, oral interaction, written comprehension and written production.

Language level: false beginner (A1) to advanced (C2)

40 general French lessons per week

Super intensive French courses are designed for students who want to make rapid progress and deepen their knowledge of French culture. This programme aims to reinforce the oral and written practice of French through courses focused on oral comprehension, production and interaction.

Language level: false beginner (A1) to advanced (C1)

20 general French lessons per week + weekend skiing sessions*

You will be able to ski in the biggest skiing area in the world with 600 kilometers of slopes in the 3 Valleys (Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens…) as well as in the other 110 ski resorts (Chamonix, Avoriaz, Val d’Isère, Tignes, etc.) that offer 4 800 kilometers of slopes!

Language level: false beginner (A1) to advanced (C2)

Period: from January to March

2 weeks	2 ski trips
3 weeks	4 ski trips
4 weeks	6 ski trips
5 weeks	8 ski trips
6 weeks	10 ski trips
7 weeks	12 ski trips
8 weeks	14 ski trips
9 weeks	16 ski trips
10 weeks	18 ski trips

20 general French lessons per week + 4, 6 or 10 individual lessons

In addition to the intensive course, the student follows individual lessons, mainly focused on the preparation of the chosen exam. List of exams prepared:

DELF/DALF (A1 to C2)
DFP
TCF
MATURA
A LEVEL

Many online course options are available with your teacher and the other students in your level group.

You can attend the courses at any time, but also when you return to keep making progress or at any time that suits you best.

The same level of course quality that is practiced in the school’s classrooms is used for online courses. Students are followed by the same teacher throughout the course week in order to offer the best possible pedagogical follow-up.

The hybrid option allows to create a direct link between the distance learning sessions and the immersion session at the school if you decide to come to IFALPES Annecy. Moreover, pedagogical continuity is assured.

The course of the hybrid training:

Online classes → Access to the e-learning platform → Immersive language stay → Access to the e-learning platform → End of the training

Language level: beginner to advanced

This option does not include a language immersion stay. You work with your teacher in private lessons according to your level and the objectives you have communicated to your teacher. The standard option is particularly adapted if you have very specific objectives and you lack time to come and follow a language immersion stay in France.

Our partner school promotes the learning of French through a communicative approach, encouraging students to communicate in French, whether in oral or written form. The school also advocates an active and participatory approach, promoting speech and exchanges between students. Besides, teachers use an objective-based approach. Their lessons are organised according to linguistic and communicative objectives in order to be able to assess students on their progress.

In a unique natural setting between lake and mountains, Annecy is a destination where sports and leisure activities can be organised by the school throughout the year at reduced prices or at cost price. Activities vary according to the season:

Alpine and cross country skiing
Snowshoeing
Sledding
Windsurfing
Wakeboarding
Canyoning
Kayaking
Snorkelling
Hiking
Climbing
Mountain biking

Every month, the school offers different outings and cultural activities in the town (visiting museums, exhibitions, tasting regional products…) but also on famous sites in the region (Chamonix, Geneva, Lyon…).

Single room, breakfast included

Staying with a host family is ideal if you want to discover French culture and deepen your knowledge of the language. The school is in charge of selecting the families and visiting them.

Travel time to our partner school: host families are located in Annecy or in nearby towns and live on average 15 to 20 minutes from the school (on foot or by public transport)

Pratical information:

Wi-Fi access
Washing machine available once a week

Optional extra:

Half-board

Residence accommodation includes individual studios for students looking for more privacy and comfort. Some studios can accommodate up to two people travelling together (please contact us for more information).

Zenitude/Pont-Neuf Residences

Individual or shared studio with kitchen, no meals included

Both residences have similar characteristics. The Pont-Neuf residence has slightly more spacious accommodations.

Zenitude Residence – Travel time to our partner school: 15 minutes by public transport

Pont-Neuf Residence – Travel time to our partner school: 5 minutes walk

Availability: minimum 4 weeks

Features:

Fully-equipped kitchen
Basic kitchen utensils*
Bathroom
Bed linen provided
Towels provided
Flat screen TV
Wi-Fi access

Facilities and services:

Luggage storage
Bike shelter
Loan of board games*
Loan of iron and board*
Weekly cleaning service of the room
Change of sheets and towels every fortnight (to be brought to the reception)
Car park (extra service)
Laundromat (charged)
Reception 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

*Each material loaned can be subject to guarantee.

Séjours & Affaires Apparthotel

Aparthotel accommodation is also available on request for periods ranging from 1 week to 3 months

Prices and availabilities: please contact us

Travel

Arrival day: Sunday
Departure day: Saturday

Arrival airports and stations:

Geneva airport (GVA) – Genève-Cointrin international airport

Located 44km away, it is the closest international airport to Annecy

By bus: from 1 hour to 2 hours journey
T72 line: https://www.transalis.fr/fr/destinations/ligne-t72-annecy-cruseilles-geneve
FlixBus: https://www.flixbus.fr/
OuiBus: https://fr.ouibus.com/

Lyon airport (LYS) – Lyon Saint-Exupéry international airport

By bus: from 1 hour to 3 hours journey
FlixBus: https://www.flixbus.fr/
OuiBus: https://fr.ouibus.com/

Transfers are available on request (see Dates and Prices)

Annecy train station (transfers are included in the price of your stay)

Please note: do not make travel arrangements until we have confirmed your enrolment in your chosen course.

Visa information

You might need a visa for this course. For more information please visit our Visa Information page.

Do not hesitate to contact us by phone or email if you require any additional information.

Dates & Prices 2021

Dates 2021

Intensive and super intensive French courses start every Monday, except for beginner level students.

Course start dates for beginners: 04/01, 01/02, 01/03, 29/03, 03/05, 31/05, 05/07, 02/08, 06/09, 04/10, 08/11, 06/12

French and ski programme start dates: please contact us

Bank holidays: 05/04, 24/05, 01/11

Christmas holidays: from 18/12/2021 to 02/01/2022 included

Lessons lost during the holidays will be compensated by extra lessons on the other days of the week.

Prices 2021

Course, homestay, B&B
Length of course	20 L	40 L	French + Ski
1 week	€ 580	€ 740	-
2 weeks	€ 885	€ 1.205	€ 1.545
3 weeks	€ 1.185	€ 1.665	€ 2.205
4 weeks	€ 1.460	€ 2.060	€ 2.860
6 weeks	€ 2.150	€ 3.050	€ 4.250
8 weeks	€ 2.680	€ 3.880	€ 5.480
10 weeks	€ 3.330	€ 4.830	€ 6.830
12 weeks	€ 3.740	€ 5.540	-
16 weeks	€ 4.960	€ 7.360	-
18 weeks	€ 5.570	€ 8.270	-
20 weeks	€ 5.780	€ 9.180	-
24 weeks	€ 6.920	€ 11.000	-
32 weeks	€ 9.200	€ 14.640	-
36 weeks	€ 10.340	€ 16.460	-
Extra week	€ 285	€ 455	-
Course supplements (Private tuition/Exam preparation)
4 lessons/week	€ 240
6 lessons/week	€ 360
10 lessons/week	€ 600
Accommodation supplements
Homestay - half-board	€ 55
Residence - Zenitude (per month)	€ 150
Residence- Pont-Neuf (per month)	€ 205
Return transfers
Geneva airport (GVA)	€ 260
Lyon airport (LYS)	€ 500

Prices include:

Chosen course
Single-room homestay, breakfast included
Course materials and IFALPES Roadbook
Certificate of completion
Access to the school’s e-learning platform throughout the stay
Round-trip transfer from and to Annecy train station
All school taxes and enrolment fees

Prices do not include:

Travel to and from Annecy
Transfers from Geneva or Lyon airports to the residence
Deposit on arrival and cleaning service (if applicable, to be paid on site)
Visa fees
Optional insurances
Tourist tax (residences)

Similar programmes

Learn French in Montpellier

Study French in Montpellier! Ages 16+, from 1 week. Standard, intensive or super intensive courses. French and Cooking. Homestay or Residence accommodation. 1 week starting from €470 (20 lessons, Homestay with single room, self catering)

French in Nice

Study French in Nice! Ages 17+, from 1 week. Standard and intensive French, combo courses, general French, DELF/DALF exam preparation courses. Homestay or residence accommodation. 1 week from €640 (20 lessons, Homestay, no meals included).

French in Lyon

Study French in Lyon! Ages 18+, from 1 week. Semi-intensive, intensive and combo courses, General French, French & Culture and French & Cooking Course. Homestay or residence accommodation. 1 week from €395 (15 lessons, Homestay, breakfast.) Half board available with Homestay only.

French in Aix-en-Provence

Study French in Aix-en-Provence! Ages 18+, from 2 weeks. Standard or intensive general French, standard or intensive business French, combo courses, private lessons, long-term course. Homestay or residence accommodation. 2 weeks from €1290, 4 weeks from €2395, 16 weeks from €7255 (20 lessons, homestay, half board).