French in Lyon

Immerse yourself in French culture in one of France’s foremost student towns. Behind its grand Renaissance façades and hôtels particuliers, Lyon’s old town and traboules bustle with shops, bars and restaurants galore. This is France’s true Mecca of cuisine, embodied in the hearty fare of Lyon’s traditional bouchons, mom-and-pop outfits where robust plates of special local cold cuts, dumplings and deep-fried bugnes await the hungry traveler.

Lyon was UNESCO-listed in 1998 for its stunning architectural heritage, encompassing a Roman theatre, huge pedestrian squares and beautiful churches – perfect for a walk after sampling the local delicacies. The city is also a hub for the arts, with concerts, exhibitions and other cultural happenings on every night of the week, for a true experience of la vie française. Big enough for a city feel, small enough that it still has heart: no wonder Lyon is a top destination for the French.

Morning view on Jacobins square and beautiful fountain in Lyon city, France

Lyon Bleu School (Ages 18+)

Lyon Bleu International has been providing quality French as a Foreign Language courses since 1999. The school is located in the city centre, nestled between the old town and the Central Business District, with plenty of public transport options and a warm, trendy and lively atmosphere.

Accreditations: FLE Quality Label; FLE Group member, IALC member, Campus France member, certified by CSN (Swedish government) and Germany’s Bildungsurlaub. Also officially recognized as a quality-assured French language school by the French Ministry of Education.

School facilities include:

• 14 classrooms
• IT suite
• “Chill out” area with hot & cold drinks vending machines
• Free WiFi access

Course

French lessons : the basics

• Lesson length: 45 minutes
• Class size: average 7-9 students (12 maximum, 3 minimum)
• Schedule: morning and/or afternoon lessons according to different levels
• Placement test: on-line written test before departure, oral assessment test on the first day of lessons
• Weekly progress tests
• Certificate of completion at the end of the stay
• Free tutoring, subject to availability
• Qualified native French teachers

Standard Course: 15 general French lessons per week

Minimum stay: 1 week (2 weeks recommended)

3 French lessons per day (Monday-Friday) will give you a practical understanding of the French language and take you all the way to fluency. See your confidence improve as our partner school trains you in all four communication skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Language level: Beginner to Advanced. Please note this course is not suitable for Complete beginners.

Intensive Course: 25 general French lessons per week

Minimum stay: 1 week (2 weeks for complete beginners)

Includes 5 French lessons per day, Monday-Friday. Lessons are interactive and focused on practical, hands-on activities.

Language level: A1-C1. Complete beginners must book at least 2 weeks. You will then be able to continue with the Intensive course or switch to another course as preferred.

Combo Course: 15 or 25 group lessons per week + 5 or 10 private lessons

Minimum stay: 1 week

Maximum stay: 6 weeks

This programme is very flexible and ideal for students seeking fast results. It includes 15 or 25 group lessons and allows you to personalise your course by taking an additional 5 or 10 private lessons tailored to your personal language needs.

• Semi-Intensive Combo 1 : 15 group lessons + 5 private lessons
• Semi-Intensive Combo 2 : 15 group lessons + 10 private lessons
• Intensive Combo 1 : 25 group lessons + 5 private lessons
• Intensive Combo 2 : 25 group lessons + 10 private lessons

Language level: A1-C1. Please note this course is not suitable for complete beginners.

French & Culture: 15 general French lessons per week + cultural activities

Maximum stay: 2 weeks

This programme includes the Semi-Intensive Course and an activity programme in and around Lyon that celebrates French culture and Lyon’s cultural heritage. General French lessons are held in the morning and the activities take place in the afternoon. This course is held at specific dates (see the Dates & Prices 2019 tab). Particularly recommended for students 50 and up.

Required language Level: lower-intermediate and up

Activities and events during your stay

You will enjoy a varied calendar of social and leisure activities every week, in the afternoon or during the evening. Attendance is optional. Many of these activities are free of charge, however, some may charge a fee. All activities are subject to change without notice and may be offered seasonally.

Some of the many activities available include:

• Art and culture: guided tour of Lyon, plays, museum outings, art exhibitions, concerts
• Sports: cycling, swimming, ice skating
• Lyon like a local: cinema outings, clubs, restaurants, cafes, bars, wine tasting
• Theme nights for students to show off their French skills

Accommodation

Homestay

Single room, shared bathroom, kitchen access (details to be arranged with your host family.)

Host Family Criteria: Host families sign our partner school’s Charter of Commitment, guaranteeing quality stays and services.

Travel time to our partner school: Our partner school’s carefully selected host families usually live in residential areas near the school, accessible on foot or by bus.

Optional extra:

• Half board (breakfast and dinner)

Practical Information:

• Linens/towels provided
• Laundry: use of the family laundry facilities once a week

Residence

This is a great option for students looking for a bit more independence. Our partner school works with hotel residences that rotate depending on availability and length of stay.

Features:

• Single occupancy or for 2-persons travelling and applying together furnished studios
• Private kitchen
• Private bathroom
• Self-catering
• Travel time to school: approx. 10-15 minutes by public transport, 15-30 minutes walk, depending on the residence
• Located near our partner schools
• Deposit to be paid on arrival for stays exceeding 3 weeks (€450 for stays between 3 and 12 weeks, €650 for stays exceeding 12 weeks). It is refundable by the school at the end of the stay if no damage is observed. For long stays (13 weeks and up), a mandatory home insurance fee of €70 is due (cash payments only to be paid on arrival.)

Facilities and services

• Linens/towels provided
• Crockery and cutlery
• Internet and TV included

Optional extra:

• Breakfast (on request, to be paid upfront.)

Practical Information

Travel

Arrivals: Sunday afternoon

Departures: Saturday morning

• Closest arrival airports and stations:
• Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport
• Lyon Part-Dieu Railway Station

Airport transfers available on request (fees apply, see the Dates & Prices 2019 tab)

Homestay (pick-up only):

If you have opted for a Homestay and are arriving at Lyon Part-Dieu Railway Station, your host family with come and pick you up on arrival. Please note that no drop-off service is available on departure.

If you are arriving at Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport, you can take the RhônExpress tram to Lyon Part-Dieu Railway Station *in the city centre) where your host family will welcome you, or book a taxi transfer (fees apply, see the Dates & Prices 2019 tab) straight to your homestay.

Residence accommodation:

If you have opted for residence accommodation and are arriving at Lyon Part-Dieu Railway Station, you will have to make your own way to your accommodation. If you are arriving at Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport, you can take the Rhônexpress tram to Lyon Part-Dieu Railway Station (in the city centre) or book a taxi transfer (fees apply, see the Dates & Prices 2019 tab) straight to your accommodation.

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 2022

Dates 2022

Course start dates: Most courses start every Monday, year-round (see exceptions below).

Intensive Course start dates for complete beginners (intensive courses) : 10/01, 21/02, 07/03, 25/04, 09/05, 20/06, 04/07, 22/08, 05/09, 17/10, 31/10, 5/12

French & Culture Course start dates: 17/01, 14/02, 21/03, 25/04, 16/04, 13/06, 04/07, 25/07, 22/08, 12/09, 10/10, 14/11, 05/12

Bank holidays and holidays (No lessons will take place on these dates and they will not be made up nor refunded): 18/04, 26/05, 06/06, 14/07, 01/11, 11/11 and from 17/12/22 to 02/01/23

Prices 2022

All taxes and enrolment fees included

Prices include:

• Your chosen course and accommodation type
• Breakfast (Homestay only)
• Course materials
• Access to all school facilities
• All school taxes and enrolment fees

Prices do not include:

• Travel to Lyon
• Airport or station transfers
• Lunch and dinner for Homestay; all meals for residence accommodation
• Optional extras
• Transportation in and around Lyon
• Residence accommodation deposit on arrival, when applicable (€450 for stays between 3 and 12 weeks, €650 for stays exceeding 12 weeks – to be paid on arrival)
• Visa fees (if any)
• Optional insurances