Montpellier
Located on the doorstep of the wild wetlands of Camargue, Montpellier is a gorgeous natural region stretching across the southwest coast of France. Founded in medieval times as a farm and birthplace of La Marseillaise, this once-sleepy university town – now home to 80 000 students which make up 30% of the population – will succeed in charming your senses, taste-buds and eyes in every possible way.
Montpellier is a thriving southern town a-buzz with cultural happenings, flavoursome southern cuisine and multicultural energy centered around the dazzling white-paved pedestrian expanse of the Place de la Comédie, crowned by the Opera House and the place for people-watching and enjoying one leisurely drink after another. Elsewhere in town, l’Ecusson district‘s underground electronica concerts, art house cinema and quirky boutiques will also keep you entertained.
Montpellier is a well-kept French secret, and only a hop, skip and a jump away from beautiful white sandy beaches. It’s a fantastic place to make progress in French while experiencing authentic Languedoc culture.
Our partner school, LSF, is located just a few minutes’ walk to the famous Place de la Comédie with bus and tram stops just 3 minutes away on foot.
School accreditation: Qualité FLE 5*, Campus France
School facilities include:
- 20 bright, fully-equipped and air-conditioned classrooms spread out in 3 different buildings located at a 5mn walk from each other
- 3 SmartBoards
- Flatscreens with broadband Internet and free WiFi access
- Chillout lounge with vending machines with hot drinks and snacks and a water cooler
- Outdoor terrace
- Private garden
- Library and film library
- Tourist information: guidelines, brochures, newspapers, cultural programme
French language courses: the basics
- Lesson length: 45 minutes
- Class size: average 8 students (10 maximum)
- Schedule: morning and/or afternoon lessons. During summer and the high season, the school reserve the right to organize the standard courses in the morning or the afternoon, in order to preserve the teaching quality
- Placement test: written test before departure, speaking assessment on the first day of lessons
- Certificate of completion at the end of your stay
- Access ot the school e-learning platform during your stay (access to course summaries, self-corrective exercises, grammar and vocabulary sheets, oral and written comprehension exercises, school activities,…)
- Weekly progress tests to make sure you are ready to move up
- Qualified native French teachers
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:
- Guided tour of Montpellier
- Museum outings
- Traditional Montpellier apéritif tasting
- Sports: football, handball, bowling, ice skating
- Day trips to Avignon, Pont du Gard, Regional Nature Park of the Camargue, Saint Guilhem-le-Désert, Clamouse Caves, Carcassonne, etc
Single room, shared bathroom and breakfast included.
Travel time to our partner school: the carefully selected host families live about 35 minutes away from the school. They are located nearby or just a short bus or tram ride away.
Optional extra:
- Half board
Practical Information:
- Linens/towels provided
- Laundry: your host family will let you use their laundry facilities once a week or let you know their laundry day
- Airport or railway station round-trip transfer included
Residence L’Observatoire – 1 rue Henri Guinier
Individual Studio Features:
- 1 single bed, 1 desk, 1 chair
- A TV corner
- Small kitchen (fridge, electric hob, microwave, cupboards, cutlery and dishes)
- Private bathroom
- No meals included
- Travel time to school: approx. 10 minutes on foot
- Located in the city centre, 10 minutes on foot away from Place de la Comédie
- Deposit to be paid upon arrival (see Dates & Prices tab), refunded at the end of your stay provided no damages are incurred
Facilities and services
- Bed linen provided (students should bring their own towels)
- 2 common areas with TV and Netflix
- WiFi access
- Bicycle parking
- Mailboxes
- Self-study area
- Coin laundry facilities
- Cleaning service once per month
- Reception 7/7 days (Monday- Saturday 9:00 to 12:00 am and 2:00 to 6:00 pm, permanence ensured on Sundays)
- Night watchman
Please Note: Your studio must be left in good condition. A cleaning service is available, with a supplement if washing the dishes is required.
*Double Studio only available for participants travelling together
The apartments or houses are located in the historic centre of Montpellier or in the surrounding area. This option is available during the summer or for long stays during the school year.
Characteristics :
- Single room
- Common equipped kitchen
- No meals included
- Shared bathroom
- Travel time to school: within 30 minutes of school
- Geographical location: variable
- Deposit to be paid on the spot, refundable by the school at the end of the stay if no damage is found.
Equipment/Services available :
- Sheets provided
- Towels not provided
- Wi-Fi
Travel
Arrivals: Sunday
Departures: Saturday
Residence reception opening hours:
- 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m.-6:00p.m. (Monday-Saturday)
Year round the night watchman arrives at 10:00 p.m. on Saturdays and 8:00 p.m. on Sundays.
- Arrival airports and stations:
- Montpellier St-Roch, Sud de France, Nîmes or Marseille Airport or Railway Station
Please note that if you have opted for Residence accommodation, only airport transfers are available (on request, fees apply, see Dates & Prices tab). An additional fee may be charged for transfers between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. The residence is located 300m from Montpellier Railway Station.
If you have opted for a Homestay, airport or railway station transfers are included in the price of your stay. Your host family will pick you up and drop you off.
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 2021
Course start dates: Courses start every Monday, year-round except otherwise indicated as follow. In case Monday is a Bank Holiday, the course starts on Tuesday.
Course start dates for complete 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 & Cooking courses start every Monday
Bank holidays and holidays (No lessons will take place on these dates and will be rescheduled during the week): 01/01, 05/04, 13/05, 24/05, 01/11, 11/11. The school will be closed during the Christmas holidays from 18/12/2021.
Prices 2021
All taxes and enrolment fees included
| Lessons and accommodation in a host family, individual room, breakfast included | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 20 lessons per week | 26 lessons per week | 30 lessons per week |
| 1 week | € 485 | € 555 | € 585 |
| 2 weeks | € 835 | € 975 | € 1.035 |
| 3 weeks | € 1.215 | € 1.425 | € 1.515 |
| 4 weeks | € 1.550 | € 1.830 | € 1.950 |
| 6 weeks | € 2.285 | € 2.705 | € 2.885 |
| 8 weeks | € 2.860 | € 3.420 | € 3.660 |
| 10 weeks | € 3.550 | € 4.250 | € 4.550 |
| 12 weeks | € 4.005 | € 4.845 | € 5.205 |
| 16 weeks | € 5.315 | € 6.435 | € 6.915 |
| 18 weeks | € 5.970 | € 7.230 | € 7.770 |
| 20 weeks | € 6.220 | € 7.620 | € 8.220 |
| 24 weeks | € 7.450 | € 9.130 | € 9.850 |
| 32 weeks | € 9.905 | € 12.145 | € 13.105 |
| 36 weeks | € 11.135 | € 13.655 | € 14.735 |
| Extra week | € 305 | € 375 | € 405 |
| Lessons and accommodation in a host family, individual room, breakfast included | |||
| Duration | 20 group lessons & 10 private | 26 group lessons & 4 private | French & Cookery |
| 1 week | € 910 | € 730 | € 645 |
| 2 weeks | € 1.740 | € 1.380 | € 1.170 |
| 3 weeks | € 2.570 | € 2.030 | € 1.610 |
| 4 weeks | € 3.350 | € 2.630 | € 2.110 |
| 6 weeks | € 4.985 | € 3.905 | #REF! |
| 8 weeks | € 6.460 | € 4.860 | #REF! |
| 10 weeks | € 8.050 | € 6.050 | #REF! |
| Extra week | #REF! | € 575 | #REF! |
| DELF/DALF preparation and accommodation in a host family, individual room, breakfast included | |||
| Duration | DELF/DALF | ||
| 5 weeks | € 2.360 | ||
| Accommodation extras | |||
| Extra night | € 45 | ||
| Host family - Half board (per week) | € 50 | ||
| Special diet (Vegan, Lactose or Gluten free, etc.) per week | € 50 | ||
| Residence - double or individual room (per week and per person) | € 60 | ||
| Transfers | |||
| Trip | One-way | Round | |
| From Montpellier station to the residence | € 40 | € 80 | |
| From Montpellier airport to the residence | € 60 | € 120 | |
| Host family: round transfer from Montpellier airport/railway station to accommodation included | |||
| Arrival between 22.00 and 07.00: extra fee (please contact us) | |||
Prices include:
- Your chosen course and accommodation
- Single-room homestay, breakfast included
- If homestay: round-trip transfer from and to Montpellier airport or railway station
- Course materials
- Access to all school facilities
- Access to school Moodle platform
- Guided tour of Montpellier
- All school taxes and enrolment fees
Prices do not include:
- Travel to and from Montpellier
- Airport/Railway station transfers, if residence
- Deposit on arrival, and cleaning service where applicable
- Visa fees
- Optional insurances
