It can be difficult for students to determine where to learn French. Most students seeking to learn French are always looking for the best places to go.
Students often find themselves romanticizing the idea of learning French in Paris. Although strolling along the Champs-Élysées, visiting The Louvre, and shopping at Galerie de Lafayette are great advantages to learning French in Paris, there are many other exciting and more affordable regions to learn French besides the capital city.
Montpellier, France
Let’s take a look at Montpellier, France. It’s located in the south of France. The city is well known for its beautiful neoclassical architecture and has been named the center of higher education in France. It’s the second largest city of France.The historic heart of Montpellier is Écusson. This pedestrianized area of the city is ideal for strolling around the sun-dappled streets, stopping into boutique shops, and enjoying a cup of coffee at one of the numerous beautiful cafes.
The beach of Espiguette is the crown jewel of the coastline near Montpellier. It’s rolling white sand dunes, untamed grasslands, and crystal blue lakes are truly breathtaking. It’s a big, long beach, so even in peak season it doesn’t feel as crowded as other beaches in the region. If your dream is to study French in the south of France, Montpellier is a must.
Tours, France
Tours is a university town located between the Cher and Loire rivers in France. This region is known as the Loire Valley. Tours is the perfect getaway to the Loire Valley’s chateaux. The cathedral, Saint-Gatien, is a major landmark, with a magnificent Gothic front flanked by towers with 12th-century bases and Renaissance crowns.
Tours is located in the center part of France only 2 hours from Paris. It has a train station where you could easily visit some of the castles in the area.
Tours is not only the center of Gastronmie of France, it is the only city where French is not spoken with an accent which makes it the best city to learn French. There are endless restaurants in Tours, and in the summertime the city is well known for guinguette ( a place for social gathering) located by the Loire river.
Dijon, France
Dijon is the capital of the ancient Burgundy region in eastern France, which is also one of the country’s major wine-producing regions. The Musée des Beaux-Arts, founded in 1787 and housed in the huge Palace of the Dukes, houses a vast collection of paintings, sculptures, crafts, and antiques.
Dijon is recognized for its traditional mustard, vineyard tours, an autumn gourmet fair, and a variety of architectural styles ranging from Gothic to Art Deco.
If you ask anyone, they most likely have heard of Dijon mustard, Burgundy wine, boeuf bourguignon, and Burgundy snails. Gustave Eiffel was born in Dijon. The city also holds the International Gastronomy Fair every November for two weeks. It is one of France’s top ten food fairs. When you factor in the love of food and wine, the diverse architecture, and the long history, you get the best place to study French. If you were to choose to study French in Dijon, you will never be bored.
Bordeaux, France
Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in southern France and the heart of the celebrated wine-growing area. However, Bordeaux is more than just a place to sip Grand Cru Classé at châteaux; it’s also a lovely city that’s been enjoying a makeover in recent years. Many Parisians are relocating to Bordeaux.
The Gothic Cathédrale Saint-André, 18th- and 19th-century houses, and major art museums such as the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux are among the city’s highlights. The river quays are lined with public gardens. The Miroir d’Eau reflecting pool is overlooked by the large Place de la Bourse, which is centered on the Three Graces fountain. Bordeaux is stunning!! There are always fresh sites to visit, and there are plenty of wonderful restaurants, pâtisseries, and cafes to rest your tired feet in. The only issue is determining how much you can squeeze into your Bordeaux stay. That’s why the longer you stay the more time you will have to explore the city. You will never run out of things to do in Bordeaux.
Nice, France
Nice is the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department on the French Riviera. The majestic cathedrals of Nice have a rich history and stunning architecture, making them a must-see during your stay. Many of the churches are in Old Nice, but there are lovely churches across the city. The Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate, built in the 12th century, is one of the city’s most noteworthy structures. Nice was founded by the Greeks and in the nineteenth century it was a popular gateway for many of the European elite.
Nice is surrounded by beautiful beaches. Blue Beach is a year-round private stretch of beach on the Promenade des Anglais. Parasailing, wakeboarding, and waterskiing are among the watersports available. A seafood restaurant and a lounge bar are also located on the beach. Locals enjoy visiting La Réserve, a small, less-known public beach east of town. Bring your bathing shoes because it’s a pebble beach. Who’s ready to study French in Nice?
Lyon, France
This brings us to our last city on the list: Lyon, France. Lyon is the capital of the Rhône département and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in east-central France, located at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. In Lyon, you will find a vast Renaissance old town, Roman ruins, medieval industrial districts, and the regal Presqu’île quarter from the 19th century. The city was formed 2,000 years ago at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers and prospered because of the silk trade. In Vieux Lyon (old Lyon), semi-hidden passages called Traboules connect courtyards with the Saône. The silk industry provided Lyon with stunning Renaissance architecture. If you love history, Lyon is the place for you.
There you have it! Six new cities to add to your list. We have connections with great language schools in all of these cities. Don’t hesitate to DM us!
