Sun kissed Nice, with its sparkling seas and Provençal pleasures is more than simply the capital of the Cote D' Azur, it's the fifth largest city in France and contains a wealth of fine architecture and culture. Located on the Mediterranean coast, at the western end of the Riviera, Nice lies between the Alps and Italy's Gulf of Genoa.
The Greeks from Marseilles first established Nice around 300BC. When the Greeks conquered a neighboring tribe, they named their city NICE, after the Greek word 'Nike', meaning victory. Nice boasts a plethora of ruins, museums, boutiques, and a hearty cafe culture. Cafes occupy weathered 17th and 18th century buildings and outdoor markets crowd the old town's streets and Venetian-style squares.
Like most of the Riviera you will find Nice is one of the best places to start a Côte d'Azur adventure. It offers the second largest airport in France and bus excursions to major Riviera destinations. Best of all, it tends to be a bit more affordable than other coastal resort towns. Begin your exploration of "The Maid of Provence" at one of its palaces, Palais Masséna, from which you'll enjoy a magnificent view of the Bay of Angels (Baie des Anges).
Visit vibrant Vieux-Nice, the Old Town, where the native Niçois live. It's also home to lively cafés, galleries, and nightclubs. Bring your camera or paint box and capture the colors of the flower market, Marché aux Fleurs. Lunch on a Niçoise-style pizza, or pissaladiére, or perhaps a fresh salade Niçoise.
Stroll the promenade des Anglais, Nice's grand avenue, lined with palm trees, gardens, shops, and hotels, including the grand Hôtel Negresco, which boasts a mammoth Baccarat chandelier. View superb art at The Fine Arts Museum (Musée des Beaux-Arts) and the Masséna Museum (Musée d'Art et d' Histoire Palais Masséna).
Ponder the remains of Roman baths and a large arena on Cimiez Hill. Henri Matisse lived in Nice during the last years of his life; the Matisse Museum (Musée Matisse) offers an excellent survey of his work. See some of Marc Chagall's most important works at the Chagall Museum (Musée du Message Biblique Marc-Chagall).
By night, enjoy taste-tempting regional specialties, such as ragout Provençale, enhanced with a glass of local wine. Afterward, attend a performance at the elegant Opéra de Nice. Catch a glitzy cabaret show at La Madonette, in the Casino Roule. Or simply take a moonlight stroll along the Mediterranean, and enjoy the breeze, the fragrance of flowers, and
the sounds of crickets.
It is the participant's responsibility to have a valid passport and any necessary visas and permits to study abroad. Visit G3Visas for comprehensive information on visa, passport, permit and general country entry requirements.
Nice Cote D'Azur Airport, is on the Promenade des Anglais, in the west of the town (7 km). The SNCF (French Rail) has over 20 daily links from all the major French cities and 11 regular links from abroad to Nice. The TGV (high-speed train) links Paris and Nice in six and a half hours.
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Cimiez Museum Of Archeology
Museum Of Modern And Contemporary Art
Saint Roman Church
Bellet vineyards
Massena Square
Our school is located on the first floor, in a beautiful building, on a side street just off the Belle epoque, just minutes walk from the finest street in town, the Rue Medicine.
It is a few minutes walk to the famous Notre Dame Cathedral and only ten minutes walk from the Old Town, Promenade and the beach. Close to both the train and bus stations, the school neighborhood offers a nice atmosphere with boutique shops, cafes and bars, ideal for lunch breaks or hanging out in after class.
The school has 6 bright classrooms, modern furniture and a variety of international students, from across Europe and North America. Between classes, the students have access to a large social room, which has several vending machines for coffee, cokes, water and other snacks.
Students also have access to use the internet on four computers, use of the garden and even has a pool table for activities after classes are finished for the day. The school offers a very good social atmosphere and has a very strong cultural program.
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Standard: 4 Lessons daily (20 lessons per week) Max. 12 students per class.
Intensive: 6 Lessons daily (30 lessons per week) Max. 12 students per class.
Our programs cater for all language levels from absolute beginners to the more advanced, include the use of course materials and provide a variety of options to enhance your program. For more information please see Prices and Start Dates.
Each student will be expected to take a short placement test on the first Monday morning of the course (unless a complete beginner), to determine the students language level and ensure placement in the correct class. Lessons are usually held in the mornings, starting at 9 am, which leave the afternoons free for social or cultural activities, trips, workshops, short excursions or free time to relax or explore on your own.
Teachers are native speakers and many are University educated with years of teaching experience. They will help enhance your speaking, listening, grammar and general comprehension skills. They will also use interactive techniques such as role-play, games and perhaps videos to support lesson content. Current political, social and cultural materials are integrated to add interest and increase knowledge of the host country and culture. Homework assignments are given and students will be tested. For more information please see Course Outline.
After classes are over for the day, our program allows you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture, traditions, customs and everyday life. Our optional cultural and social activities allow you to make new friends among your new international classmates, experience cultural and social activities together, and also practice your new language skills in real life situations. In some cases, a small additional fee will be charged to cover local transport and entrance costs.
Activities could include trips to local galleries, museums, Opera House,Theatre of the Palais de Chaillot, a walk along the Promenade des Anglais at night then a night out in Nice with your other class mates, tour the Cathedral, Cimiez Museum Of Archeology, visit the Fine Arts Museum / Matisse Museum or why not spend the afternoon on the beach people watching.
At the weekend many students can arrange to take optional excursions to local cities or local places of interest. These excursions are slightly more expensive than the daily activities ($10-$40), as they are normally full day or full weekend excursions and could include (transport, meals entrance fees and even accommodation). If you are interested in sight-seeing by yourself or with other class mates, our school staff are more than willing to assist you with any questions you may have and help you book local travel or excursions.
Some populare weekend trips include: a train journey to Monte Carlo and Monaco, take the bus to Roquebrune village (famous for its fairy tale castle), a trip to Antibes and Cannes (famous resort towns) or even a weekend in Italy.
NOTES: School is closed on all public holidays, private lessons and options can be added to any program, lessons normally last 50 minutes, you will be studying with students from around the world, lessons run from Monday - Friday , you will be expected to arrive early on the first Monday morning to take the placement test, a language proficiency certificate is available at the end of the program. Please see the program info and resource links, for additional information or please contact us.
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Host Family: (private or shared room) breakfast daily.
Living with a host family is probably the best and most effective way to become fully immersed into the language and culture of your chosen country. All families are chosen after a careful selection procedure and are visited regularly by the school to ensure that high living standards are maintained. As many of our host families live in the surrounding neighborhoods, the trip to school, is usually not more than 15 to 20 minutes away.
Students have access to all living areas in the house and in most cases, will be expected to share the bathroom. All bed linens and pillows will be provided, however we suggest you bring your own towels. If your family does not provide a laundry service, they may allow you to use the laundry facilities for a small additional charge. Staying in a family is a truly wonderful experience and many students make lifetime friends with their host family. However, you should also have realistic expectations and recognize that an element of flexibility is required to adjust to the local customs and way of life. Your host family may not have the same comforts as your own home but you will always be treated as a guest and free to come and go as you wish.
Self Catering Apartments: (private or shared room) no meals. Choose between Basic or Comfort (Apt 2).
This is also a very popular option especially for those students looking for further independence. Our apartments are normally located within the same distance as the host families and are shared (with other international students studying at the school) so will be sharing with many other nationalities. Our apartments are co-ed, however rooms are shared with the same gender.
All apartments provide a well equipped kitchen (including cooking utensils), shared bathroom facilities and living areas. The apartments vary in size and number of bedrooms, depending on the location in the city but expect to share with 2 - 4 other students.
All apartments are self-catering, which means meals are not included and students provide their own groceries and prepare their own meals or eat out. In many cases the cooking becomes a social event in the apartment and a great way to chat and make new friends. Many students have theme nights, where they take turns to prepare a meal from their home country for the rest of the students.
NOTE: The comfort upgrade apartment (apt 2) normally offers greater comfort : a larger apartment, better furnished, perhaps with a balcony, better location, TV, etc.
For the duration of the stay in the apartment, you will be living among other students. You are expected to comply with the 'mutual' house rules. This means that common living areas must be kept clean and tidy at all times. All students have keys to the apartment and can come and go as they wish.
NOTES: Airport transfers may be included or available, also extra nights can be booked before / after course (at an additional cost), please check price page for details. The Sunday night accommodation before your course begins on Monday, is included in the program price. All meals will be local custom and meal times may be different to what you are used to, however you are not obligated to eat all your meals with the family, just notify them when you will not be returning to eat.. Our families are diverse with young couples without children, couples with children (of all age groups) and older couples with grown children who are no longer at home. Please see the Accommodation link for additional information.
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