A region in the heart of France where the climate is mild and the countryside beautiful and where Leonardo da Vinci, Rabelais, Ronsard, Balzac and Bergson once lived. Located on the banks of the longest river in France, Tours is in the heart of the fertile vineyards of the Loire Valley.
Filled with hundreds of chateaux and vineyards, remnants of the valley's golden age under Francois I during the 15th century, the Loire is a fine destination for history enthusiasts and wine lovers alike. Renowned worldwide for its magnificent châteaux inhabited by French royalty during the 15th and 16th centuries, this region is an ideal place to study.
This city of 250,000 people has a lively cultural scene, several museums and a stunning medieval quarter-place, Plumereau that boasts quaint, inexpensive hotels, pedestrian streets, open-air cafes and eclectic boutiques. Tours boasts a friendly environment, with a dynamism which attracts a university population of almost 30 000.
In addition to fine art and history museums, Tours offers, in the spirit of the Loire, the Muse des Vins, dedicated to the history, mythology and production of that delightful elixir. The city makes an excellent base from which to tour the region's châteaux, especially by public transport. Trains from Tours run along the river in both directions, and regular bus services radiate from here.
South of Tours, the chateau at Chenonceaux may be the finest of the region's castles. Built in 1520, the building was home to Diane de Poitiers, mistress to Henry II, until his death in 1559, when his widow Catherine de Madici had de Poitiers evicted.
Today, visitors can wander through Catherine's gardens, rent a rowboat to drift along the river Cher or, in summer, kick back and watch the nightly son-et-lumiere (sound and light) extravaganza on the Chateau grounds. There are magnificent 13th-century cathedrals in Chartres and Tours, as well as abbeys and mansions and charming riverside towns and villages.
Other nearby places of outstanding interest include Orléans, famous for its associations with Jeanne d'Arc, with a beautiful cathedral, the Musée des Beaux Arts and 16th-century Hôtel de Ville; and Bourges, a 15th-century town, complete with old houses, museums and the Cathedral of St Etienne.
The charming little town of Loches, southeast of Tours, has a fine château and an interesting walled medieval quarter. It was in the heartland of the Touraine where the true cuisine of France developed (Touraine was given the name 'the garden of France'). If these delightful towns are not quite enough, Paris is only one hour away by train!
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.
Most students fly into Paris and then catch the TGV high-speed train to Tours, this trip takes 1 hour from Paris or 1 hour 45 minutes from Charles de Gaulle airport. Tours (Tours -Val de Loire) has a small airport and the TGV railway station is 7 minutes from the airport.
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Châteauxs of the Loire Valley
Medieval fortresses
Fontevraud Abbey (Henry Plantagenet II and Richard the Lion-Heart are buried)
Homes of Ronsard, Balzac and Leonardo da Vinci
Famous wines of Vouvray, Montlouis, Bourgeuil and Chinon
Charming riverside towns
Paris 1 hour away
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The school was founded in 1985, and is located in the heart of the old town, with its quaint pedestrian streets, surrounded by many restaurants and terrace cafés.
Located on the street corners of "rue des Bons Enfants" and "rue du Panier Fleuri" the school building occupies a magnificently renovated 18th century building (it even has a 15th century cellar) and offers a warm, charming, multicultural atmosphere.
From your classroom window you can admire the "Charlemagne Tower"; one of the town's oldest monuments. The school has spacious and comfortable classrooms (some are air-conditioned), reception area and a beautiful roof top garden which also acts as a social meeting place for the students between breaks and after classes.
The school has computers and seven individual language laboratories. Students have free access to the internet. The reception area also has drinks and snacks available and use of a public phone. Tea and coffee are offered free of charge during the morning breaks.
The school has a excellent library, which includes newspapers, magazines, press files, novels, reference books, books in basic French, self-correcting grammar and vocabulary tests. The library also has available:
- Audiocassettes to improve pronunciation and oral comprehension, and for DELF exam preparation.
- Videocassettes (documentaries on French society, celebrities, cities and towns).
- CD-ROMs and software for research.
- A video and DVD library which has about 600 French and international films. Students are welcome to use any of the above facilities throughout the week, until closing time at 6.30 PM.
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Standard program: 5 Lessons daily (20 hours per week) Max. 7 students per class.
Actual class time: 20 lessons per week and 5 lesson of cultural activities.
Combined program: 5 Lessons daily (20 hours per week) same as Standard program PLUS 3 hours of private tuition per week.
Semester program: similar to the Standard program including 3 lessons of DELF/DALF preparation work and 2 lessons of cultural activities.
Our programs cater for all language levels (lessons duration 45 minutes) from absolute beginners to the more advanced, include the use of course materials and provide a variety of options to enhance your program. 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. All our courses are taught by qualified teachers, who specialize in teaching French as a foreign language.
Teachers use a communicative approach with some grammar instruction provided whenever necessary. The textbooks used are listed below and can be borrowed from the school for the duration of the course. They may also be purchased from a nearby bookstore.
To supplement these books, teachers issue photocopied literature and make use of audio and video recordings. Television documentaries, film extracts songs, press articles, and various recordings may also be used to complement the lessons. The text books series used (depending upon level of language skill): Accord (levels I, II) Cadences (levels I, II), Panorama (levels I, II,III&IV). Grammaire progressive du français and Grammaire point par point: niveau intermédiaire and L'Exercisier. Café Crème 4.
Each student will receive a progress report from his or her main teacher. This report states the materials and study aids used the areas covered and the level attained by the student. It also includes personal recommendations for further study. Students also receive a student discount card enabling them to benefit from various reductions in numerous museums, cinemas and bookshops.
The school organizes a number of cultural activities, which could include a trip to a local concert, theatre or ballet, art exhibitions or city tour. Every week the school also arranges an optional excursion (for a additional charge), some examples include:
A half day tour of the chateaux of the Loire Valley, local wine cellars, homes of famous writers (approx. $25, including transport and entrance fees).
A half day canoeing trip on the river Loire (approx. $15 ).
An evening of fine dining in a local small restaurant with a prestigious chef (Approx. $45 ).
Wine course, including wine-tasting over a period of 3 afternoons (approx. $65).
Cooking course and French gastronomy includes visits to a boulangerie and a cheese merchant and informal lessons in French family cuisine (approx. $25-prices vary), includes dinner in the home of a local family.
We also encourage students to enjoy their independence and perhaps rent cars or bicycles at the weekend to visit the local châteaux at their own pace, even visiting the seaside or skiing in the mountains. The school also has a bulletin board for the students to propose different activities and visits that they will organize themselves. Other activities might include visits to concerts, theatre, ballet or art exhibitions.
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.
NOTES: School is closed on all public holidays, private lessons and options can be added to any program, lessons normally last 45 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 room) 2 meals 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 30 minutes away. Your host-family will meet you at Tours train station at no extra charge.
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.
NOTES: Airport transfers to the accommodation may be included or available (at an additional cost, please check price page), the Sunday night accommodation before your course begins on Monday, is included. 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 at home. 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. Extra nights are available at extra cost. Please see the Accommodation link for additional information.
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"Tours is a perfect place to learn French. It is know for having the "purest" french accent and the city is large enough to provide many learning opportunities for visitors, but not so large that everyone speaks English to you all the time. I had a great time!"
Christopher Glenn (27) US student
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