September - Wine Month in Bordeaux

Bordeaux - September is a special month for wine producers in Bordeaux as the grape picking starts across the world famous vineyards. The school in Bordeaux is offering exciting and original activities throughout September.


To check them out, visit:
http://www.experiencelanguage.co.uk/french/winemonth.jsp

September - Surf Month in Biarritz

Biarritz - It was in 1957 that, Peter Viertel, an American film producer introduced surfing in Europe. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the birth of surfing in Europe, the school is offering a fantastic programme of activities throughout September.

To see the whole programme, visit: http://www.experiencelanguage.co.uk/french/surfmonth.jsp

Stop for a Nap in Lyon

If you commute to work everyday, you may find this idea very interesting. A new company based in Lyon is offering people the possibility to have a sleep after lunch in a very zen atmosphere. Rooms have been designed with the aim of helping people to relax and sleep for 30 minutes. At the end of their sleep, people are offered a cup of tea and a sandwich or a soup. If they want, they can stay for an extra half an hour and have a luminotherapy treatment.

More information about this new service

Courses in Lyon

First Name or Monsieur?

On a language holiday in France, should you call your French host family by their first name or should you call them Monsieur or Madame?

Whilst it is common in the UK to use first names for almost everyone, it is not in France. In fact, it can be seen as rude to address someone using their first name if they haven't invited you to do so. Notre conseil: always use Monsieur or Madame when you are not sure.

More on forms of address

The Green Streets of Paris

The Green Streets of Paris

Velib', le vélo en liberté ! From 15th July 2007, Parisians and tourists will be able to hop on a bike at one location in Paris and drop it off at another. Mais comment ça marche? Well, it's easy and cheap. All you need is a pass, you can get a one day pass for 1 Eur, a 7 day pass for 5 Eur and a one year pass for 29 Eur. Your pass entitles you to free 30 minutes journeys. For longer journeys, you will be charged a little extra, eg. 1 Eur for an extra 30 minutes.

By the end of the year, Paris will have a total of 1451 Velib' parking stations and 20 600 bikes.

More information on velib' and safety cycling tips

Courses in Paris

Bank Holidays and Language Schools

When I was younger and lived in France, I used to love the month of May: great weather and lots of bank holidays, ie. days off. Quelle paresseuse!

Unfortunately bank holidays are not so great when it comes to language courses. Why pay for five days of lessons when you only get four days? Well, while most language schools do not refund nor reschedule missed lessons (except for private lessons), it is worth knowing that some do. Eh oui!

• Aix en Provence - Missed lessons are rescheduled to another day in the week.
• Montpellier - Missed lessons are usually rescheduled to another day in the week.
• Paris - Missed lessons are refunded.

Here is a list of 2007 French Bank Holidays.

NB: While the 28th May is no longer an official Bank Holiday in France, most language schools will be closed on that day