If you are an adult French learner who wants to study in France, you may be relieved to find you have options beyond just study abroad programs for college students. Traveling to France to learn French in France as an adult to participate in a language program is a little less common, but is completely doable for people who are committed to learning and mastering the language.
About FRENCH COURSES FOR ADULTS IN FRANCE
The options below range from one week to long-term programs, many of which are at international schools. You can expect them to be taught by native speakers, and in most cases the program will have classes at various levels of language proficiencies, including courses for complete beginners.
Most courses will involve speaking, reading, and writing exercises to help you develop good written and verbal communication skills. They tend to place a particular emphasis on you being able to develop your conversational French skills, rather than focusing on your reading or writing proficiency (although the classes should help you there, too).
Some of the most well-established French courses are below (prices listed are as of January 2023).
Tip: When you’re looking at a course, pay attention not only to the published cost of the program, but what that cost includes — any meals? Any day trips? Also, check whether the program offers subsidized housing for students, which will almost certainly be much cheaper than you renting a hotel room or apartment for a few weeks or months in France.
Courses in Paris
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the most popular location for French courses is in Paris. Here are some of the most well-known ones.
Alliance française
Alliance Française in Paris offers a huge variety of classes for all levels of French learners, including classes designed to be entertaining, like learning French through a theater class
Location: Paris, France
Price: Regular 4-week courses are about €540; intensive 4-week courses are about €1,350.
Website: https://www.alliancefr.org/en/
CESA PARIS
The Paris (Les Halles) program organized by CESA (or Communication Experts, a UK company that runs language programs all over the world) is designed for adult students to learn French in very small group classes (with an additional private tutoring option). The program takes place at the Paris Les Halles school in Paris.
Location: Paris, France
Price: Around €510/week
Website: https://cesalanguages.com/learn-french-in-france/learn-french-in-paris-les-halles
LSI PARIS
LSI is another language school located in central Paris with programs for adult learners.
Location: Paris, France
Price: €445/week for 1-3 weeks
Website: https://www.lsi.edu/en/schools/france/learn-french-in-paris
courses outside Paris
Completing a program in a city other than Paris, especially if the city does not have a strong tourist presence, can offer you a deeper look into French culture.
ILA
Courses for adults at ILA (Institut Linguistique Adenet), located on the Grand Rue Jean Moulin in historic Montpellier, are small (2-8 students) and range from 1 to 20+ weeks.
Location: Montpellier, France
Price: €210/week for 1-3 weeks
Website: https://www.ila-france.com/french-courses/standard-french-course-adults
Centre International d’Antibes
The CIA program in Antibes offers a huge range of classes for adults, from traditional courses to those including “fun” themes, like meditation or dessert tasting. It also provides optional accommodations (for an additional cost) in on-site studio apartments. Courses include a set number of lessons per week, where each lesson is 45 minutes long.
Location: Antibes, France
Price: The standard, 20 lessons per week course ranges in price from €269/week for a 1-week course to €195/week for 5 or more weeks
Website: https://www.cia-france.com
Finding other courses
If you have a particular interest, especially if it’s artistic (like music, theater, or dance), try searching for a French program + your interest. You would be surprised by the options you find. If you’re a senior, there are also seniors-only classes in France. We highly recommend studying in France at least once in your life!
