Learn French in Biarritz, Europe’s surfing capital where surfing conditions are good all year round, and the long sandy beaches are ideal for beginners.
Our school in Biarritz
Our French language school in Biarritz is located on the edge of the city centre, just 5 minutes’ walk from the seafront. The immediate area is packed with shops, boutiques, and eateries which you can explore after your lessons. Popular sites within walking distance of the language centre include the Asiatica Museum, with its interesting collection of Asian art, the impressive 12th-century Eglise Saint-Martin, the Gare du Midi theatre, and the Pierre Forsans public park. Surfers will find the best spots at the Côte des Basques and Grand beaches, which are both just 10 - 20 minutes away from the school.
When you learn French with us, you’ll have lessons in bright, modern business space just off the seafront. The facility is newly renovated and exceptionally well-decorated; it is shared by several local businesses, meaning you’ll be able to interact with native French speakers while at the school. There are 2 classrooms for language students, meaning you’ll be able to get to know your fellow students quickly and benefit from the friendly, personal attention of the teachers. The building also has a communal kitchen where you can prepare drinks and snacks between meals. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the facility, and there is a shower you have access to if you wish to go surfing. There is a bus stop at the end of the street, so you can easily explore the city and the surrounding areas after class.
This language centre is part of a group of schools established over 40 years ago, so it benefits from a wealth of shared experience in teaching international students French. It is a highly certified facility, with Label Qualité FLE accreditation from the French Ministries of Education and Culture. As a member of global quality-control organisations including Campus France and the International Association of Language Centres (IALC), this school offers a high standard of tuition that can be catered to students of all ability levels. As well as these credentials, the facility’s location in a gorgeous seaside resort full of amenities makes it an excellent place for an immersive French experience.
Photos
Biarritz
Biarritz is a lovely spa resort on the south-western French coast with a reputation for opulence. During the 19th century it was the favourite destination of some of Europe’s most influential people, from royalty and the aristocracy to cinema stars and artists. Today, Biarritz is Europe’s surfing capital; visitors come from around the world to enjoy its excellent beaches and lively waves. This longstanding popularity and legacy of luxury has shaped the city into an exciting and cosmopolitan place noted for its myriad shops and boutiques, its superb eateries, and its vibrant nightlife. Close to the Pyrenees and the quaint border towns and villages in the area, it’s also a great base for nature lovers who want to get out into the countryside during their stay. Whether you come for the sea, the sun, the shops, or the scenery, one thing’s for sure: you’re guaranteed to have an incredible experience when you learn French in Biarritz with us.
Once a small fishing village, Biarritz was ‘put on the map’ during the spa-town boom of the late 18th century. Doctors across Europe recommended visiting the area for its revitalising sea air, its clement weather, and its gorgeous natural surroundings. Over the next century, Biarritz became the hub of high-status people including Napoleon III and his wife Empress Eugenie, Queen Victoria, Tsar Nicholas II, and King Alfonso XIII of Spain, to name but a few. It wasn’t just royalty who fell in love with it; noted author Victor Hugo said of the town: I have not met in the world any place more pleasant and perfect than Biarritz. I have never seen the old Neptune throwing joy and glory with such a force in the old Cybele. All this coast is full of humming. Gascony’s sea grinds, scratches, and stretches on the reefs its never-ending whisper. Friendly population and white cheerful houses, large dunes, fine sand, great caves, and proud sea - Biarritz is amazing.
Hotels and casinos were built on the seafront, gardens were planted, and roads and railings placed to give the town some structure, and Biarritz soon developed into a bustling coastal city. During the 1950s, the sea brought a new set of visitors. Surfing scenes for the hit film The Sun Also Rises were filmed in Biarritz’s waters, giving rise to a stream of Californian tourists desperate to test out the waves. It didn’t take long for word of the excellent surfing conditions here to spread, and the city soon became the undisputed surfing hotspot of Europe - a title it holds to this day. With regular water sports events and competitions to watch or take part in, Biarritz is the go-to destination for sports fans.
This is not just a place for surfers, however. Offering lush green countryside and beautiful views for miles, Biarritz is a lovely spot for a walking holiday. Mostly pedestrianised, the city centre is compact and easy to explore on foot, while its cheap and efficient public transport system allows you to travel further afield and put your language skills into practice with the locals. Meanwhile, the mix of French and Basque influences in this region creates an interesting and diverse atmosphere and gives Biarritz its own unique flair. However you choose to spend your time here, an immersive experience here will give you a deeper insight into the culture and history of France and help you to significantly develop your French ability. After all, there is no better way to learn a language than by living it!
Courses in Biarritz
Available courses
The core Intensive course at our French school in Biarritz is composed of 20 lessons per week in groups of no more than 12. This small class size allows you to get lots of language practice and receive personalised attention from the teacher, helping you to improve regardless of where you start from. Classes take place between 09:00 and 12:15 Monday to Friday. Before you travel you will submit a written level test which is used to place you in a group with other students of the same starting ability level. This methodology allows all students to progress quickly and naturally.
For a more rigorous language experience, you can select one of the school’s Super-intensive courses. Consisting of 26 or 30 weekly group lessons, these packages give you extra language practice and thus even more opportunity to develop your French skills. Your additional lessons are scheduled around your core timetable and focus on each of the key areas of language learning: speaking, listening, reading, writing, and grammar. Advanced students can also cover cultural and historical topics in their extra sessions. The Super-intensive 26 course is available for academic year programmes.
All group courses also include 2 extra optional workshops per week; these are provided online and cover additional thematic materials or offer opportunities for 1:1 contact with your teacher. You will have access to the online platform for up to 12 weeks after your programme has finished.
If you have no previous experience learning French, you must start your course on a suitable date - please contact us for available start dates for beginners.
If you’re an active person, you can combine your French lessons with Golf or Surfing. The programmes add 5 weekly sessions of your chosen sport to a package of 16 weekly group language classes. These exciting courses are available throughout the year and are open to all students, so even if you have no experience in your chosen sport you can still take part! Sports lessons are given in French by qualified local providers, giving you extra language practice and exposure. Beginners should take care to begin their French lessons on an appropriate date. Equipment is included in the cost of the programme. Rugby, yoga, and pelota are also available to combine with your language classes; please get in touch for further details about these sessions.
If your focus for your immersive course is maximising your development, you should select private tuition. Offering uninterrupted interaction with the teacher and the ability to tailor your lesson content to your exact needs, you’ll find that you make unparalleled improvements with this type of course. It’s especially ideal for those who have a limited time to study, those who feel they need extra support, or those who want to cover specialist topics. As standard, you can book 16 or 20 one-to-one lessons per week, though bespoke packages are available on request. Semi-private tuition is available for two students with the same starting ability travelling together.
Though private classes are extremely beneficial when it comes to language development, they don’t offer the social experience of a group course. Luckily, we have a solution: combine the best parts of both programmes with an Intensive + Private package! You can add 6 or 10 one-to-one classes per week to your core course, giving you the educational benefits of private lessons whilst still allowing you to experience the social nature of group classes. Those selecting the Combined 30 package can use their private lessons to cover Business French or to prepare for a DELF/DALF exam if they prefer.
NOTE: This school uses the Microsoft Teams platform to supplement classroom tuition; you should bring a laptop/tablet with you to access the lesson materials
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Contact us today to see if we can arrange a bespoke package for you!
Special courses in Biarritz
Accommodation
Available accommodation
For a fully immersive language experience, we recommend staying with a local homestay host. All hosts are native French speakers, so you’ll have the chance to practice your French skills throughout your stay, not just in class. When you select this option, you’ll have a private single or twin* bedroom and access to the home’s communal spaces. As standard you’ll share the bathroom with your host(s) and any other students in the home, though some hosts can offer private bathroom access for an additional fee.
Rooms are offered on a breakfast-included or half-board basis (breakfast and dinner); we highly recommend the half-board package as it is not only cost-effective but also gives you guaranteed social time with your host(s) in the evening. A supplement is applied if a special diet is required (i.e. vegan, dairy-free, halal, etc.). Hosts live up to 35 minutes from the school by public transport; if you prefer to be closer, you can reserve lodging within 20 minutes of the school for an added fee. All hosts provide bed linens and towels, which are changed regularly; your host(s) will either do your laundry for you or let you use the home’s facilities once a week. Most hosts offer Wi-Fi access, but you should advise us at the time of booking if this a requirement for you. You will have your own key to come and go as you please, though you must respect house rules and schedules.
Please note that under-18s must book homestay lodging.
For more independence, you can select a studio apartment. These apartments are suitable for 1 or 2 people* and include a private bathroom, a fully equipped kitchenette (fridge, microwave, and hob), and a living area. The apartments are located around the central area of Biarritz and are generally within walking distance of the school. Studios are offered on a self-catering basis, allowing you to cook for yourself or sample local restaurants as you prefer. Bed linens are included and changed regularly; you should bring your own towels. All studios have Wi-Fi access.
*Twin rooms are only available to students travelling together. If you select a shared room but are travelling alone, you will be swapped to a single room.
Activities
To complement your language tuition, our school offers a wide range of social and cultural activities in the afternoons, evenings, or at weekends. These activities are designed to give you an insight into life in Biarritz and to help you get to know your classmates. All activities are all held in French, so you’ll be able to maintain your immersion and put your new language skills into practice in real-life scenarios.
Many activities are available free of charge, though some may incur an additional fee to cover entrance and/or transportation costs. The exact schedule changes throughout the year but may include:
- Walking tours around Biarritz
- Trips to the beach
- Yoga classes
- Group games and/or parties#
- Food- and wine-tasting workshops
- Sports like rafting or petanque
- Thalassotherapy sessions
- Trips to the theatre or the cinema
- Half- and full-day excursions to local points of interest including Saint-Jean de Luz, Bayonne, and Espelette
- Plus seasonal activities available in the city
How to get there
Biarritz is served by Biarritz Pays Basque Airport. This international airport is located just 10 minutes from the city by car and is accessible from many worldwide locations.
From here, you can either make your own way to your lodging or we can arrange an airport transfer service for you. If you select this service, a driver will be waiting for you when you land and will take you directly to your accommodation. If you select this service on departure as well, you will be taken back to the airport in time for your departing flight. A transfer service is also available at Biarritz train station.
If you are struggling to find a flight directly into Biarritz, we can arrange transfer services to and from the airports or train stations in San Sebastian, Bilbao, and Bordeaux.
You should arrange to arrive in Biarritz on the Sunday before your course starts and to depart on the Saturday after it finishes. We may be able to arrange extra nights on arrival and/or departure for you if needed.
Location of our school in Biarritz
4.2 / 5
4.1 / 5
4.4 / 5
Student reviews & feedback
Intensive 20
Excellent staff, made you feel welcome and helped with increasing your confidence in conversation without feeling embarrassed.
- A. Dowson
Intensive 20 + Surfing with Host Family
Learned more in one week Biarritz than a year at school in NL.
Very friendly and welcoming accommodation, great food and relaxed atmosphere.
Will return next summer
- Y. Hardjodikromo
Intensive 20 with Host Family
Course was very good, my teacher Ingrid was fantastic. Accomodation was ok
- E. Brennan
Intensive 20 with Host Family
Very nice and friendly teacher, good number of people in class, funny games and useful exercises
I stayed with a very friendly woman, nice room, maybe a bit too far from the city center
I really enjoyed my stay!
- F. Kislinger
Intensive 20 + DELF Exam Prep with Host Family
Extremely useful and interesting course, balanced between grammar and conversation. Extremely nice host family, reallly good house, excellent atmosphere and nice food.
- L. Tresoldi
A very professional, warm teacher with a great sense of humour who got the group interacting very well. Also a very helpful, friendly staff. An open, welcoming host lady with the most obedient dog I have ever met...not a single bark!! Thanks very much Apple Languages and hope to use your services again.
- M. West
I did the A level revision course which I found very comprehensive, thought the afternoon classes were very good but found with them the day was too long and very tiring. I was very happy with my host family. They were extremely welcoming and Sandrine was an excellent cook. She catered for all our preferences and had a very laid back manner which I liked.
- G. Murphy
Super Intensive 26 with Host Family
I was very pleased with the French course. Excellent teachers, well run, good structure and commendable ethos.
I was very happy with the accommodation in a lovely Basque style house with my own bedroom and bathroom. The food was good, the owners were helpful and likeable and spoke to me in French which helped to reinforce what I was learning. It was a good half hour's walk to the college and town centre but I was lent a bicycle/given lifts and I enjoyed the walk too.
Although I was assessed before and on arrival, my first day was too advanced for me. The college was quick to respond and my correct level was established promptly and effectively.
- P. Connolly
I thought that the course I participated in was very successful. I feel that my French has improved and I liked the way that the classes were streamed into individual abilites.
I stayed with Madame Schweitzer who was a lovely lady and made us feel extremely welcome.
- S. Neary
There was a really nice atmosphere in the school which made me feel really welcome. The surfing course was realy fun and learning in french made in even better. Even though I was only there for two weeks I feel I learned alot.
The accommodation was really nice. The family were so nice to me and made me feel really welcome to the country and were there to help with aything I needed.
- B. Roche
A very effective and interesting way to learn french. Host family, food and accomodation in general couldn't have been better, they were some of the nicest people ive ever met. Its a great laugh to meet all the people from all over the world.
- M. o'Loughlin
The course was well organised, i was unhappy at first with the level of French i was learning but this was soon rectified as i was mooved to a higher level. The family couldnt have been nicer, the house was lovely.
- J. Pope
Excellent teaching, very organised and relevent. Always interesting. Good mix of oral, aural and written. Victoria Surf was excellent. Basic accomodation but clean, great location, great security. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole course, French classes in the morning were great and the surfing in the afternoon was equally enjoyable.
- M. O'Dwyer
The course was at exactly the right level - not too easy, but not so difficult that I felt frustrated. Tutors were willing to answer questions at any level, and would often chat over coffee at break times etc. My host family were very helpful and very patient with my mistakes.
- S. Smith
The whole course was really great and i learnt a lot during my six weeks stay. Everything was very well organised and all the staff were always obliging, kind and friendly. I couldn't have asked for a better host family! Violette did so much for us during the six weeks. She was so kind and was also a really good chef!
- A. McEvoy
- V. Sacarello
Very good course. Accommodation was very good, they were friendly and the house was near the school.
- A. Soria
Excellent teachers, good book, overall a great experience.
- E. Holmgren
From my point of view the attended courses were great. Friendly and helpfully teachers were able to teach me/us a lot of things.The room our courses took place was satisfactory. The lessons weren`t boring at all.
Biarritz is a wonderful town were you can improve your surf and swim skills. It is a very touristic city, but all in all it is very pretty!
- A. Francesca Steins
Intensive 20 with Host Family
I had learnt French sometime back but decided to refresh it. The course has allowed my to start speaking and understanding what others say. The host family was excellent, made you feel at home. Madame Anne is a superb personality and very easy to communicate with. I really appreciate her efforts to make you feel comfortable. Million of thanks!
- F. Taliaeva
Intensive 26 with Host Family
Great school in a convenient location, friendly atmosphere. Great host really friendly and helpful.
- A. White
My teacher was excellent, her lessons were very interesting. The host family was very kind and very welcoming. I had a really good time and a nice room.
- S. Hählen
I thought that the content of the course was brilliant. My tutor varied the work everyday but there was always an emphasis put on grammar which was exactly what I needed. I was a bit lost at the start but I could really see a massive improvement in myself by the end. It was great that there were so many different nationalities in my small class as it gave me no chance to slack off and speak English very often. Everyone in the house made an effort to help me progress my French and had an honest interest in my life back home. I really enjoyed my time with my host.
- A. Quinn
As a student very bad at french the course really helped me on the basics. My host family were very nice and helpful, the food was always fresh and amazing.
- F. Doherty
I enjoyed the course and felt I learned a lot.
- A. Hughes
The teacher was really nice and I met so many lovely students from all over the world and many have become good friends now. My host mother was lovely and really helpful. She gave us really yummy food. Her house was very comfortable.
- H. Wilson
Enjoyable classes, good numbers and interesting. The golf lessons were teriffic. My host family was very nice.
- J. O' Driscoll
The course was very helpful and I learnt a lot. The teachers were really nice and enthusiastic, which made the lessons interesting. The accommodation was the best part for me. My host family were the loveliest couple I have ever met and I felt so welcome in their home. I am still in contact with them and I really hope to visit them again.
- E. Bracey
Wonderful teachers and a great atmosphere. Thoroughly enjoyable. My room was clean and the appartment was very close to the school. I have just had the best time in Biarritz. I met so many great people teachers and students alike. The surf school had a great vibe to it and the waves were sweet everyday. I cannot wait until next year... and I'll stay for a month next time...maybe two!
- E. Campbell
The school has very friendly and good teachers, there's a good atmosphere in the classes and a good mix of grammar and dialogues.
- C. Harendt
Great teaching delivered by motivated staff and a superb range of activities organised. The family was very welcoming and the meals provided were top class.
- S. Loney
The course was very enjoyable. There was a good balance of work and play/surfing.
- W. Hebditch
The lessons were very good. The school offered extra activities at reduced rates, and it was a very interesting and varied programme. The levelling of students and classes was excellent and movement between groups was possible. Lesson contents and activities in my classes were excellent, varied and suited to my level. I thouroughly enjoyed going to school there for 3 weeks and I learned a lot! My host was very maternal and looked after me very well. She cooked for me, did my washing and was always more than willing to help. She is well educated and genuinely interested in people, so that we never ran out of conversation. She speaks no foreign languages, so i had to speak french to her, which was very good practice. Going to school in Biarritz and practising my french with the host family is the ultimate way to improve one's language skills. It's better than a year's worth of evening classes at home and the progress and results are fantastic! I'd recommend this to anyone, old and young, if you're serious about learning, it's excellent value for money!
- J. Helm
I have gained a lot from the course. My host family were very nice and pleasant people to stay with.
- S. Wilson
I found the school had a good standard of teaching and the lessons were useful. My host had a very nice house and she helped me with my french and encouraged me to talk. The food was very nice aswell. The food was very nice aswell.
- C. Gill
I think the course was great. The accomadation was lovely, open and very friendly. It was also close to the beach where I surfed which was great, and within walking distance from shops and the major 'hangout' venues. I felt very relaxed, and only wish i had been more fluent at french so that i could have shown my appreciation better.
- D. Hutton
It was overall very enjoyable.
- E. Cronin
My teachers were fantastic! My host family were great, so accommodating and friendly.
- V. Patel
It was really helpful. The teacher was excellent, and not speaking any English was really good as it meant general understanding and vocabulary was broadened. My host was very nice. Also, the fact that she didn't speak English was helpful as we had to communicate in French.
- K. Levett
The teachers and staff were helpful and friendly, and my French improved substantially during my two week stay. The surfing course was well organized, the instructors were excellent, and I can't wait to go back! My host family was very nice and the accommodation was great.
- M. Prokator
The course was good. I stayed with a lovely family, lovely appartment, lovely food, couldn't have been better.
- R. Blunt
It was really useful as it covered grammar but more usefully, everyday, conversational and colloquial French. My teacher was young so she was like one of us and the fact we could relate to her made us want to pay attention. The host family were lovely and the daughter showed me everywhere on the first night, and they were very understanding and patient. They also helped lots with my french by teaching me things and correcting me. They were just really nice people. It was so much better than I expected. I didn't want to come home - and I mean that. You meet people from all over the world and you become so close. I was so comfortable there I could have stayed forever.
- H. King
The course was very good. There were many different levels and the teachers were very good. Nice accomodation in a host family. The combination of learning a language and learning to surf is a very interesting and good formula!
- L. Loots
The course was amazing, and the teachers were great, I loved the fact that you couldn’t speak any english in class, and must speak french, it really improved my confidence and overall speaking skills. I met loads of new people and had great fun with the surfing course also im most certainly coming back again as it was one of the best things I have ever done or experienced, thank you Apple Languages.
- P. Kegel
I learned a lot of french, the teachers were fantastic and I found that the smaller classes helped a lot.
- B. Fitzpatrick
The course was very helpful and the accommodation was in a really good family, nice bedroom and good food.
- G. Brown
It was fantastic, I enjoyed every minute of it and there was nothing about the course, the staff or my accommodation that i could fault.
The town was lovely, the students were really friendly and the French lessons were very good and also very fun. The surfing lessons were amazing and the surf instructors were so nice and became our friends who we went out with in the evenings. The house was lovely, clean and very beautiful. My room was large with a double bed and a desk, I also had my own Internet connection. The family were really kind and helpful and very fun people. They gave me everything I needed.
- A. Moss
The course was fun, and I managed to brush up on all my french. The teaching techniques were very effective and the teacher was very nice! The family were unbelievably welcoming and kind. The house was very sweet and we had an added bonus of having our own rooms! I can't wait to return!
- A. Walpole
It was a thoroughly enjoyable fortnight and I would have no hesitation in recommending the Biarritz school. I had two different teachers during my stay, both were excellent and encouraged a relaxed but challenging atmosphere within the classroom.
- R. James
The course was one-on-one and tailored exactly to my needs and existing (low) standard. I was particularly impressed with the willingness of staff to accommodate my timetable desires. My host was very friendly, room and bed large and the food was excellent.
- P. Dawe
School statistics
Nationality (%)
American (3)
Brasilian (3)
British (4)
German (11)
Irish (4)
Italian (4)
Russian (3)
Spanish (16)
Swedish (3)
Swiss (21)
Student stories on our blog
Biarritz: why you should learn French by the sea!
Are you considering learning French in a seaside location? Then look no further than Biarritz! The sea is a gorgeous aquamarine colour, and it's also one of Europe's most popular surf spots. Indeed, if you're a surfer or you're interested in learning how to surf, you can do so at the French school in Biarritz.
Did you know Biarritz was where surfing as we know it all started, in 1856? It's an ideal location for surfers throughout the year, including beginners, and this is not surprising when you see how big the waves are. They are definitely the biggest I have ever seen in the south of France. I absolutely adore Biarritz, and have been going back there every year since childhood as I'm lucky enough to have family there!
Read more...Prices for Biarritz
Choose your course below to view our prices in pounds sterling (GBP), US dollars (USD) or euros (EUR).
United Kingdom
Ireland
Italy
Netherlands
Spain
United States
International
Company Number: 08311373
