Our school in Montpellier (Place de la Comedie)
One of the available locations for our French courses in Montpellier is our Place de la Comédie school. As the name suggests, this language centre is just a stone’s throw from the famous public square of the same name, meaning you’ll find yourself right in the heart of the city if you learn French with us here. This huge pedestrianised area is packed with shops and eateries, while tram links and bus stops provide easy access to other areas of the city and even the coast, which is only 15 km away. Nearby attractions include the Musée Fabre gallery with its impressive collection of Renaissance art, the Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle, the stunning Saint-Clément aqueduct, and the Polygone shopping centre. Further away but very much worth a visit is Château Flaugergues, an historical estate with extensive gardens, an interesting art collection, and its own on-site restaurant.
Our French school on Place de la Comédie boasts 12 classrooms, all with the latest audio-visual equipment. It has a selection of student computers in its resource centre, which is manned every afternoon by a teacher who is on-hand to assist with your extra-curricular studies. There are food and drinks vending machines on-site to keep you refreshed, and 2 student lounges where you can relax between lessons.
Founded in 1998, this school has over 20 years’ experience teaching international students French and is consistently ranked highly by the pupils who attend. It is a well-accredited facility, with a 15* Qualité FLE rating and recognition from both the French Ministry of Education and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is also a member of the Fédération Internationale des Professeurs de Français (FIPF), Campus France, and FLE Group, three organisations which are dedicated to maintaining high educational standards in its member schools. What’s more, its location in the centre of one of the most attractive French cities makes it a highly sought-after facility.
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Montpellier
Do you want to improve your language skills by experiencing one of France’s most interesting and dynamic cities? If so, you should attend one of our French courses in Montpellier! Just off the Mediterranean coast, this city enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine annually, making it an ideal destination at any time of year. Despite being a relatively small city, Montpellier is a cosmopolitan place which blends history and high culture with modern attractions and that classic, laid-back, southern French atmosphere. It’s also home to one of the world’s oldest extant universities, so it has long been known for educational excellence and is therefore the perfect location in which to learn French. With a youthful feel, a vibrant social scene, myriad cultural sites, and a packed calendar of interesting annual events which are suitable for visitors of all ages, you’ll be sure to enjoy your time here.
As a key trading port for centuries, Montpellier has long been a sought-after destination for international travellers. At over 1,000 years old, the city is home to a variety of sites of historical interest including the striking Saint Pierre Cathedral. This 14th-century building is open to the public for free from Monday to Saturday; its ancient entrance towers, beautiful stained-glass windows, and impressive, ornate organ are well worth a look. Right next-door to the cathedral is the city’s ancient School of Medicine, which is thought to have been operational since at least the 12th century and which has been home to such notable students as Nostradamus and François de la Peyronie, surgeon for King Louis XV and founder of France’s National Academy of Medicine. The faculty’s buildings, including its library and the renowned Conservatory of Anatomy, are open for guided tours throughout the year.
The University’s botanical gardens - the oldest of their kind in the country - were once used by the alumni for their medical studies and are now open to the public for free. Here, you can discover a calm oasis peppered with interesting plants from around the world, various follies, and peaceful areas to sit and relax. Another of the city’s great green spaces is the famous Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle, which is less than 5 minutes’ walk from our French language school. Along this wide, tree-lined walkway you’ll find outdoor restaurants offering a variety of worldwide cuisines, open-air markets where you can barter with the locals, and Le Corum, the city’s largest events venue which holds regular music concerts and operatic performances.
Undoubtedly the main focal point of Montpellier is the iconic Place de la Comédie public square. Locally dubbed ‘The Egg’ for its oval shape, this large pedestrianised area offers shops, restaurants, and cafés aplenty - meaning lots of opportunities for language practice! Place de la Comédie is home to the famous Opéra Comédie - the city’s premier cultural venue which gives the square its name - some of the most impressive architecture in Montpellier, and a variety of annual events including May’s Comédie du Livre literary festival, autumn’s wine market, and December’s Christmas fair. It is in this bustling nerve centre that our French language school is located.
Courses in Montpellier (Place de la Comedie)
Available courses
The standard Intensive course offered at our Place de la Comédie school consists of 20 group lessons per week in groups of no more than 10. Classes take place between 10:00 and 13:15 on Mondays and 09:00 - 12:15 Tuesday to Friday. During busy periods, classes may also take place in the afternoon, from 16:15 to 19:30. Groups are organised according to students’ starting ability level, which ensures that no one is left behind and that all receive appropriate tuition. The small class size allows each pupil to benefit from highly personalised attention from the teacher and lots of opportunities for language practice.
For a more rigorous programme, why not select the Super-intensive course and attend 30 group lessons per week? The additional classes take place in the afternoon and cover specialised topics including pronunciation, culture, and conversation. These extra lessons help you to strengthen your language skills and deepen your understanding of France, its culture, and its people. You’ll find that you progress rapidly on this course, however long you study for.
Please note: if you have no previous experience with French, you will need to start your course on a specific date - contact us for available start dates for beginners.
If you think you may need extra support with your studies, or if you want to cover specific French topics, we recommend that you book private tuition. The standard package consists of 20 one-to-one lessons per week, though bespoke packages are available on request. Since you’ll have the undivided attention of the teacher, you’ll receive tuition that’s tailored to your exact requirements and benefit from much more language practice than you would have on a group programme.
Though private lessons are extremely beneficial in terms of progression, they don’t offer the same kind of social experience as group classes. Fortunately, you can combine the best parts of both courses with an Intensive + Private package! This programme adds 4 one-to-one classes per week to your core Intensive course, giving you the extra practice afforded by private lessons but still allowing you to experience the social side of a group course.
For those who want to learn more about the French way of life, this school offers some great language & activity programmes. A popular choice is French & Cookery, which will introduce you to the delights of French gastronomy through 2 3-hour workshops each week. These cookery sessions are offered in conjunction with the core Intensive programme and are available throughout the year. The workshops are taught by a trained chef who will not only teach you how to prepare delicious French recipes but also provide you with the vocabulary needed to find your way around a French kitchen. After each workshop, you can enjoy the meal you’ve just made with your classmates!
Another option is the fantastic French & Culture course, which is available between June and August. This programme combines the standard Intensive programme with 10 afternoon activities and excursions per week, all designed to give you a deeper insight into French history and culture. Both these courses are open to students of all ability levels, including complete beginners. Beginners should note that they will need to begin their programme on a suitable date.
Active students can combine their language tuition with yoga on the French & Yoga package, which is available throughout the year and includes 6 weekly yoga sessions on top of the core Intensive programme. This course is open to students from A1 level upwards, so isn’t suitable for complete beginners.
Teenagers studying French at school will benefit from our school’s preparatory course, which will put them in the best position to pass their tests with flying colours! British and Irish students can select the A Level/Leaving Certificate Preparation package, which consists of 20 core Intensive classes plus 6 mini-group lessons per week covering A Level/Leaving Certificate topics and vocabulary. This course is available throughout the year for students with a starting French ability level of A1 or higher. The programme can also be tailored to German students preparing for the Abitur exam.
If you’re studying French for work or planning to work in a French company, you can learn the appropriate skills on our Business French course. The package includes 6 mini-group lessons on top of the core Intensive programme and is open to students of all ability levels. In these extra sessions, you’ll learn professional and administrative vocabulary, how to read and write business documents, and the specifics of formal communication in French corporate settings. The extra mini-group sessions can also be used to cover topics relating to medicine or tourism.
If you’re training to be a language teacher or are already an established French tutor, our specialised teachers’ course will be perfect for you. This programme is available for 1 or 2 weeks in July and is designed to refresh your language skills in time for the new school year. You’ll also develop your cultural knowledge and classroom techniques through a range of practical tasks. The course consists of 20 core Intensive lessons plus a further 10 mini-group lessons focusing on classroom-specific topics. You must have B1 or higher French ability in order to follow this course.
If you want to give back during your time in France, then select our school’s Volunteering programme and combine a 4-week Intensive course with 3 months’ or more volunteering for the La Croix Rouge, the French branch of the Red Cross Society. Depending on your availability and preferred type of work, you can assist with food distribution, fund-raising, First Aid missions, or administrative tasks. By doing so, you’ll have the satisfaction of seeing your language skills rapidly improve through everyday use in an authentic French environment, not to mention being part of an amazing project! This programme is available to students with A2 - C1 proficiency. Feel free to contact us for more information.
On the first day of lessons, you should arrive at the school at 08:30. You will have already submitted a level test prior to arrival, which is used to assess your starting language ability and place you in a group that’s most suitable for that level. You will have a short oral assessment on arrival to verify the results of this test before having your class placement confirmed. This methodology provides students with the best possible opportunity to improve their language skills, regardless of their starting level.
In the afternoon/evening, you can take part in the school’s activity programme. At the end of your course, you’ll receive a certificate of achievement which can be used to demonstrate the French ability level you have reached during your time at the school.
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 Montpellier (Place de la Comedie)
Accommodation
Available accommodation
Experience the French way of life first-hand and practice your language skills with native speakers by staying with a local homestay host! All hosts live within 20 minutes from the school by public transport and offer private single or twin bedrooms*, as well as access to the home’s communal spaces including the lounge and bathroom. Rooms are offered either on a self-catering basis** - meaning you’ll have access to the kitchen to cook your daily meals (over 18s only) - or with meals included. If you would like to add meals, you can choose between a breakfast-included or a half-board package (half-board is breakfast and dinner each day). Whichever option you select, bed linens and towels will be included and changed weekly. Your host(s) will either do your laundry for you or give you access to the home’s facilities to do this yourself. Most homes have Wi-Fi access but we cannot guarantee this; please let us know prior to booking if this is a requirement for you. You will have your own key to come and go as you please, but you must respect house rules and schedules. If you select homestay accommodation, your host(s) will provide a 2-way transfer service for no extra charge.
**We highly recommend the half-board option, as it is not only cost-effective but also gives you guaranteed social time with your host(s) in the evening, giving you as much language practice as possible. The self-catering option offers much fewer opportunities for extra language practice since you have less guaranteed time with your host(s).
If you prefer more independence, the school’s student residence is a great option. Located just 5 minutes from the school by Metro, the residence has private single and twin studios with en-suite bathrooms and their own kitchenettes, giving you the freedom to cook for yourself during your time in Montpellier. The building also has several communal areas including a study space, a lounge with a television and vending machines, and a token-operated laundry facility. Towels and bed linens are included and changed regularly, and Wi-Fi access is offered for free. This residence has a multi-lingual reception area which is manned by friendly staff at all hours, so they are always able to help; this makes this option particularly ideal for young adults. Other city residences of a similar standard may be used during busy periods. Please note that rooms in this residence do not have air-conditioning. If you would like air-conditioning in your lodging, you should select a studio apartment.
For a slightly higher standard of accommodation, you can book a studio apartment in an aparthotel. These studios have private bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms, and fully equipped kitchenettes, as well as guaranteed added amenities like air-conditioning, Wi-Fi access, and a television. Lodging here is offered on a self-catering basis, so you’ll have the freedom to cook for yourself or sample local eateries as you prefer. Studios are located between 5 and 20 minutes from the school by public transport; students are placed based on availability, so we cannot guarantee any particular location for you. Bed linens and towels are included and changed regularly; laundry is available on-site for an additional fee.
*Twin studios and homestay rooms are only available to students travelling together. If you select a shared room or studio but are travelling alone, you will be swapped to a single room or studio.
Activities
As well as immersive language classes, our school offers a wide range of social and cultural activities, generally in the afternoons and evenings or at weekends. These are designed to be both fun and educational; they’ll also help you get to know your fellow classmates. All activities are conducted in French, allowing you to maintain your language immersion and put your new 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:
- Guided tours of the city
- Visits to local attractions, including galleries and museums
- Group games
- Lectures from guest speakers on a variety of topics
- Meals and/or drinks with your class
- Cookery workshops
- French film screenings
- Half- and/or full-day excursions to local points of interest such as Carcassonne, Nîmes, Saint Guilhem, and Avignon
- Plus seasonal activities available in the area
How to get there
Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport is just a 10-minute drive from the city centre and is accessible from many worldwide locations.
From here, you can take public transport to your accommodation or we can arrange an airport transfer service for you for an additional charge. If you book 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 collected from your lodging on your last day and taken back to the airport in time for your departing flight. If you book homestay lodging, this service is included on arrival and departure free of charge.
Note: some students may need to fly into Carcassonne, which is around an hour and 45 minutes from Montpellier by car.
You should arrange to arrive in Montpellier on the Sunday before your course starts and to depart on the Saturday after your course finishes. We may be able to arrange extra nights on arrival and/or departure for you if needed.
Location of our school in Montpellier (Place de la Comedie)
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4.2 / 5
4.5 / 5
Student reviews & feedback
S. Harley
The course was great, I really learnt a lot - even though I was online.
I. Adriaanse
My course was great. I sat in a class with 10 people and the level of French was perfect to me. I also had the exam preparation, which was difficult but I also learned a lot in a week.
I had such a nice time at my host family. I’m staying in contact with the mother, she took good care of me.
E. Casey
Course was good - learned a lot. Next time, I'll book up for more classes. Only downside was fellow students defaulting to English when stuck I guess.
Accommodation [Student residence] generally was fine but location is adjacent to noisey nightlife area. Friday and Sat nights were difficult to get some sleep.
Very happy overall, enjoyed the cooking classes as well.
P. Bohorquez
Course
Really enjoyed it. Teachers were friendly and helpful.
Accommodation
Clean and conveniently located to the school.
C. Badenoch
Course
I had a incredible experience in Montpellier - the school was extremely well run and the classes were all very interesting. My internship following the course was also extremely interesting and useful and the people which organised this were very helpful when I was in France, although we had some difficulties prior to me going out there.
Accommodation
I was staying with a host family, Sylvie Gallopin, who was lovely. The family had 3 children and I was immediately welcomed into it with open arms. Sylvie was a fabulous cook and evidently loved having students to stay as she always put in the maximum effort to ensure that I was happy and that I was gaining as much as possible from my experience there.
L. Sinclair
Course
I really enjoyed my course and feel I have benefited alot from it.
Accommodation
My accommodation was fine. The room was big enough and had everything i needed.
B. Ellison-Smith
Course
The small classes made for a friendly atmosphere. The visits were well-planned and enjoyable.
Accommodation
A lovely, friendly family, with typically French food.
J. Deans
I had a great time and met a really diverse spectrum of people in lessons whose company I really enjoyed. The learning itself was great too. Really relevant and the teachers were always willing to help and constantly smiling even if you made stupid mistakes. My french is noticeably more confident thanks to this course. I had very simple student accommodation but it had everything I needed and I have no real complaints. In particular, I enjoyed my host and her boyfriend. Great people, very welcoming. I think my improvement in french is just as much down to conversations with her as my lessons. Really beautiful city. Lots to do, night life and otherwise. I think walking around talking to people and socialising is what helped my french most of all.
J. Scott
The course was excellent, at the correct level for me, stimulating, dynamic excellent teachers.
K. Potterell
The lessons very useful and I throughly enjoyed the week. My accommodation was with a lovely family who made me feel very welcome.
M. Porter
The 'A' Level revision course was pitched at correct level.
School statistics
Nationality (%)
Brazil (9.2)
Colombia (4.7)
Germany (8.8)
Ireland (7.7)
Japan (7.2)
Mexico (4.5)
Spain (5.7)
Switzerland (5.7)
United kingdom (10.4)
United states of america (4.7)
Average Student Numbers
Average ages (June - Aug)
Prices for Montpellier (Place de la Comedie)
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Company Number: 08311373
