Learn French in Tours

Why should I study French in Tours?

Although only an hour from Paris, accommodation prices in Tours are roughly half of what you could expect to pay in the capital city, making Tours a cost-effective location for a language course of any duration! For those who do wish to spend time in Paris, it is possible to get there in an hour by direct train, making regular visits from Tours very possible. That being said, Tours is a beautiful city in its own right so you might decide to stay local instead of making the trip to the nearby capital!

So what is it about the largest city in the Loire Valley that attracts French students (around 30,000 of them!) and international students of all ages alike? Tours is an historical city - in Gallic times it was an important crossing place over the Loire River. Naturally, this geographical plus point made it attractive to the Romans, and Tours, or Caesarodunum as it was known then, became part of the Roman Empire during the 1st century AD. Tours was once home to one of the largest structures in the Roman Empire - the Caesarodunum amphitheater. Unfortunately, it isn’t possible to view this monument today as it fell into ruin in the middle ages, and the land was eventually built on, concealing the ancient edifice. In fact, it wasn’t rediscovered until 1855! Thankfully many of Tours historic landmarks have survived, and although comparatively new, it is possible to see and experience Chateau de Tours (built in the 11th century), Tours Cathedral (work started in the 12th century), and the half-timbered houses of Place Plumereau (great examples of 15th-century architecture). The school itself occupies a beautiful 19th-century mansion, and as it was established more than 100 years ago, you’ll be enjoying a piece of living history every day!

Place Plumereau is the beating heart of the historic centre and the shops, restaurants and bars that inhabit the visually interesting buildings breathe life into the square and the surrounding streets and alleys. In the evening the area twinkles under lantern light, and many a meal or night out is enjoyed here. Our school is just a five-minute walk away, and as much of the area is pedestrianised, a stroll to and around Le Vieux Tours is a great way to unwind after classes and enjoy using your newly improved French language skills. Touraine is famous for having the most classic form of French, free from strong regional influences, so many students find it easy to engage in conversation, whatever their language level!

If you prefer to explore further afield, renting a bike is a great way to see the local area. The Touraine region is home to around 150km of the 800km Loire à Vélo cycle trail, and as the route stays close to the river, the rides are always pleasant and easy-going. Many of the Loire Valley’s wine chateaux can be reached on two wheels, or if you’d rather take the less energetic option, speak with our colleagues at the school about any upcoming guided tours.

After you’ve enjoyed the beauty of a wine chateau you might find yourself wanting to sample some of the local offerings as part of an oenological or gastronomic tour. The school often arranges wine tasting and cooking workshops to help students learn more about Tours’ considerable gastronomic heritage, but it’s also very easy to gather your own local ingredients to enjoy at leisure! A visit to Les Halles de Tours, the city’s indoor market, will provide the perfect opportunity to do all your shopping under one roof, with local suppliers selling all the freshly-baked bread, creamy cheese, and delicious meats you’ll need to make the charcuterie board of your dreams! Don’t forget to pick up a bottle or two of local wine to complement your haul - the knowledgeable stall holders will be happy to help you make the best selection.

Our school in Tours

Learn French at our school in Tours, and you’ll be studying right in the heart of this elegant city. Founded in 1912, our school has taught more than 250,000 international students so they are definitely experts in the field of teaching French as a foreign language! This was further validated in 2007, when they were awarded the Label qualité FLE. Today the school occupies three impressive historical buildings and welcomes around 2,000 students annually. The school buildings comprise 30 classrooms, all of which have interactive whiteboards. There are also six language laboratories where students can participate in phonetics sessions; a media library that enables students to support their learning with resources such as French songs, movies or documentaries and other FLE tools; a multimedia laboratory where teachers can use audio, video, and internet to support their lessons; and 30 computers that students are free to use at their leisure. The school is wheelchair accessible and offers complimentary Wi-Fi internet access throughout.

Situated just a few minutes from the medieval district and the city’s main shopping street, you will have countless cafes, shops, restaurants and bars right at your fingertips. It is also the perfect base to explore the city’s key attractions on foot, such as the Natural History Museum and the Musée des Beaux-Arts.

The school team is made up of 20 permanent teaching staff, all of whom are native French speakers, and an administration department that encompasses the student life service (ready to help students during their stay) and the studies department, which organises course and examination schedules, issues certificates, and helps support students with exam registration.

Location of our school in Tours

What accommodation is available in Tours?

To maximise your progress during your time in Tours, why not stay with one of our carefully selected host families? Our school works with a network of more than 150 friendly hosts and host families who are ready to welcome you and help you with your French language learning journey. This type of accommodation includes half-board during the week and full board at the weekend, giving you the opportunity to enjoy delicious meals with your homestay members. Meal times are also the perfect chance to put your language skills into practise in a welcoming and authentic environment! Most host families live between 5-30 minutes walking distance of the school, making travel to and from classes very convenient. Bed linen and towels are provided and changed regularly, and your host will also be happy to do some laundry for you once a week. You will have Wi-Fi internet access in your accommodation.

If you would like your own private bathroom, opt for a host family plus. Please be advised that some dietary requirements incur an additional charge.

If you would prefer a different type of accommodation please contact us. Our school has links with local residences that can offer more independent accommodation for those who prefer their own space with self-catering facilities.

Available activities in Tours

Our school in Tours organise an extensive activity programme for students, allowing you to socialise with your classmates, explore Tours and its surroundings and sample local culture. Activities include guided visits of Tours’ medieval district, cooking workshops, visits to some of the city’s main attractions such as the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Saint Gatien cathedral, as well as excursions to nearby points of interest, including Blois, Chaumont and Amboise!

How to get to our school in Tours

To get to Tours, you can fly to Tours Airport, and take an airport shuttle to the city centre. There is also a tram nearby, which will take you directly to the city centre, where the school is located! Alternatively, we can arrange private airport transfers which will take you directly to your accommodation. Please note that the transfer service is not included in the price of the programme and will incur an additional fee.

Student stories on our blog

A tour in Tours

Located in the central region of France, Tours is a well preserved jewel of French History. The "City of art and history” was the capital of the French Kingdom in the 15th and 16th century. Tours is crossed by the Loire River, a place that has been sparking numerous artists’ inspirations throughout the times. Tours is also famous for its “art de vivre” (art of living) thanks to the architecture of its many magnificent monuments, its mild climate (important for wine production), as well as its world-renowned gastronomy. Read more...