Our programme specially designed for students over 50 who wish to improve their French while exploring the culture, gastronomy and landscapes of the Basque country.
Biarritz is a prestigious and elegant seaside resort on the French Atlantic coast. Long sandy beaches, sumptuous buildings and villas in eclectic architectural styles, Biarritz has kept its charm over the years.
The town is rich in culture and history with a combination of French, Basque and Spanish lifestyles, evident in its mix of cuisine, architecture and local customs.
It is also a major surfing destination with some of the best surfing spots of Europe and a sought after golf destination (see here).
In the afternoon and at the weekend, you will have the opportunity to discover the best of the Basque country: Saint Jean de Luz, Arnaga house, cooking lessons, San Sebastian and much more.
Two sessions a year:
18/03/2021 to 29/03/2021
21/05/2021 to 02/06/2021
2 weeks
2 week programme without accommodation: €1,050
Incl. half board host family: €1,570
Incl. full board host family: €1,635
Administrative fees: €80
Accommodation registration fees: €80
Our partner school in Biarritz has more than 15 years of experience and is accredited by the French Ministry of Education. The teachers are all native speakers and are FLE university graduates (diploma of French teaching as a Foreign Language) and have significant teaching experience in France and abroad. Some of them have additional training in other sectors (foreign languages, communication, etc…).
You will study in a beautiful area not far from the city center which is easily accessible on foot (10 minutes) or with the free shuttle. The school offers a family atmosphere with a maximum capacity of 84 international students.
This programme is specifically designed for people over 50 yrs.
Morning lessons are focus on teaching general French. You will improve all your language skills. It covers communication, expression, listening activities, essay planning, grammar and vocabulary, in a group of 12 students maximum (8 on average). A french manual is provided.
Classes take place Monday to Friday, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm (included a break of 15 minutes). You will attend 20 lessons per week.
On the first day, you will take a written and oral French test to assess your language level and assign you to a class. In the afternoon, a guided tour of the town will introduce you to places of interest for the best experience.
The programme includes afternoon activities and one full-day excursion on the weekend.
Afternoon activities are accompanied by an official school member
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MORNING From 9:30 am to 12:30 pm |
AFTERNOON From 1:30 pm |
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WEEK 1 |
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MONDAY |
8:30 Level test and presentation of the programme 9:30 Start of the french lessons |
Guided tour of Biarritz and visit to the Museum de la Mer |
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TUESDAY |
French lessons |
Guided tour of the city of Saint Jean de Luz |
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WEDNESDAY |
French lessons |
Mountain hiking |
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THURSDAY |
French lessons |
Visit Arnaga house and its beautiful gardens and view the city of Saint Jean Pied de Port, step of the Way of Santiago de Compostella |
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FRIDAY |
French lessons |
Guided tour of the city of Hondarribia, first basque town after the Spanish Border |
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SATURDAY |
Visit to San Sebastian, Spain (after a brief stop at the top of Jaizkibel), free afternoon to get to know the city and its most varied tapas bar, immersion in culinary and Basque culture |
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SUNDAY |
FREE DAY |
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WEEK 2 |
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MONDAY |
French lessons |
Visit the caves and the small town of Sare |
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TUESDAY |
French lessons |
French cooking class |
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WEDNESDAY |
French lessons |
Ascent to La Rhune by train, optional descent, on foot or by train |
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THURSDAY |
French lessons |
Guided tour of the city of Bayonne |
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FRIDAY |
French lessons |
Visit to the Museum of the Cité de l’Océan and farewell appetizer |
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SATURDAY |
DEPARTURE |
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Our partner school offers accommodation in a host family.
We advise you to stay with a local host family. Through living with a family, you will experience a full immersion in the country’s lifestyle and improve your french.
Our local host families are vetted and chosen rigorously by our language school partner. Most of them have been hosting for years. The location of their homes is an average 20 minutes on foot from the school.
You have the choice between full or half board.
Accommodation is from the Sunday prior to the course start date until the Saturday after the end of the course (you can book extra-night).
You can choose this programme without accommodation.
Tips for your trip from Ireland :
Our prices do not include transport from Ireland. Once you have received your confirmation of your stay, you will be able to purchase your ticket and provide us with your travel information.
Direct flights from Dublin to Biarritz airport
Direct TGV trains from Paris ” Montparnasse ” train station.
Transfers :
If you stay in a host family, arrival and departure transfers are included to / from :
• Biarritz airport
• Biarritz train station
