7 ways to immerse yourself in France
Andrew Zimmern said “Please be a traveller, not a tourist. Try new things, meet new people, and look beyond what’s right in front of you. Those are the keys to understanding this amazing world we live in.”
This post is particularly for you, the seasoned traveller. Are you looking for a new way to experience France? Here are some ideas to whet your appetite and start you dreaming of your next trip.
1. Language course
There are so many options available to immerse yourself in the French language and gradually build your confidence. There are opportunities to learn the language in major cities and even in the French countryside. You will find something to suit your needs. The courses vary in length and intensity. There are colleges and even home stays.
Improving your French language skills offers you the opportunity to engage with locals
2. Food or wine course
Food and wine courses range from just a few hours up to a complete residential school that could last for weeks. Imagine dazzling your family and friends with the special recipes you master or your wine-ordering prowess. The obvious places to take a wine course are in the wine regions; such as, Burgundy and Bordeaux. Whereas, there are numerous opportunities to cook food in all of the regions of France.
Learning new cooking skills and recipes to bring home like delicious recipes learnt with Nikki
3. Residential creativity course/workshop
Can you imagine staying in the French countryside and indulging your creative passion or just testing out a new interest. Surrounded by nature, good food and company. It’s a great option for a very different type of holiday. You can bring home a souvenir that you have created. Perhaps photography is your interest. Capturing the spectacular scenery of France, learning new skills and enjoying the company of other photographers. You will come home with amazing images to decorate your home. Have you considered writing your memoir or a thriller set in the French Alps?
Do you dream of writing a book? A writing retreat in France might be the perfect place for you to begin your writing journey or complete your manuscript.
4. Active or sporting
You can enjoy a week of cycling through the lavender fields and perched villages of Provence, meandering past the castles of the Loire or testing your climbing skills in the French mountains. Perhaps you would prefer something even slower with a walking tour in the Pyrenees or Dordogne. Even if you don’t want to participate in the activity itself, it’s worth reviewing sporting events like the Monaco Grand Prix, Paris Roubaix cycling and many other choices.
Testing your cycling skills and enjoying the camaraderie with like-minded people on a cycling tour
5. Cultural experience
You can learn more about the history of France, how to play pétanque/boules or even make your own unique perfume. You might prefer to indulge in the luxury of staying in a chateau in the countryside or perhaps exploring the neighbourhoods of Paris is more your style.
Explore French history with a knowledgeable guide on a small group tour
6. Working holiday
For something very different, what about a way to test your handy skills? You can find opportunities to help with the restoration work on a château without the expense of purchasing one! Or perhaps working on a farm would interest you more.
Learning new skills as you help restore a château
7. Live like a local
Did you know that you can stay in Europe for 90 days on your holiday Visa? Why not take a long-term rental or two? You can immerse yourself in local life. Arriving regularly at the boulangerie, bar or markets and you will be recognised. It’s an opportunity to build your language skills, familiarity with the area and perhaps you will even engage the services of a local French speaker to give you French lessons. Some of us dream of buying a property in France. Taking the opportunity to stay in one, two or three places for a minimum of 2 weeks provides you with an opportunity to get to know the local area before you take the plunge for a large investment.
Imagine if this pretty village was your home for a month
Even if you can only spare a few hours, you will benefit from incorporating an authentic experience into your holiday. You will come back with wonderful memories, new skills and even some new friends. The French word for memories is souvenirs.
Travel Tip: when you are travelling alone or as a couple, consider booking a small group tour rather than a private tour. It’s usually more fun to share the experience with others and an opportunity to make new friends.
There are so many possibilities available and here are some links to get you started with your research.
Note: All websites where valid at time of publication of this post. Be aware that some workshops and courses may only be conducted in French so I do suggest that you read the fine print.
Language
https://www.langueonze.com/-learn-french-.html?lang=en A college in the beautiful city of Toulouse offering a range of French language levels. They offer some courses combining language with a cooking or wine course.
https://www.frenchtoday.com/french-immersions/ - choose a homestay with your French teacher. A number of locations throughout France are available.
https://www.coeurdefrance.com/ - situated in Sancerre, a medieval hilltop village in the Cher department, overlooking the Loire River.
https://www.lapont.com/forthcoming-tours/ small group tour to Burgundy combining French language immersion and a full cultural experience too.
https://www.live-and-learn-en-provence.com/ - if you prefer the idea of staying in Provence
Finding the confidence to speak french at the local markets will improve your experience
Food
https://www.cordonbleu.edu/paris/home/en the world famous cooking school has many options and you can start from as little as 2.5 hours up to a Diploma.
https://chaletsavoiefaire.com You can escape to the French Alps with the wonderful Nikki, one of my previous guests. Nikki and Hugh will welcome you to their chalet where you can have fun with a one day or multi-day cooking class and accommodation. Read more here and see photos below.
https://www.legargantua.com This course is near Bordeaux in southwest France. Courses available range from one afternoon to 5 days in length.
https://cuisineelegantefr.com/services1 One day cooking classes and market tours in Paris
https://www.activegourmetholidays.com/france-cooking-school-vacations-gourmet-tours-provence Ranging from 1 day market tours to 9 nights Best of France option.
https://parisbymouth.com/food-wine-tours/ This company specialises in small group tours focused on specific neighbourhoods of Paris.
Wine
https://www.vinecole.com/wine-courses/ Starting with something serious, for wine enthusiasts or people working in the industry.
https://www.cordonbleu.edu/paris/wine-and-spirit-intensive-class/en An intensive 2–3 week course held in Paris.
https://www.bourgogne-wines.com/l-ecole-des-vins/learn-about-wine-improve-your-knowledge,2324,9560.html Located in the heart of Burgundy to learn more about wines.
https://www.ecoleduvindebordeaux.com Or head south to Bordeaux to attend a wine school.
https://www.frenchwineadventures.com Perhaps a wine tour is more suited to you. Choose from one day tours to multi-days tours. There are even optional walking wine tours. You will find a link on this page for a wine school.
Enjoy the beautiful vineyards of Burgundy
Art
https://frenchfusion.com.au Kate Stedman specialises in Travel Sketching holidays, not just in France.
https://annettemorris.art – Annette Morris is a painting teacher based in southwestern France. She offers from one day picnics through to 11 day workshops.
https://artelierprovence.com/workshops/ Jean-Louis is a French-Australian artist offering 1 day or 4 days/5 night workshops in Provence. Drawing and painting in the village and forest of Jouques.
https://painting-in-france.com/painters/ Simon and Monica offer 1 week painting holidays and a range of half or full day workshops. See some of Simon’s work here that he generously gifted to me.
https://workshopsinfrance.com/workshops/ A number of art retreats in various locations in France.
https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/tours/work-of-van-gogh-the-later-years-in-southern-france/itinerary/ If you don’t want to paint but love art, here is a tour inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s journey in France
Writing
https://www.writingxwriters.org/montblanc Immerse yourself for 1-2 weeks in Chamonix in the French Alps.
https://www.writeaways.com/writeaway-in-france-squared A writing retreat of 15 days in the Loire valley.
https://www.pariscafewriting.com/workshops-2/ Writing creative nonfiction in Paris.
https://lifestories.com.au/paris-workshop/ Are you thinking of writing your memoir? Why not do it in Paris?
Patricia Sands, one of my previous guests, wrote some of her novels during home exchanges in Antibes and Arles. Now she organises small group tours to the south of France where they visit the locations in her books.
Photography
https://www.studiolavalette.com/ This studio is located in the Charente area on the west coast. They offer a full program including accommodation, food, excursions in the local area to take photos and then time in the studio for editing your work.
https://www.rainastinsonphotography.com A 6-day tour of Provence photographing lavender fields and villages with Raina.
Chris participating in a fashion photography workshop in Paris (top photo too)
Cycling
https://bikestyletours.com An Australian company owned and operated by one of my previous guests, Adam Gill. Offering cycling tours for major cycling events. Read more here
https://veloroo.com/cycling-holidays-in-france/ Some more Aussies offering cycling opportunities with a base in France.
https://tourdevines.com.au/cycling-tours/cycling-tours-europe/cycling-tours-france/ This company offer a great range of cycle touring options throughout France.
https://www.rivieracycling.com Paul, a bilingual guide with local knowledge of the best cycling on the Cote d’Azur, offers day tours.
https://www.gascognebikehire.com/guidedcyclingtours Maybe cycling in the quiet countryside of Gascony is more your style.
Consider a sporting tour. Participate or just cheer for your idols.
Other outdoor activities
https://www.pyreneestours.com.au This company specialises in fully guided walking and food tours in France. You will be immersed in local traditions and history while enjoying the delicious food and hospitality.
www.paddleventure.com/kayaking-canoeing-france/#Multi-day_canoe_trips_in_France For those that prefer a quieter tour option, you might enjoy a paddle down one of the many rivers in France.
http://www.sailingschoolbrittany.com The exhilaration of learning to sail in Brittany.
https://www.chailly.com/en/golf-academy.html What about learning golf at this academy in Burgundy?
https://www.domainedecoyolles.com/flyfishing Perhaps you would like to try fly fishing.
Experience the joy of sailing in France
History
https://battlefields.com.au/ A way to immerse yourself in WW1 or WW2 history in France with one of these tours.
https://www.sophiesgreatwartours.com/ A family run tour specialist for WW1 and WW2 battlefields tours.
https://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/tours/france/itinerary/ Explore France through the ages on this 15 day tour.
https://www.exclusive-france-tours.com/private-tours/glimpse-of-culture/historical-heritage/ Tours for French history and architecture in various locations
Discover the diverse history of France
Working
https://wwoof.fr/en/ WWOOF is a worldwide initiative to link visitors with organic farmers. They have been around for years. Visitors can learn about organic agriculture, while immersing themselves in local culture Work a few hours a day in exchange for room and board.
https://www.workaway.info/ This is a website promoting a community for cultural exchange, working holidays and volunteering.
https://chateaugudanes.com/volunteer An Australian family who are restoring a 15th century Château de Gudanes, located in the south of France. Check out their website for opportunities to assist or stay.
Make friends with the locals by helping out at their home
Lewis Carroll said - “IN THE END… We only regret the chances we didn’t take, the relationships we were afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long to make.”
I look forward to sharing more French experiences next time and I would love you to share this post with a friend. Merci beaucoup et à bientôt!
