French Immersion Homestay At Camille's In Paimpol - Bretagne

My French immersion homestay with Camille was exactly what I needed. Emma and I spent a week in Paimpol enjoying the harbor, market day, coastal drives, Breton specialties, and lively conversation with Camille and her friends—while I finally unlocked my spoken French.

I’ve studied French on and off for years (high school, graduate school, Alliance Française, private lessons) and, more recently, built strong listening skills with French Today—but I hadn’t really spoken for almost 50 years. In our first lesson, Camille zeroed in on what was holding me back: I tended to “speak like I write”—head down, searching for perfect words. Her fix was concrete and kind: look up, make eye contact, smile, and speak more spontaneously. After just two lessons, I felt the shift.

Lessons were only part of the immersion. Throughout the day—at the market, over meals, and during drives—I kept speaking; Camille jotted down useful words and expressions and texted them each evening, often with links to relevant French Today posts. Review was easy, and learning stayed continuous.

Equally valuable were the real-world conversations. Camille arranged three-hour outings with Zoé, Annick, and Amandine—each offering new topics, different rhythms, and sustained practice. She also introduced me to her friends: two convivial dinners with Jean-Loup and breakfast-and-lunch conversations with Jean-Marc. Those encounters—varied voices, new settings—confirmed that I can now converse with many different speakers, not just my teacher.

Camille gave me a simple routine to “activate” my passive French using short French Today audio articles: listen once and explain in my own words; listen again in segments to add detail; read the transcript aloud with expression; then explain again. We tried it together, and later I presented an article on the Académie Française—clear proof the method works and a roadmap I can keep using at home.

Emma wasn’t studying, yet she loved the week. Camille included her warmly outside lesson time—market visits, cafés, scenic walks, relaxed dinners in English and French—and even invited her into the kitchen to cook one of Emma’s Filipino specialties. She felt welcomed, never sidelined, and had plenty of time to read or watch a show while I had my lessons.

As others mentioned, Camille’s dog Vinky is a joy—gentle, friendly, and an easy companion on coastal walks. He’s a small Havanese bichon (hypoallergenic, doesn’t shed, and barks very little), so even people like us who aren’t “dog people” enjoy his company so much.

Our private suite (bedroom; bath with tub and separate shower; separate toilet; and a small office where I could study) made everything comfortable and quiet. For serious progress in French—and a memorable Brittany experience for a non-studying partner—this is ideal.

My name is Amos. I live in Shanghai, where I work as a Communications Director in fashion. I frequently travel to Paris and have a French partner, so French has always been a part of my life in some way.

French Immersion came to me as an unexpected gift. My boss had originally booked the program but couldn’t make it at the last minute, so she asked me to fly all the way from China to take her place.

I must admit, I never imagined the program would be so enriching, inspiring, and yet so relaxing at the same time.

I’ve always considered my French to be “passive.” Over the years, I’ve taken French courses in colleges across the U.S., London, and Paris, and thanks to my French partner and frequent trips to France, I can understand about probably 80% of daily conversations. But speaking? That’s another story. I’m someone who cannot accept my mistakes, so I’ve never trusted myself to speak French, until now.

Soon after arriving at Camille’s charming home, she immediately pinpointed my biggest hurdle: confidence. Through her warm and encouraging approach, she created a carefree environment where I felt comfortable speaking—not just with her, but also with her brilliant partner Jean Loup and their wonderfully diverse circle of friends. And let’s not forget Vinky, their adorable “panda-like” Bichon, who quickly became a dear companion.

Camille’s teaching style worked perfectly for me. She helped me rediscover those small yet crucial words and phrases that had been missing from my vocabulary, allowing me to communicate more smoothly. Gradually, I grew more confident, answering questions, asking my own, and even initiating conversations.

What truly impressed me was that Camille didn’t just focus on teaching me during my stay; she equipped me with a personalized self-study method to ensure I could keep improving my French with her French audiobooks even after returning to my life in Shanghai.

Beyond the language lessons, living with Camille was an absolute pleasure. Her cooking? Absolutely divine. Every meal was a masterpiece, simple yet bursting with flavor, made with the freshest ingredients and presented beautifully (yes, Instagram-worthy indeed!). As someone who loves food, I was in heaven. Now, thinking about going back to Shanghai, I’m sure I will find myself craving those dishes and even feeling inspired to cook healthier meals myself!

My private living space, complete with a bedroom, a study, a spacious bathroom and a toilet room, was cozy and comfortable, offering both privacy and homely warmth. The weather was perfect, and I especially loved our afternoon walks along the coast, quick dips in the sea, and the picnics. The guided excursions to nearby towns and local festivals were eye-opening, deepening my appreciation for the region’s rich history. Anne and Zoé, my guides, were incredibly knowledgeable about the culture and traditions. And of course, I had the best galette and crêpe of my life, unforgettable!

As I write this on the train back to Paris, I realize this experience was more than just a language immersion. It was a journey of personal growth, life reset, cultural discovery, and most importantly, the beginning of lasting friendships.

Over the summer I was lucky enough to be able to experience the French Immersion trip with Camille! I truly enjoyed each day I spent there. I learned so much that week and it truly was one of the best trips I’ve ever taken.

Camille took very good care of us and made sure we were all comfortable 100% of the time. As a family of four it’s hard to sometimes have privacy while traveling but here we were each able to have a lot of privacy. My cousin and I each had our own rooms and my grandparents shared one room. The beds were very comfortable and the rooms/house is lovely. She has a wonderful dog named Vinky who is just the sweetest. He didn’t cause one problem and was very friendly. We became fast friends. The meal times were also very good. Each meal that was home cooked by Camille was super delicious and filling.

During the day Camille would set us up with tours of the beautiful Paimpol and I also learned a lot that way. The French lessons were also very informative. As a 16 year old learning French in high scool I am very much a beginner in French I was a bit nervous going in, as my companions were both much better at French than I was but Camille was able to teach all three of us wonderfully. She was very patient, kind, and helpful. I never once felt judged for my French Level and I learned so much.

Not only did I come home with better French and resources to continue bettering my French, I also left with lots of amazing memories, shared experiences, and a trip I will remember for a lifetime!

It was a trip of a lifetime for me!

The accommodations were top notch: such elegant home decor with comfortable, private bedrooms for each of us. We loved the food so much we can’t wait to try to do them ourselves.

But, of course, Camille was our “rock star!” Her warmth, joie-de-vivre and ingenuity made each day so very special! In addition to our lessons we were treated to many surprises: tours of local sites, meet-ups with Camille’s family and friends, unique community events, and gourmet snacks and meals.

We are leaving with a heightened ability to understand French and the culture of Brittany, personal attention to our learning needs and a plan for further development. Wow, what a delight!

My family and I had a great time at the immersion stay with My French Friend! The three of us each had very private rooms that we were able to rest in. Camille has a truly lovely house and treated us to great meals.

We each learned a lot from our lessons, which were highly personalized, and very beneficial even though we all had very different abilities in French coming into our week stay.

The excursions that she sent us on, and the connections that she had in the Paimpol and Brittany community are unmatched. It was a great opportunity to practice French outside of the lesson times, and we were truly able to learn so much about the region and visit some of the great sites it has to offer.

I would definitely recommend this experience and learning method to anyone wanting to better their French!

I have just returned from an immersion week with Camille in Paimpol, and it was truly a five-star experience on every level. Previously, I tried traditional language schools, but I found the focus was mainly on grammar rather than speaking. Having been a fan of À Moi Paris and Camille’s newsletters for over a year, I decided to take a leap of faith and try a full immersion week. I do not regret it for a moment.

My main goal for the immersion was to speak as much French as possible, without the structure of daily formal lessons. Camille tailored my stay perfectly to suit my wishes. One of my passions, apart from learning French, is landscape photography https://www.instagram.com/paulbyrnephotography/

Camille arranged for me to spend an afternoon with a local professional landscape photographer. We visited several picturesque locations in Paimpol, and I had the chance to chat with him for more than four hours about all things photographic. Not only did I expand my technical vocabulary, but I also gained the confidence to discuss photography in French. Camille also introduced me to another photographer who runs a gallery in Paimpol—yet another chance to share our common interest, entirely in French.

My passion for photography was further indulged when Camille arranged an afternoon with Olivier, the other half of the À Moi Paris team. Olivier developed the À Moi Paris app, which I have used almost daily for the past year. It was fascinating to talk with him about the app’s development. He also took me to some stunning locations where I captured beautiful images. We topped off the afternoon with a delicious lunch of crêpes and local cider at a well-known crêperie.

The weather was beautiful, so I was able to swim several times with Camille and her charming partner, Jean-Loup. On the sunniest days, we enjoyed picnic lunches and dinners on the beach. Over the week, I had many enjoyable and meaningful conversations with Jean-Loup.

Other highlights included an afternoon with Ana, a local tour guide, who introduced me to several historical sites in the area. I also spent time with some of Camille’s friends, which exposed me to a wide variety of spoken French and different accents.

Camille’s hospitality was outstanding. I had my own private wing in her beautifully decorated home, filled with artistic touches. Every meal was homemade with fresh, local produce. If Camille ever decided to open a restaurant, I’m convinced it would be an instant success. Her home truly felt like a home away from home.

Camille also has a delightful little dog called Vinky. I’m not usually a dog person, but I fell completely in love with Vinky—without doubt the most charming and well-behaved dog I’ve ever met!

This immersion felt more like a holiday than a French course. Yet despite the relaxed atmosphere, I spoke more French during my week with Camille than I had in the previous two years. On average, I spoke French for about eight hours each day.

I wholeheartedly recommend an immersion with Camille if you want to make dramatic progress in your French while enjoying a five-star experience. I was so pleased with my stay that I have already booked another immersion with Camille next year—this time in Tenerife—where I look forward to spending more time with Jean-Loup and, of course, Vinky.

If you are reading this you are probably considering an immersion week chez Camille. I just got back from my week in Paimpol and my advice would be to book it ASAP. As a career French teacher who has lived, studied, worked, and traveled extensively in France and the francophone world, I am positive that nobody does immersion better than Camille Chevalier. You will have no regrets and you will gain so very much!

My goals were different than many of Camille’s usual students in that I didn’t need any formal languange lessons or grammar. I had been feeling pretty rusty and what I really needed was to SPEAK French non-stop for a week to re-activate my dormant repertoire and start to recover my French personality and confidence. From lack of use in recent years my French was suffering from some serious self-conciousness. It barely took 5 minutes for Camille to understand what she was dealing with, and from the very first afternoon she implemented a plan get me speaking as much as possible to as many different people as possible. I met and conversed with actors, sailors, doctors, volunteers, tour guides, runners, vendors, and of course, my teacher Camille and her lovely companion Jean-Loup. Their combined encouragement, openness, and kindness made for an easygoing and non-pressured week. The whole experience was incredibly valuable to me from a language standpoint. I spoke and heard a LOT of French, and each evening I benefited from Camille’s written summary of my vocabulary of the day and short assignments designed to solidify any new acquisitions.

Camille’s home and the town of Paimpol were ideal for an immersion week. Paimpol is a charming port town with great food and shopping, a bustling Tuesday market, and the most gorgeous coastal path that stretches for miles- a runner’s paradise! Camille’s house is only two blocks from the water and a walk to town for shopping, ice cream, market, and Bastille Day fireworks over the port. Paimpol is surrounded by adorable towns that I had the chance to discover with Camille and Jean-Loup as well as on special excursions specifically planned for me to practice my French with multiple people. Seeing that I love to stay active, Camille arranged an afternoon of hiking with a local young woman who knew every trail in the region and was also an excellent conversationalist. I enjoyed an afternoon with a friendly local licensed tour guide who was able to share multiple key sites in the area and tons of Breton history. I had never been to Brittany before so this was perfect.

My bedroom chez Camille was private and comfortable and had everything I needed. Being there felt like a true vacation, especially because Camille is a terrific cook who is careful to choose only the best ingredients. I finished everything she put in front of me and took seconds. Every meal was my ideal meal accompanied by wonderful conversation. What a treat to just be taken care of for a week!

On our last day we took the ferry over to Brehat for a picnic and afternoon of swimming and exploring on foot (no cars allowed). The scenery was out of a movie! Such a special place!

A word about Vinky, who might actually be the best dog in the world. If you love dogs, Vinky’s your man. If you don’t love dogs, he’s a non-issue. But it would be hard not to love this dog and his presence was most definitely additive during my stay in terms of cuddles and vocabulary. Camille has worked hard to train him and he just goes with the flow. The cutest!

My week in Paimpol was exactly what I needed it to be. It was, as expected, excellent for my French. Perhaps more significantly, though, it was a gentle and much-needed reminder that communication has very little to do with perfection and everything to do with opening up and letting go to help others see you and hear your message. Camille was born to teach and has found a very special way to share her expertise with language learners. Organized, detail oriented, encouraging, lively, and open, Camille wears her heart on her sleeve and seeks to provide an incredible all around experience for her students. I’m already pouring over my calendar to find a time to go back.

Each day of my immersion program was a welcome surprise and experience. Camille thinks of every detail and adapts the program to your needs and interests and goals. She plans each day for you with careful thought and organization. Camille is an excellent teacher with an unmatched joie de vivre. She is intelligent, warm, thoughtful, organized (a perfectionist) and generous. My apartment was private and very comfortable. It included a bathtub and shower—both with plenty of hot water and pressure. There was a separate toilet room and an ample bedroom with everything one could need. Camille is a master at making one feel at home.

Her teaching is superb. She is intuitive about how best to teach you and help you improve your French learning. I came a long way in my week —really without stress.

I benefited greatly from time spent with guides who spoke in French with me. The culture and history of the area is rich. Also, I appreciated the cuisine of Camille—simple, fresh and delicious! And not to forget Vinky—her very sweet bichon havannais—who does not bother you unless you want. I loved taking him for walks along the sea paths.

I plan to return next year because the experience was beneficial for me on many levels. I enjoyed every day and made excellent progress on my French. Merci pour tout Camille!

It’s been a quite while since I first met Camille in Boston.  As I’m spending my first year of retirement traveling throughout France and as I’ve long wanted to explore Brittany, I was delighted when Camille generously invited me to stay with her for a week in Paimpol.  It gave us the happy opportunity to renew our friendship and for me to enjoy the astounding beauty of the coast and countryside.  And although I speak French fairly well, Camille  really helped me gain more confidence in my ability including by introducing me to a number of her wonderful friends who also took the time to visit with me and share their knowledge of the area.

I’m so grateful for Camille’s hospitality and the warmth and comfort of her home – I not only had my own bathroom and a bedroom with a super comfortable bed but, effectively, a whole separate “wing” of her house!  I can’t quite believe how quickly the week passed.  Brittany is gorgeous with a rich history, great cuisine, friendly locals, and lots to do and see.

One thing is sure, I will be back to visit Camille again soon !

Firstly, the practical aspects: Camille’s home is very comfortable and quiet. I had my own very private space—bedroom, bathroom, toilet, etc.

Paimpol is charming, and the surrounding countryside is wonderfully dramatic. I ate well, both at home and in restaurants.

I came here by car from St Malo, about 80 miles away, and it was an easy journey. Provided you have a good car, keep to the speed limits—particularly in the villages—and beware of speed traps! My car was certainly comfortable for the trip.

Camille herself is very charming, friendly, and lively. She had devised a program for the week tailored just for me, taking into consideration, my hobbies which I had shared in an email she had previously sent.

She quickly understood my level of knowledge, my confidence, and what I was seeking to achieve.

She is very expert in constructing a full week of activity, while also making the necessary space for rest. Learning in such a concentrated way demands a lot of mental effort—especially at my age (I am 88 years old!).

Why was I there? To learn—not to be taught. There is a difference. Camille was not a schoolmistress, but a helpful friend. I wasn’t there to prepare for an exam or to give a good impression. She allowed me to make mistakes without discomfort. It is through mistakes that we learn.

Above all, I enjoyed myself—that’s also why I was there. My week’s program brought me into contact with Camille’s friends, both individually and in groups. I heard different accents and different ways of speaking. I didn’t expect every day to be an improvement on the last—I just relaxed and let things come naturally.

Our conversations covered as many subjects as I was happy to explore. Camille and I discussed our experiences of life, our relationships with others, our fears and hopes. Even religion and politics found their way into the conversation.

I would also encourage anyone to buy French Today audiobooks. They are not expensive and enable you to maintain a good connection with the French language – and Camille’s voice and encouraging energy – once you return home.

What did I gain from my week? Improved French, certainly. Increased confidence, absolutely. A new close friend—and many good memories.

I truly enjoyed every moment.

My (English speaking only) wife and I just concluded our second immersion with Camille Chevalier, this time in Tenerife, and the experience has been extraordinary on so many levels.

For French students of a certain age who have yet to visit Tenerife, this immersion is truly a marvel.

Firstly, as anticipated, my fluency and comprehension of French improved significantly. Camille’s expertise and approach to language learning are truly effective.

Secondly, the excursions around Tenerife were nothing short of spectacular. This island paradise boasts stunning coastal views, dramatic seascapes, crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkeling, and awe-inspiring volcanic mountains adorned with exotic flora and offering breathtaking panoramas.

The warmth and hospitality of the people we encountered throughout Tenerife were equally remarkable. They were open, friendly, and genuinely interested in engaging with us. For those unfamiliar, Tenerife is one of Spain’s Canary Islands. Beyond the typical English-speaking tourist guides, Camille’s near-perfect Spanish fluency added another layer of depth and richness to the experience.

This immersion was an unforgettable journey of learning, exploration, and connection. Highly recommended!

It may sound strange to go to Tenerife to improve your French, but honestly what could be better? Some winter sun, a personalised learning programme and lots, really lots, of time to talk with, and listen to, Camille, who clearly loves her profession.

A very experienced French immersion teacher, Camille has a strong passion to help others gain confidence to improve their French. Whether that is through conversation over lunch, sharing experiences while walking along the sea front or learning via a structured lesson, you will soon find that you feel comfortable just “giving it a go”.

Two added bonuses are firstly, the charming Jean-Loup, Camille’s companion, who joins for meals, for walks and who turns out to be both an interesting conversationalist, and a great chauffeur! Secondly, their delightful dog, Vinky, a fast-moving, gorgeous ball of wool, with whom you can practice your familiar French. Just like Camille and Jean-Loup, he never criticises!

Add to that you have the chance to see Mount Teide, endless beaches and maybe even a banana plantation.

I’d love to spend a week like this again. It’s rare to feel that you have had a truly relaxing week and at the same time really improved your language skills.

In January of this year, I impulsively committed to a one week stay in November with Camille in her home in Paimpol, France.  I’d found her just googling around the internet looking for French language immersion experiences.  I have struggled with French for the last 5 years with hearing and speaking the biggest challenge for me, so before throwing in the towel, I thought a 1-1 intensive immersion experience might be a good way to determine if I should continue putting my energy into learning French.  Perhaps I was too old (70yo) to learn a new language?  After wiring a down payment to Camille (which my bank strongly discouraged me from doing – they were concerned it was a scam!), I immediately had buyer’s remorse.   Maybe this was going to be a big waste of money and energy for me and a big waste of time for her – I worried was too much a beginner to really benefit from the week.

I returned from France a few days ago… and what an amazing experience it was!!  

Camille picked me up at the train station and we immediately started conversing in French.  I was relieved I could understand her pretty much – she speaks very clearly and more slowly than the rapid fire French dialogue in movies and series that I’ve tried to watch.  The bank was wrong, she is real!!! By the way, I wasn’t even aware of her French Today learning program, books, podcasts until I expressed concern about wiring her the balance….at which time she sent me all that information and seeing her extensive program was quite reassuring.

Arriving at her home, we were greeted by the most darling, best trained dog in the world, Vinky.  Her home is extremely comfortable with beaucoup interesting artwork and I had my own “wing” of the house with a very nice, private bedroom and my own spacious bathroom.  The bed was comfy, comfy and there was a TV in the room (with Netflix and Amazon!!) on which I could watch the American election results roll in.  It was mid-afternoon, so we went on a walk along the coastline of Paimpol.  It’s a truly beautiful region, with a lot of history (I am a WWII buff – the French Resistance was very active in this part of France during the German occupation).  Then we went home and Camille made dinner.  She had warned me before I arrived that she was not a chef.  She lied.  Big time.  She made me the most delicious meals every day!

Camille is warm, empathetic, and it’s obvious she has been teaching for some time – she was able to assess my abilities very quickly and identify my greatest weakness, which is low confidence speaking – I become paralyzed trying to say something as I roll through verb tenses, word order, and appropriate vocabulary in my head.   She really encouraged me to let go of that and speak even if I KNOW it is grammatically incorrect.  Her approach with me was to be completely encouraging.  She even told me that she was not going to correct me (which I asked her to do) unless she saw an actual pattern that needed correction.   It was very effective.  I learned that I really CAN communicate in French, much more than I thought.  It inspired me to keep learning.  She went through the French Today series with me and how to use the audio books to keep improving, and now that I am back, I have a “study plan” I feel very good about.

We took a 2 day trip by car to Mont St. Michel with her friend Jean-Loup – a truly awesome sight.  And Jean Loup was so fun to talk to – he was extremely patient with me.  Camille also set me up with a local tour guide to see the cliffs overlooking the sea, nearby villages, and the monuments from the British, American, and Canadian governments thanking the network of French resistance fighters who saved 135 pilots downed in France during WWII.  So I had practice speaking with and hearing someone other than Camille and Jean-Loup.  Camille and I walked to the town center on the open market day and I got to speak with vendors.  One shopkeeper wanted to practice her English with me, so we had a short conversation, after which Camille asked me if I noticed her grammatical errors.  I had NOT, which drove home her message to me to just TALK!  It doesn’t have to be perfect to have a perfectly fine conversation!

So after all my misgivings, it was just the best experience.  It was so easy to be in Camille’s home – she is so welcoming, laid back, and just completely engaged with you the whole time.  I have renewed interest and enthusiasm for the French language.  I am NOT too old!

My only regret is that I could not steal Vinky and bring him home with me!