Last year I did a French immersion with Camille in Paimpol, and it was a great success in terms of improving my spoken French. It gave me much more confidence speaking and was such a positive experience that I decided to join Camille again, this time for a week of immersion in Alcalá, Tenerife.
Although it might seem unusual at first to do a French immersion in a Spanish-speaking country, in practice it worked perfectly. I spoke French all the time with Camille and her partner Jean-Loup, and the immersion felt completely natural. One of the highlights for me was spending time talking with Jean-Loup. Because he doesn’t speak English and isn’t a French teacher, our conversations felt very real and authentic, which was incredibly helpful for improving my spoken French.
Camille had rented a simple but comfortable apartment for me right next to hers, which made everything very convenient. We could easily have French lessons in my apartment, then go to her apartment for dinner, or spend time chatting together. The arrangement worked really well and made the whole experience feel relaxed and natural.
Alcalá itself is a beautiful part of Tenerife. Unlike many places on the island, it hasn’t been ruined by tourism and still retains its original charm. It was a lovely place to spend a week, peaceful, authentic, and full of character.
Camille was also very flexible with the programme, adapting the lessons and activities to my interests and level. The atmosphere was relaxed but very productive.
Another bonus for me is that I’m an amateur photographer, and Alcalá and the surrounding area offered plenty of great opportunities for photography, which made the experience even more enjoyable. Checkout my photos from Alcala here: https://www.instagram.com/paulbyrnephotography/
And finally, I should mention that Camille is an excellent cook! Sharing meals together was a wonderful part of the immersion and created lots of opportunities for relaxed conversation in French.
Overall, I had a fantastic experience. It was a week of real French immersion, meaningful conversations, and enjoyable learning, all in a beautiful and sunny setting. I am now looking at my diary to plan my third immersion with Camille!
Spending a week with Pierre in February 2026 for a French immersion was a wonderful learning experience for me. Pierre is a kind, knowledgeable, and gifted teacher who focuses on practical, real-world French — exactly what I needed. He seamlessly wove lessons into everyday life, making the immersion feel natural and genuinely enriching.
What impressed me most was how thoughtful and accommodating he was. When I mentioned my plant-based diet, he adapted his cooking without any fuss, preparing delicious meals that made me feel completely at home. Speaking of home — Pierre’s is cozy, comfortable, and welcoming. His daughter Anaïs (6 years old and absolutely adorable!) and his two super-friendly cats add so much warmth to the atmosphere.
Beyond the language itself, I came away with a real appreciation for French culture and daily life — something you simply can’t get from a classroom. I felt genuinely privileged to share in Pierre’s routine and get that authentic immersion experience.
I wholeheartedly recommend Pierre to anyone looking to learn French through a home immersion. You’ll leave with better French, wonderful memories, and quite possibly a new friend.
February 2026 was my second time staying with Soline and her dedication in helping me prepare for upcoming French exams remains unfounded. When I made little errors, she corrected them politely and told me how I could improve by using different tenses, or synonyms. Her family were warm and welcoming when I ate meals with them and listening to their native conversations benefitted me as I was able to hear different voices and different ways of speaking. The gîte is cosy and well equipped with everything that I could need. The visits to the local area of Auvergne were informative and engaging.
Overall, I would highly recommend French in Context to anyone who wants to be truly immersed in French lifestyle and culture. No matter what your level of French is, Soline will accommodate to your ability.
Aidan
Greetings from TENERIFE where I have just finished a two week immersion with Camille. I am an artist and wanted to give my French a jump start after being an “advanced beginner” for beaucoup d’années. Mission definitely accomplished.
Why go to France in the winter when you could be having a warm study-cation in sunny Tenerife?
Though it may seem unintuitive to you, it was not to me. I thought it sounded like a great idea. It has turned out to be an excellent choice and it really did live up to my expectations. We met daily for two hours of study in the morning from Camille’s À Moi Paris course, we ate lunch together; the afternoon was free, and we regrouped in the early evening for a walk and a picnic dinner while watching the sunset, or dining out (all meals provided by Camille). Breakfast was on my own with a well stocked, by Camille, refrigerator.
As I managed to fracture my foot before leaving the US, I really used my time to focus on my French and doing way less drawing than I usually do while traveling. We did do a few field trips, all having minimal walking. My favorite was watching the kite surfers in El Medano.
The evenings and field trips included her friend Jean-Loup and adorable dog Vicky. Jean-Loup speaks very little English so an excellent opportunity to continue speaking in French when he joined us.
Camille is very adaptable and not at all rigid. As the time passed I was able to not resort to English as much. Non, I am not fluent (c’mon, it was only to weeks), but am more confident, my foundation way stronger, and am enthused to try keeping up with the program when I return home. It was too bad that I was not as mobile as I would have liked to have been as there are many nice walks. I did love being somewhere I have not been before.
My little apartment was great with a great view of the water from the balcony. The town is small, very quiet, and easy to relax in. I could go on, but in summary, this was the perfect get away and study-cation.
I had an absolutely fantastic language immersion experience during my holiday with Céline, Gill and their whole family. It exceeded all my expectations. Their hospitality was extraordinary: delicious food, fascinating and enriching conversations, encounters with adorable animals inside and outside the house, excursions to the beautiful sites of Brittany and even a fest noz!
Céline is a very experienced, talented and patient teacher. I am only an advanced beginner in spoken French, and my stay lasted only a week, but this experience has given me a huge boost in confidence. I now feel comfortable enough to have simple conversations with strangers.
I highly recommend this experience!
Spending a week with Pierre and his two kitties in La Livinière was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The program has a great balance between structured learning and casual conversation. Staying in an old French village, where time seems to slow down, is the perfect way to not only learn but also relax.
Each day included focused French practice tailored to my level while pushing me into the unknown to keep it challenging. This learning was cemented by the continued exchanges we had throughout the day. Whether we were sharing meals, hiking in the spectacular surrounding areas, or visiting historic sites in the region, conversation in French flowed constantly.
Pierre is knowledgeable about linguistics and history, always sharing the origin of different words, which helps with memorization. He is a wonderful host and guide to the region. We went on several hikes (there is no shortage of beautiful nature to explore), including the Châteaux de Lastours, and visited some of the historic villages nearby – Minerve was fantastic! His knowledge of local history, culture, and nature added depth to these outings.
One of the highlights of the week was simply spending time together outside of lessons. We shared great meals, exchanged music (I am now a big fan of Natalia Doco!) and had long conversations about everything from language to culture and everyday life in France. By the end of the week, Pierre felt less like a teacher and more like a friend.
This was honestly the best stay I’ve ever done in France. I learnt so much, both linguistically and culturally, and the whole experience felt incredibly personalised. Christelle really listened to everything I wanted and absolutely delivered – it felt like she genuinely knew me and understood exactly what I needed from the stay.
From the moment I arrived, her family was so welcoming that I felt relaxed straight away. The atmosphere in the house was warm, open and reassuring, which made it easy to speak French without feeling self-conscious.
The lessons were at exactly the right level for me. I really appreciated how Christelle pinpointed the most relevant topics and grammar points, focusing on what would actually help me progress rather than sticking to something generic.
My favourite part? Honestly, I loved all of it, the lessons, the excursions, everything. But if I had to choose, I particularly enjoyed going to the movies (a special movie was chosen) and the time spent in the evenings with the family – those moments really put my French to the test in the best possible way. It was challenging, rewarding, and incredibly motivating.
I couldn’t recommend this immersive stay in Angers more highly.
My stay chez Céline was pleasant and relaxing, there’s a lot of space upstairs to take time for yourself without being confined to your room. Céline is a conscientious host and a very experienced teacher, and is very willing to tailor lessons to your needs. The location is peaceful and I enjoyed some local walks each day in the countryside. We did three excursions during my stay which I very much enjoyed. The opportunity to meet some of their neighbours over a meal was also appreciated.
Had a great time learning French at this beautiful country house that’s perfect for animal lovers! Céline and Gilles are kind and attentive hosts and the one-on-one homestay environment gave me ample opportunity to practice and develop my French skills throughout the day.
Although my French level is fairly basic, I felt a vast improvement in my abilities after only a week there and am looking forward to returning at some point to continue my studies!
I have been to France several times since 2000 and during my most recent visit (November 2025), I included a French immersion homestay for the first time. This turned out to be an extra special experience for me because not only did I get to stay in the home of a very friendly French family, I was able to brush up on my ‘rusty’ French, as well as have a look around a beautiful part of France. I stayed with Christelle (aka Madame Frenchy) and her family in Angers, all of whom made me feel welcome.
Christelle herself has an easy-going manner and was very generous with her time. As a French teacher, Madame Frenchy’s approach resonated with me personally because she was patient, thorough, and lessons were personalized to my level. Furthermore, she could explain difficult-to-grasp aspects of French to me in English if the need arose. This was important to me because in the past, when French teachers have tried to explain such difficulties in French, it often confused things further rather than clarifying them. Consequently, I appreciated Christelle’s flexibility in this area during our lessons.
Away from the teaching part of my homestay, Madame Frenchy showed me some of the sights in/around Angers, and accompanied me as I sampled some of the local food and wines. On these outings, she was more than a guide; she was great company. When I did venture off on my own, Christelle would make sure that I was ‘up to speed’ about places where I was going, and on how to get there and back safely.
Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay with Madame Frenchy and her family, and I will always remember my time with them in Angers with great fondness.
Graham Brookes (Australia)
To say that my week with Camille exceeded my expectations on all counts would be a gross understatement. Where do I begin?
It was Camille’s smile that somewhat bewitched me and piqued my interest in an immersion stay when I first ran across her Facebook page. Every week she lured me in with new photos of seemingly delighted students. Her home. Historical and gorgeous sights around Bretagne. The coast. A multitude of French tour guides and friends. Vinky. Food, glorious food. It was too much. I had to sign up.
Accommodations
From my very first step into Camille’s charming home, I felt welcomed and comfortable. Her home is spacious, immaculately clean, and filled with light. My bedroom was quite large, with a work desk area and ample storage. I unpacked and moved in as if it were my own.
That first night, when I dropped into bed, I was immediately soothed by a sumptuous mattress and an abundance of pillows and cozy linens. Through a window in the slanted roof, the starry night sky further enchanted me, then lulled me to sleep.
I had my own private and very large bathroom with a lounge worthy deep tub where I relaxed almost every evening. Fluffy towels were plentiful, and I was pleased to find organic options in Camille’s selection of soaps, lotions, and other bathroom toiletries.
The details don’t stop there. Camille was careful to stock her kitchen with the foods and drinks that met my breakfast needs. My morning routines are vital. She prepared fresh, delectable meals every day, and I was truly pampered. We shared lively and interesting stories at the table or in the living room warmed by a sparkling fireplace. It was easy to like Camille. She absolutely knocked it out of the park.
Lessons
I think the operative phrase for Camille’s lessons is “individually tailored.” Our class time was structured around me. Specifically me. The French that I was speaking and the French that I might speak.
Camille quickly identified my learning style and how to best meet the objectives that we outlined together. Improvements happened immediately and I made progress daily. She kept thorough and precise notes for me and effectively encouraged me to speak only French.
Nobody was more surprised, or more delighted, than I was to discover that I could speak French so well. Camille pushed me. I welcomed the challenge, and my confidence, a crucial component of speaking a foreign language, grew. This was the principal goal for my immersion stay and I was completely satisfied. She found the conversational French in me and she helped me get it out. Ten out of ten.
Tours, Excursions, and Other Activities
A private tour was arranged for me with the fabulous and informative Ana. What a great idea, to send me off on my own to speak French with someone new. With Ana’s individual speaking style, pitch, vocabulary, and conversational speed, I was immediately challenged and exposed to more French.
I had a very enjoyable day that included an interesting maritime museum, a fish breeding pond, and the cathedral of Saint Ives, all on a breezy day in the Paimpol area, topped off with a stop for an espresso and more French, French, French.
Perhaps the crowning jewel of my immersion trip was a two day excursion to Saint Malo, Mont Saint Michel, and Dinan. Was it the sing alongs in the car, the lesson about mistletoe, night play in a cemetery? Could it have been the exquisite meals, the sights, or the history?
The invigorating walks through important medieval towns, over cobblestone alleyways, and up, up, up the ancient steps of the Abbey of Mont Saint Michel? I can’t really say.
What I can tell you is that Camille and her friend Jean Loup were tour guides, docents, and history lecturers of top shelf variety. The thoughtfulness and attentiveness that they showed toward me was outstanding. Their unique touch transported me into new worlds. If I sound a bit dramatic, it’s simply that in their company, this trip perfectly checked off a long anticipated journey to Saint Malo. That Mont Saint Michel blew my mind. And that I was emotionally and intellectually sated.
One evening, Camille and Jean Loup invited me to attend a play at the local adult community theatre. Jean Loup was performing, and Camille whipped up a beautiful and delicious appetizer feast for all the actors backstage. What a treat to experience Paimpol like a local. Fair to admit that Camille gave me a synopsis of the play beforehand, without which I’d likely have missed at least half of the delightful production.
The days were filled with activity, and I was grateful for Camille’s enthusiasm and the discipline with which she kept me on task. Even on day one, after two long days of traveling, there was a sturdy walk in the brisk air along the coast in Paimpol. With views out to wind turbines in the sea and peaks over the walls of the Abbey at Beaufort, it was absolutely breathtaking and fun.
Of course, this walk, and another along a more violent and rocky coastal region, were all the more enjoyable in the company of the friendly and mischievous Vinky, pup extraordinaire.
Friendship
This is indeed an unexpected category for my review, but likely the most valuable.
Though Paimpol, and perhaps the whole of Bretagne, are enchanting, make no mistake, this program for me was about Camille and the truly lovely people with whom she surrounds herself, whom she shared with me for a memorable week that passed too quickly.
The most surprising gift of this adventure was to bid a heartfelt “so long” not just to my talented teacher and hostess, but to someone whom I now call friend, and whose smile I hope to see again one day.
Merci,
I spent 2.5 weeks at La Noria with Pascale, Agnes and Geraldine! What an amazing experience! I wanted to practice my listening and spoken French primarily with native speakers and I could not have asked for a better experience. Pascale is patient, kind, and knowledgeable so we had lively conversations and I learned a lot of vocabulary and tweaked my spoken grammar. I love nature and French architecture and history so all of our excursions were delightful. The location is outstanding and I took advantage of the walks into the village to get groceries and to just take in the vineyards and the countryside. I even went on a bike ride on one of the weekends and a few train trips. The Noria is a special property and the rooms are charming and their yard is like having your own piece of paradise. I will definitely return for the language, the food, the people, and the location.
This was my first home stay Immersion experience. I chose La Liviniere as it seemed to offer an authentic experience, in an area not inundated with tourists. My week with Pierre mid-November exceeded those expectations. I was a bit nervous about how the week would go, but easily fell into a routine, and the week flew by quickly. First up was breakfast, then a French lesson from 0930-1230. The structured class part was actually very flexible and tailored to my needs. Pierre encouraged me to expand my vocabulary and to use tenses that I often avoid, and he reviewed expressions that are very common among native speakers. A home-cooked lunch followed, then an afternoon excursion. One afternoon was a hike around the village and vineyards, another was a drive to Minerve and walk around the village and the gorge, and the next was a drive to Lastours. A big storm prevented any outdoor activities one day, but we continued learning with Scrabble and other games. The week offered extensive opportunities to listen, learn and speak French. I hope to retain all the info, but know I would benefit from a repeat stay, as the area and Pierre have much to offer; a week was barely enough to scratch the surface!As far as logistics go, I did not have a car, but really didn’t need one as Pierre picked me up and dropped me off, and did the driving on the excursions. There is a bike available, but at the time of year I visited there was no daylight left to use it. There is currently one restaurant in village, as well as a small grocery store for dinner.
In the week I spent with Camille, I think it not untrue to say that I have learned more French than in the previous 8 years that I have spent living in France. Camille’s method asks and answers everyday situations and prepares one for real life.
Clarisse is a fantastic French teacher! She also has interesting lessons prepared from grammar, dictation, culture to songs. When we went shopping and out to lunch she would correct me, and it was so nice just to be in natural settings and have her there to help me. You won’t be disappointed if you take courses with Clarisse!