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.