French Immersion Homestay At Teacher’s Near Fontainebleau

Ma semaine chez Fabienne à Fontainebleau.

J’ai toujours voulu faire une immersion en France, mais avec les engagements familiaux et travail, c’etait difficile de le faire.
Pendant ‘lockdown’ J’ai lu les articles sur French Today et J’ai trouvé les informations d’immersion.
L’immersion à Fontainebleau m’a intéressé parce que c’est seulement 40 minutes de Paris!
Je suis très heureuse que J’ai choisi l’immersion avec Fabienne, son mari, Fabrice et leur fille, Elsa dans le petit village de Bourron-Marlotte.
Je suis restée dans un joli gîte à coté de la maison. Fabienne et moi avons pris le petit déjeuner ensemble dans sa cuisine et puis nous avons commencé les études.
Fabienne, Fabrice et Elsa sont vraiment sympas! Ils sont très accueillants et pendant le dejeuner nous avons eu des conversations trés intéressants (en français, bien sûr!)
L’après-midi, Fabienne et moi ont visité quelques musées de l’art et de la poésie et tout le temps nous avons parlé en Français.Ma visite préférée était le Château de Fontainebleau – c’est formidable!
Les soirs, J’ai acheté de la nourriture pour moi et Je me suis détendue toute seule – un bon moment pour réfléchir à la journée et téléphoner à la maison.
Je voudrais dire ‘merci’ mille fois à Fabienne parce qu’elle m’a donné beaucoup plus de confiance en moi avec mon français.

I would highly recommend an immersion stay with Fabienne – fabulous French, delicious meals, beautiful area and wonderful company!

Set in the countryside west of Fontainebleau is the lovely village of Bourron-Marlotte where I joyfully experienced a week in the french language/excursion immersion with Fabiennne and Fabrice, and daughter Elsa.  Fabrice was on holiday from his temporary post in Saudi Arabia, so was able to assist Fabienne with many of the excursions.  I had the opportunity  to have individual time with both and create great friendships. Being an artist, both cultural and natural setting excursions were equally welcomed.

 Mornings began with breakfast and casual conversation with Fabienne. An opportunity to know each other well:)  Then began a two hour french lesson which ended around noon and Fabienne would cook lunch while I did my homework.  We then all three of us (Elsa was at school), sat outside under the lovely sky and vegetation and had a beautiful lunch, each day, french style, and with Rosé vin conversations were plentiful!

 Afternoons were spent on an interesting nearby excursion. Monday I was on my own after my early afternoon arrival. Tuesday Fabrice and I visited the charming house of writer Mallarmé and afterward took a promenade down a street next to the Seine observing “Les Affolantes” –  the beautiful prestigious homes overlooking the Seine.  Wednesday was on my own at the Fontainebleau Palace.  Thursday Fabrice and I toured the quaint Barbizon and the artist Millet musée and studio.. Friday Fabienne and Fabrice took us to a lovely Lebanese restaurant for Lunch in Fontainbleau and after that we journeyed to the amazing house of Jean Cocteau. Saturday instead of lunch together we went to a fun evening picnic on an organic farm with livestock and a great jazz band.  So that afternoon I had the opportunity to use the pool once more:)  

 Evenings were on my own and I had the opportunity to swim in F and F’s pool and/or  bicycle into town and explore, sometimes discovering a band playing at a local restaurant, or simply hang out in the lovely, well appointed gîte.

 Time flew and I enjoyed every second of this marvelous experience. Fabienne is a fantastic teacher and cook!  Fabrice is a wonderful story-teller! The excursions were fabulous!!

When I retired two years ago, I started learning French and re-learning German using a variety of internet resources. My goals mainly center around travel and understanding more about European history and culture. I made good progress with French for about a year and a half or so, but then hit a wall. Certain basics were just not making sense to me (for example, placement of pronouns, passé composé), and although I found good resources to explain each bit I struggled with, the language never felt coherent.

Fabienne was great at sequencing my next steps. She was excellent at explaining the grammar structures and finding exercises for me to practice. By the end of the week, certain ideas that had been a muddle of French in my head started to “sound” right. I know I’ll need to practice more, but previously I felt I was just spinning my wheels. Now I see a path forward. French feels more coherent than it did!

The actual stay was wonderful. I had an incredible week with Fabienne and her family. They are all so nice. The apartment I stayed in is self contained and very comfortable for one or two. The village they live in is small and quiet. The grocery store, pharmacy, a few restaurants are about 10-15 minute walk from their home, so it’s easy to get any basics you might need.

The surrounding area is stunning. I understand why French royalty chose Fontainebleau for a château, and why the Barbizon painters (precursors to Impressionists) flocked to the beautiful forests. It was an incredible week, and I wish I could have stayed longer.

Fabienne, and her family, were great. Before spending time with her I knew little to no French and she really helped me get a good start. Additionally, the afternoon outings were very interesting (Stéphane Mallarmé’s museum, Barbizon, the Prehistoric museum of Ile de France, the city of Provins…) and some involved longer walks so I benefited from the exercise. The meals and accommodations were wonderful. The separate gîte had a lot of light, was roomy, had a full kitchen, an update bath and was very comfortable. The setting was very quiet with outdoor tables and we ate outdoors several times. the village of Bourron-Marlotte itself was very nice and there was the most wonderful gastronomic restaurant “Les Prémices” within walking distance of Fabienne’s home. The setting, the service, the food and chef were amazing.     All in all a wonderful experience!

 What a wonderful week of study of French I had , excellent cuisine, and super comfortable lodging. Looking for a week of language immersion with excellent instruction and access to sites near Fontainebleau?  This was super. 

 Fabienne has years of experience,  and the instruction geared around meals and two hours of teaching. It was excellent.  The lessons were tailored to my level, engaging, and fun. Meal periods were excellent:  super French cuisine (the host  can  adjust variably to dietary preferences )  and the conversation geared to practice conversation in French.  Fabienne was an excellent ambassador to my stay, the language, and French culture.  Fontainebleau is an interesting region and a short train ride to all the culture and events in Paris. Super location. The guest house so comfortable, with kitchen, sitting room, and patio.  I can highly recommend this program.

 Where do I begin? An immersion week, where I could speak and improve my French, had always been a dream of mine. However, for many reasons (including work, fear, Covid) I kept putting it off. Finally, I made the best decision and spent an unforgettable week in Bourron-Marlotte with Fabienne.

 Fabienne is a true teacher in every sense of the word. She is patient, she listens, she explains, and she encourages. She genuinely loves the French language and loves to teach. I formally studied French decades ago but never really felt comfortable having conversations with native French speakers. My week with Fabienne changed everything. I spent a week in Paris and Normandy after my immersion week. During that week I spoke French to everyone! Including a long-time French friend who said my progression in speaking French was truly “incroyable” It was the first time in over 40 years of friendship that we were able to have full conversations in French.

 Fabienne has both a structured and unstructured method to her teaching. We started the day with breakfast in her kitchen. Mornings involved conversations and some work in French.  Afternoons were different adventures each day, which included hikes in the beautiful surrounding forests, visits to Fountainebleau, Barbizon, local markets and the home of the French artist, Rosa Bonheur. Fabienne and I were able to discuss history, art, current events and life in general (all in French!). When I made mistakes, she corrected me and explained why. 

 The living accommodations were excellent. Having my own lovely little studio apartment which was attached to her home could not have worked out better. Also, Fabienne is an amazing cook who uses organic ingredients to create absolutely delicious meals. And she adapted everything to suit my dairy allergy.

 Meeting and spending some time with her lovely daughter, Elsa, was the icing on the cake. I truly could not have imagined anything better.

 Fabienne is a caring and kind person and I enjoyed every moment I spent with her. I have so many wonderful memories and truly treasure the time I spent with her.

 Harriett

I highly recommend an immersion stay with Fabienne. Everything on her web page is accurate.

She is a kind, generous and effective teacher. She will definitely help you to improve your French, even during that one week stay.

I had been stuck at beginner’s French for several years. Although I know the words and phrases, I was intimidated to speak en français; and when I did, it was unintelligible to the French. After spending one week immersing in the French language with Fabienne, I am glad to say that when I returned to Paris for a week, I was able to order all my meals in French and, even to ask for directions from complete strangers and still be understood. Hooray!

The added bonus – Fabienne prepares tasty and healthy meals and, she plans daily excursions so everyday is a new discovery. It was a truly enjoyable and memorable experience pour moi.

Thanks again Fabienne!

En octobre dernier, j’ ai eu une semaine « French Immersion Homestay » à côté de Fontainebleau.  L’expérience était super. 

 La Prof, Fabienne, locutrice native de français, est excellent.  En enseignant les langues pour plus de vingt ans, elle a bien adapté les leçons selon mes besoins et mes buts.    Les conversations pendant les repas étaient absolument plaisant. 

Une vraie expérience d’immersion.  La cuisine française était délicieuse. 

La région autour de Fontainebleau est intéressant avec beaucoup de sites de l’histoire culturelle, et d’espaces de  nature.

Paris est très accessible par train.    

With Fabienne the lessons were very focused, engaging, and relaxed. Simply put, a nice learning environment.

 Regarding the accommodations, the studio was very comfortable with a full kitchen, living room area and patio: very relaxing and private.  I can fully recommend this immersion program; the location, the teaching and the accommodations are wonderful.

“J’ai passé une semaine incroyable avec Fabienne et sa jolie fille, Elsa.   Elle était la professeure, l’hôtesse et l’amie tout à la fois.  Comme elle est vraiment passionnante sur l’art, et l’histoire, j’ai tellement appris d’elle. Nos conversations et nos sorties sont toujours intéressantes.

 Fontainebleau est une ville magnifique, en particulier, à Bourron- Marlotte qui a une riche culture, des belles maisons plein d’histoires car pendant l’époque vivaient des célèbres écrivains et des peintres. Je me sentais chanceuse de visiter cette belle région qui m’a totalement enthousiasmée.

 Il y a plus de trésors à découvrir encore et j’ai hâte de revenir au plus vite – d’apprendre, de parler et surtout passer du temps ensemble avec Fabienne. 

 Merci Fabienne et Elsa pour les bons souvenirs. “