French Immersion Homestay At Camille's In Paimpol - Bretagne
[2023 all booked]
- 15 hours of one-on-one French instruction
- 2 private bedrooms, 1 study, 1 private shower+bath room and private toilet in my house
- 3 meals per day with active French conversations
- 4 French practice excursions in my region - I can drive you around
- 1-3. Come alone: you'll be my only student, or come with family or friends
Amenities/Features
Sleeping Arrangements
1 queen bed
1 double bed
Types of Courses Offered: French conversation with a focus on speaking and understanding modern French and building your confidence. Vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation. During class, we will be using my audiobooks and app - included in the price of tuition
Teacher Certifications: Founder of French Today. Author of the "Ă Moi Paris" learning method, and 25+ French audiobook. Former Guide of French.About.com.
Extra Activities/Options: My husband Olivier is a foodie and a wonderful cook. He offers cooking classes. He can also do the class in English for a companion traveling with you. Contact me for more info, availability and prices.
Meet Camille - your French tutor, language buddy & host In France
Bonjour Ă tous ! My name is Camille and Iâll be your dedicated French teacher during your residential French immersion stay at my house. You may already know me since I'm the founder of French Today, and the woman (and voice) behind all our French audiobooks and most of the French blog articles.
I was born and raised in Neuilly-sur-Seine - by Paris - then moved to the US - Boston - in my early twenties. That's where I met my also French husband Olivier, and where our daughter Leyla was born.
We moved back to France in 1999 to simplify our lives and raise our daughter among her family. The three of us have the dual French American citizenship and our house remained bilingual.
Our daughter is now a young adult and has moved out to study in Bordeaux. We have another house seventy yards away were Olivier lives.
I will be welcoming you in a larger house, conveniently located in the center of town, at a ten minute walk from all the shops and also the shore and the sea.
Because of my life abroad, I'm quite accustomed to switching between languages, and I really understand the challenge - and fear - to express yourself in a foreign language. If you are traveling with English speaking companions, I'll be able to carry on bilingual conversations: everybody will be included and enjoy a great vacation!
People say I have a knack for explaining grammar clearly. My aim as a teacher is to help you feel more confident in your ability to communicate in French, and as an immersion host, to show you my beautiful little piece of Earth!
I'm quite active: I go swimming almost everyday, love a picnic, walk everywhere. I practice Pilates everyday. The shore here is perfect for a jog. In the evening, I enjoying grabbing a drink with my friends in the harbor, or watching the sunset on the sea. I'm always on the lookout for a theater play or an art exhibit.
If you too enjoy these activities, then on top of the formal lesson times, I'll treat you like a friend and welcome you into my daily life: you will experience France like never before!
Whatâs My French Immersion Homestay Program?
The idea is simple: spend as much time with you as possible, speak a lot of French, experience life "comme les Français".
Because I'm still writing my audiobooks and articles, I can only host immersions sporadically, one week at a time. If you want to add a couple of days, it may be possible: contact me.
NOTE: my 2023 season is all booked. 2024 dates not yet available.Â
Typical One Week French Homestay Program
I will be happy to completely tailor a program with you according to your own goal and needs.
However, here is a typical program for a week stay at my house:
- 15 hours of French language tuition.
- 4 guided tours with me.
We may visit a castle, or pack a picnic and spend the afternoon at the beach, or go to the market and then cook together what we've bought... We may also plan an entire day-trip to the island of BrĂ©hat. We'll discuss it and decide together! - 6 breakfasts with me: croissant and fresh baguette, crĂȘpe or whatever fits your dietary needs
- 12 shared meals
If you'd like, we'll also enjoy lunch and dinner together. We may go out a couple of times. I'm not a super chef, but I love good food! So maybe you'll help me a bit in the kitchen? Chatting comes easy when you are cooking together and then enjoying a meal. - 6 nights in your own comfortable and private accommodation.
Upstairs, you'll enjoy your own room and study, with private bathroom and toilet. - I will be welcoming you on Sunday after 2 PM, and we'll say goodbye on the following Saturday before 2 PM.
- I will gladly pick you up at the Paimpol's train station and drop you off.
Price
2024 season prices to be determined.
Extra Guests
You are welcome to come with your significant other, friend(s) or family member(s).
Please contact me for rates for further family members/guests.
Please note, I cannot welcome kids under 14. And no pets, since I'm allergic to them. Sorry.
Other Possible French Immersion Programs
Together, we can design the best program to fit your goals and needs. I can be more or less present, give you more or less homework... Tell me what you'd like and let's make it happen!
What Are My French Teaching Credentials And What Method Do I Use?
25 Years Experience Teaching French
Iâve been teaching French for over 25 years now! I started teaching in Boston, USA, then when I moved back to France, I continued teaching online. I stopped a couple of years back to write my French learning method, develop French Today's blog and the social media... But I miss teaching and the human contact I had with my students. Hence this desire to become an immersion teacher and host.
I Welcome All Levels of Adult Students
Many students dream of doing an "all French" immersion. This is indeed a great way to improve your French. However, a certain level of spoken French is necessary to successfully immerse for a week in another language, and enjoy a good time!
Kids do adapt fast to total immersion... for adults, it can take time, and being fully immersed in French for a true beginner will most likely be overwhelming and stressful, and therefore counterproductive.
So, I will adapt my immersion to your level of French, and your goals and your ability.
- If you are already fluent in French and want to speak only French during the lessons and during the whole stay, I don't see why it would be a problem.
- If you are an advanced beginner or an intermediate student, to make sure that you fully benefit from the lessons, I will use English to explain the French language rules.
Then we'll speak French as much as possible, but may take English breaks if you are tired.
- If you are a beginner, I'll do what I can to entice you to practice what you've learned, but also make sure you are enjoying your vacation in France : so we will use English more often.
In the past, I've taught children and loved it. But now, I prefer the company of adults, and they are more suited to enjoy my very active lifestyle.
My French Teaching Method
I use French Today's audiobooks and app in class, as well as YouTube videos and movies.
We will speak mostly in French, except when I explain a grammar rule: unless you are an advanced French speaker and can understand everything I say, I believe it's better to explain French intricacies in English. This way, you can concentrate on understanding what I say, not how I say it!
I will of course use our daily activities to entice you to speak French. Thatâs the beauty of immersion in France: opportunities to speak French are all around you!
And, if you want, I will give you homework.
Iâm Bilingual In French And English
Both French and American citizen, Iâm bilingual and I also speak Spanish. Any problem at all, I can speak English with your and your family, translate... You're safe with me.
Flexibility Is My Motto!
Weâll go over the specificities of the curriculum together. I can give you as little or as much homework as youâd like, and when you leave, Iâll provide a document with a resumĂ© of what weâve worked on, and things you should continue studying.
Anyway, Iâm sure weâll stay in touch after your stay.
Learn French In France â Your French immersion Program in Paimpol, Bretagne
Nested between the sea and the countryside, Brittany will enchant you! Pristine beaches with crystal clear waters. Rocky pathways and majestic Medieval stone castles. Authentic villages with cobblestone streets and timbered houses. The secluded island of BrĂ©hat âlâĂźle aux fleursâ, the pink granite coast⊠The world-famous Mont-Saint-Michel is also a day-trip away.
Brittany, The Celtic Side Of France
At a short train ride from Paris, and direct ferry to England, Brittany is an amazing destination to practice your French. Many people here are fishermen or grow fruits and vegetables: the region is known for its tomatoes, strawberries, apple cider, potatoes and of course, les crĂȘpes: the world-famous French pancakes!
Our Authentic Breton Town Of Paimpol
Our small city of Paimpol is 8000 inhabitants strong in winter⊠30,000 in summer! Itâs a vacation destination for the French, so people here are relaxed, very welcoming of tourists which are important for our town and its many restaurants, shops, cafĂ©s⊠It will be easy for you to strike up a conversation - maybe during the Tuesday market where youâre welcome to come with me: thatâs where I buy most of my groceries.
More about Camille and the region
View Camille's articles on French Today's blog.
Your French Immersion Homestay Accommodations in Paimpol, Bretagne
Letâs talk about your accommodation in Paimpol, Brittany, France.
Ideally Located Between The Town Center And The Sea
Located between the center of Paimpol - at a 10 minute walk from all the shops, the restaurants and the harbor, and on the other side the sea shore with its pristine sand beaches and easy and beautiful hikes - my house is the perfect place to enjoy your French immersion stay to its fullest.
Easy To Reach
Unless you want to, you donât really have to rent a car. There are many things to do by foot around here and for the rest, I can drive you around in my car, and Audi A3 which comfortably sits 4.
If you plan on coming by train, there's a tiny train station in Paimpol. It will connect you to the Paris-Brest TGV via Guingamp (where you may rent a car if you or your party wanted to be independent).
The nearest international airports are Rennes (2 hours) and Nantes (3 hours), and they are both great little airports. You can easily rent a car at these airports.
My Atypical Breton House
My house is not a typical Breton house: it's an open-space floor downstairs with modern features.
Technology is very important for us. Our house enjoys a very fast fibre internet connection and a top-notch media center with access to French and American cable TV, and two very cozy sofas to lay on as we do! You'll enjoy a large and functional kitchen, and the dinning table comfortably sits eight. There's a toilet, and a large garage/ pantry/ laundry area.
Upstairs, there are three bedrooms, a study, two bathrooms and a separate toilet. Please note that the stairs are a little steep, with half of them without a hand-rail. So unfortunately, my house is not accessible to young children or people with walking disabilities.
Noone smokes in my family.
Although smoking inside is not permitted, you may smoke outside.
We donât have pets.
What about the garden? Who needs a garden when the sea is at the end of the street? We do have two patios: a tiny one in the front of the house which gets a lot of sun and is great to take a coffee break, a larger one to the back of the house where I keep my barbecue.
Your Room, Office, Private Bathroom And Toilet
When you are pushing yourself all day to speak French, it's important to have a private, comfortable and quiet place to clear your mind. I'm sure you'll love my student bedroom.
Located upstairs, in the most quiet part of the house, you'll enjoy a large queen bed (160 x 200 cm) with premium beddings, plenty of storage space for your belongings, and a small desk with a sound system, a large screen and your own TV with access to Netflix, Prime Video & French TV. If you're not bringing your own laptop, I will lend you a computer.
You'll also have your private shower / bathroom and toilet. Towels are bountiful, your hairdryer powerful. We do have a washing machine and a dryer (that last item is still a rarity in France !)
There are actually a couple of bedrooms upstairs, and a study as well. If you are traveling with someone, you may use another room at no extra cost. There's also an office space where you may enjoy to study.
My own bedroom is also located upstairs, but on the other side of the house. And I also have my private bathroom.
See You Soon In Paimpol!
I am very excited to welcome you soon into my house. I strongly feel a French immersion stay with me will help you get over the fear of speaking experienced by so many students, and take your French to the next level. With me, you - and possibly your family - will enjoy a true learning vacation.
Since my program is quite popular, I suggest you contact me as soon as possible, so we can get to know each other and start making plans. By clicking the link below, you'll be redirected to a contact form. I will then answer you and send you a Frequently Asked Question list to help you make an informed decision.
Looking forward to seeing you soon âchez moiâ in Paimpol!
Contact Camille - your French tutor, language buddy & host
French Immersion in Paimpol, Bretagne