CESA Languages > Language Course & Activities > French and Activities > French and Hiking

French and Hiking

French and Hiking programmes in Aix-en-Provence are offered on set dates each Spring and Autumn.

You can combine your French language studies with small group hikes in this beautiful region. Would you like to explore the wonderful countryside of Aix-en-Provence with local French guides, who have a passion for the region and who will delight in sharing their knowledge of the area with you?

PDF Download  French and Hiking 2025

 

Hiking Programme

One afternoon walking following Cezanne’s footsteps to the breath-taking Mont Sainte-Victoire

An afternoon hiking in the vineyard Domain de Beaulieu in the heart of Pays d’Aix, enjoying unspoilt views of the Alpilles and Saint-Victoire mountains and the Luberon region

An afternoon hiking in the Vauvenargues area, where Picasso spent the last years of his life.

A full day hike in the National Park of the Calanques, an area of incredible beauty, diverse landscapes and unique cultural heritage, based around the rocky creeks of the Mediterranean Sea, allowing you to discover the distinctive flora of the area.
Course Statistics
Minimum age:  18
French lessons per week: 20
Levels: A1 to C2 French ability
Hikes (over 2 weeks): 3 PMs & one full day
Hiking over 2 wks: Approx. 17 hours
Duration: 2 weeks
Instruction: French

 

 

Start Dates 2025

French & Hiking Course Dates
March May September October
17 12 15 13

 

Applies to general language courses.
Start dates in red are also open to beginners on Standard Course only
* = Tuesday start date due to Monday public holiday

 

French Group Courses     Year round. No hikes included
January February March April May June
06, 20 03, 17 03, 17,  31 14, 28 12, 26 10*,  23
July August September October November December
07,  21 04,  18 01, 15,  29 13, 27 10, 24 08#
# 1 wk max course duration        

Public Holidays: Please note lessons lost due to holidays WILL BE made up, in the week
Dates affected: 21 Apr, 01, 08 & 29 May, 09 Jun, 14 Jul, 15 Aug, 01 & 11 Nov in 2025
Closing: 19 Dec’25 / Re opening: 05 Jan ‘26

 

 Course Fees
 French & Hiking / 2 weeks  EUR 1,295.00
 + CESA admin fee  EUR      70.00
 Accommodation Fees
 Hosts, B&B  EUR    462.00
 Hosts, self-catering  EUR    452.00
 Host, ½ brd  EUR    626.00
 Private Studios or Hotels: Details on request

 

Note:
Please bring a good pair of hiking boots!

With over 40 years of teaching experience the college offers a great study location to suit ALL linguistic needs (across 6 language levels). The French language school in Aix-en-Provence, appeals to CESA students on a year round basis, and is ideal for short courses, year round.

Learn French in Aix-en-Provence, a vibrant and lively university town with approximately 30,000 students which has a truly cultured feel and is home to a dynamic opera festival each July. Everyone loves to see and be seen drinking coffee with the local Aixois, in the outdoor terrace cafes on the Cours Mirabeau.

The French school is located in a private mansion, in its own grounds to the east of the city centre, just 10/15 minutes’ walk from the Cours Mirabeau and the historic centre of the city. The school has excellent learning facilities for their language student, including 14 classrooms, a multi-media centre, a reception area and a lounge with a library, next to a sunny private terrace.

French Course details

Ideal for all ability levels looking for a course of 2 weeks duration. Ideal for adult learners who want to develop their general French language skills. The focus is on developing communication skills, oral skills most importantly (but written skills as well) to ensure that each student faces every type of communication with greater ease and confidence as the French programme progresses. The qualified teachers lead small international groups in a friendly and dynamic manner which encourages inter-cultural exchanges.
Course content: Revision and study of the structure of the language. Study of the 4 skills: oral and written comprehension and oral and written expression. Teaching based on everyday situations with the help of varied material. Systematically optimizing newly acquired linguistic skills. Discussions, debates and presentations to apply communication skills.

Students can join in the school’s activity programme arranged for all students during the fortnight (booked once at the school), if not clashing with the walking itinerary.

Accommodation in Aix-en-Provence

Host accommodation:
Stay with local French hosts in a single room, half-board, B&B or self catering basis. Hosts generally live in apartments around 12/25 minutes commute on foot or by bus to college each day. Please note that unless you book the self-catering option, students are not able to use their hosts kitchen for meal preparation. This is a great way to put your French into practise on a daily basis, particularly the half-board option, which gives you regular daily contact with French people.

Private Studios:
The school works with local apartment owners. They offer small studios for one or two people, near the school. Ideal for adults looking to live independently. This is a very popular and regular option used by past CESA students. Please book early, as studios will be booked quickly for all dates.
On request examples can be emailed to you for consideration.

Hotels:
The school works with various categories of Hotel in Aix-en-Provence. Please ask for details.

CESA Plus Points

Aix:

Start in the Cours Mirabeau (a street lined with cafes, restaurants and elegant mansions, and shaded by several rows of centuries-old plane trees) sit at one of the terraces and watch life go by while sipping a coffee & listen to the water playing in nearby fountains
~ explore the Old Town to the north and the Quartier Mazarin to the south
~ must sees include the Musée Granet (great 17th c. painting collection), the Atelier Cézanne & the Foundation Vasarely
~ nightlife is busy throughout the year, with bars a plenty and some great restaurants

Aix Language School:

Ideal for adult students year-round, but most popular in the April/October period

~ good course options and great location

~ wide range of accommodation offered

~ a sociable college, but gets really busy in the summer, so book early!