Learn French in Montpellier: Social Life
All students are encouraged to make the most of their time in Montpellier by participating in a range of social activities including guided excursions and activities offered by the college.
The college organises activities each week such as: karaoke nights, visits to bars and restaurants, museums, cinemas, theatre and concerts. Day excursions to Pont du Gard, Camargue and Provence and half-day excursions to St. Guilhem, Carcassonne, Aigues-Mortes, Nîmes (Amphitheatre) and the famous source of the “Perrier” water and bottle factory.
A sample 4 week cultural programme:
Week 1
Monday:
Welcome Party
Cheese and wine party – meet the other French language students and make new friends.
Everyone at the French language school is invited!
Tuesday:
Guided tour of the historic centre. Discover the historic centre with its numerous private mansions, its picturesque streets and beautiful squares. Learn about the history of Montpellier and gather some great tips on amazing places to go out for meals, try a local bar or two, discover the best cinema or theatre in the city.
Wednesday:
Wine tasting
Wine production is one of the main industry of the Languedoc-Roussillon region and has a very long tradition. Red, white and rose wines get produced as well as the famous sweet wine Muscat.
The wine tasting takes place in a typical private mansion house dating back to the 19 th century, a local sommelier will help you discover the wines of the local region plus other French specialities. You will enjoy it!
or a visit to the Agropolis Museum
This scientific museum offers interesting insight into the nutrition of human beings in the past as well as a prediction for the future. The cyber museum offers a multimedia space with access to many libraries throughout France.
Thursday:
Soiréé Crepes: In a typical Crepes restaurant near the Place de la Comedie where students can try various “galettes” with interesting toppings: e.g. salmon – artichoke, sardines – tomato. The classic sweet crepes are very tasty (if bad for the waistline!): Apple – Caramel, melted chocolate, cherry.
Friday:
Discover Arles, one of the most beautiful towns of Provence. Because of the stunning architecture and the range of historical treasures Arles got recognised as cultural heritage by the UNESCO. Arles has always attracted famous people – Picasso and Van Gogh included.
Saturday & Sunday:
Free time so you can catch up on your homework or explore the city, the beach (or further afield with newfound friends).
Week 2
Monday:
Guided tour of the city – the private mansion houses
Discover the charm of the private mansion houses. These magnificent buildings were constructed in the 17 th and 18 th century by rich families. There are more than 250 of these houses in the historic centre of Montpellier.
Wednesday:
Visit to the Planetarium
Equipped with the latest technology, the planetarium will take you on a virtual, intergalactic journey in its dome offering a 15 meter wide screen. The 3D images will show you the astronomical phonemes.
Thursday:
Restaurant “Moules Frites”
Speciality restaurant for mussels and French fries. You will have a wide range to choose from, according to your taste: the classic choice cooked in white wine or variety of different sauces, plus a large beer and wine selection. (For those of you who do not like mussels you will find other dishes as well!)
Saturday:
Full day excursion to Uzes, Pont du Gard and Avignon
Discover Uzes, a historic town with a rich patrimony situated in a charming countryside. The Saturday market is very colourful and offers typical local products such as pottery, herbs, olive oil, home-made-cheese etc. Ideal gifts to take back home!
After Uzes, students are taken to visit the famous “Pont du Gard”, designated by UNESCO as having historic preservation status. This is the biggest Roman viaduct ever built and more than 2000 years old. Choose whether to have lunch in a local caféteria or take you own picnic and join everyone for a swim in the river afterwards.
In the afternoon you can discover the famous city of Avignon, with its historic centre, still completely surrounded by an impressive city wall. From the cathedral, which dominates the city you can see the river Rhone with its famous bridge. The many boutiques, art galleries and street musicians, make a stroll in the historic centre very enjoyable.
You can also book an optional wine tasting session in the exceptional surroundings of the historic palace of the Pope.
Week 3
Monday:
Guided tour of the city – Antigone (the new city)
Explore the Antigone quarter, designed in a neo-classical style by the famous Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill. You will see the Olympic swimming pool, the new National Library, the new “Arc de Triomphe” etc.
Wednesday:
Cheese tasting
You will visit the most famous cheese shop in Montpellier. With guidance from an expert, you will sample several cheeses (e.g. Pélardon, Camenbert, Livarot, Cantal etc.) selected from different French regions – a real “Tour de France”. You can taste the delicious cheeses and get lots of advice on the huge variety on offer, from an expert.
Thursday:
Comedy evening
The most famous comedy theatre of Montpellier welcomes you. The programme offers different entertainers each time, but they have all one thing in common – they just make you laugh.
Friday:
Excursion to Nimes
A wonderful trip to the charming city of Nimes. The city is renowned for; its “Arena” – similar in architectural style as the Coliseum in Rome, the “Maison Carré”, a magnificent small romaine temple, the “Carré d’Art” with its museum of Modern Art and the magnificent “Notre Dame St. Castor Cathedral”. There is also time to enjoy a pleasant walk along the “Quais de la Fontaine” which brings you to the famous 18 th century French gardens of Nimes.
Week 4
Monday:
Guided tour of Montpellier
You will discover the charm and sights of the city, the small pedestrian streets, the picturesque squares etc.
Wednesday:
The underground museum “Crypte”
The museum Crypte, hidden under the square “Jean-Jaures”, will enable you to learn more about the history of Montpellier. Discover ancient relics and experience a tour, with headphones, explaining the history.
Thursday:
Dinner in Crepes restaurant
In this typical French Creperie near Place de la Comédie you can taste real crepes with an amazing range of salty toppings. Surprisingly fabulous!
For dessert you can have sweet crepes with caramelised apples, melted chocolate or almonds etc.
Saturday:
Excursion to the Camargue
Discover Aigues-Mortes, an old fortress built in the 13th century by Saint-Louis. Next to it are the salt mountains – formed from the salt production from the lagoons nearby. Enjoy a picnic in the sand dunes of Espiguette beach. Afterwards students are driven to “Les Saintes Maries de la Mer”, the capital of the Camargue region. On the way you can see the renown Camargue wildlife (Camargue bulls, wild horses and wild pink flamingos) as well as the typical houses of the “Gardians”. There is also sufficient free time to go horse riding, take a boat trip or to hire a bicycle.
