Course Details

At Le Poiron we offer three types of courses at all levels. We hope you will find one of the courses below suitable for you.

1. French language tuition, activities and lectures

Language tuition to your level
Listening and understanding activities
Lectures given by specialists e.g. banking, insurance, estate agent

All designed to equip you for life in France.
If you are contemplating a move to France or made the move already then this will be ideal for you.
This course will give you a taste of French life, a must for anyone thinking of moving!

2. French language tuition and activities

Language tuition to your level
Listening and understanding activities

This course is ideal if you live in France and wish to improve your language skills.
If you regularly visit France or have a second / holiday home there.
If you wish to learn / improve your French.

3. 'Tailor- made' courses

Tell us what you require we will design a course for you. Maybe you would like a longer course or would like advice from a particular specialist.

Each course above is suitable for groups, couples and individuals at both beginner and intermediate level.
Following many enquires we have also devised a new Mixed Couples course, for couples on different levels EG/. one beginner, one intermediate (your tuition for this course will be separate but all activities and social time will be spent together).
If you'd like more information, or require something more advanced, no problem. Please contact us to discuss.

There will be a maximum of six guests on your course and you will be encouraged to speak French as much as possible. The activities and outings combined within the courses all involve listening and understanding exercises.
Maybe the course with specialist lectures is ideal for you. Don't worry the lectures are given in 'Franglais'. We know that these give important information that needs to be fully understood.

Which course is right for me?

If you're unsure of the appropriate course level, you might like to have a look at the Course Level Guidelines or you complete our Language Skills Test. Many of our guests have found them particularly useful.

Course Programme

The programme below is a sample of the course content. though we d vary it slightly now and then to suit each groups individual needs. Each level (beginner, intermediate and advanced) follows the same structure but adapted appropriately. You'll find there is plenty of language practise combined with fun and interesting activities / outings. Lunch breaks follow the French tradition of being long and relaxing, with plenty of time for your evening meal as well.

During your freetime, you might like to take a relaxing dip in the pool or Jacuzzi, or simply take some time to enjoy the calm and tranquillity of the Château and it's grounds.

Monday: 16.00 -; Arrival and settling in
Françoise and Mark your teacher and hosts will welcome you to the 'Poiron'. Then you can relax, have your meal and become accustomed to your new surroundings.

Tuesday: 08.30 - 09.00; Breakfast; 09.00 - 11.30; Lesson including...
Phonetics - How to sound 'French'
Basic grammar - How to form a sentence and vocabulary
Listening and Comprehension; 12.00 - 14.00; Lunch Break
Long and relaxing as the French like them!; 14.00 - 16.00; Back in the classroom or Banking with local manager, Thierry Bouilland
Learn about French banking and setting up an account.
Ask as many questions as you like! Thierry is happy to speak English or French.
(Tip - Prepare a list of questions / problems you may have prior to your course); 16.00 - 18.00; Visit to ' Nieul Abbaye' with Dominique, who unfortunately for you cannot speak a word of English. (Practise on her she loves it!); 19.30 -; Dinner and Freetime

Wednesday: 08.30 - 09.00; Breakfast; 09.00 - 11.30; Question time on the previous day's experience. Lesson including:
Grammar - The 'féminin' and ' masculin' and 'How to know??'
The nouns (The whats...)
The verbs (The doings...); 12.00 - 14.00; Lunch as the French like them!; 14.00 - 15.00; Back in the classroom for more vocab (or meeting with Linda - Estate agent); 15.00 - 16.30; Cooking with Madeleine or Marie Paul ... Both of whom were born and bred in France and, like Dominique, have no English knowledge at all! They will try to teach you a couple of French recipes. Please try not to give the team food poisoning when sharing your culinary delights during the evening meal!; 17.00 - 18.00; Back to the classroom; 19.30 -; Dinner

Thursday: 08.30 - 09.00; Breakfast; 09.00 -; Depart for Niort Market
Here you will be asked to fulfil some major tasks as directed by Françoise.
Such as, asking for snails by the dozen or strings of garlic!
An enjoyable listening and understanding exercise with a difference.; 12.00 - 14.00; Break as the French like them but with a difference today
You will eat out en route from the market; 14.00 - 16.00; Back in the classroom or Alain Delbove will talk to you about insurance for houses, cars and more. Again do ask questions Alain is quite comfortable speaking English.; 16.00 - 18.00; Tea with ex-pats
Exchange information and ideas with English people that have made the move already! Discuss their experiences.; 19.30 -; Dinner

Friday: 08.30 - 09.00; Breakfast; 09.00 - 11.30; More classroom work!; 12.00 - 14.00; Lunch as the French like them!; 14.00 - 16.00; Classroom again!
This is the time to go over subjects that you have not fully understood or questions that need answering.; 16.00 - 18.00; Finally! Back in the classroom for more nouns, verbs (past, present and future tenses), more vocab and listening/ understanding.; 19.30 -; Dinner

Saturday: 10.00 -; Departure and Goodbye!