Live the real French experience…
Our « French Culture and Language Immersion Programme »
affords you the opportunity to experience a fabulous combination of personal development, language acquisition, cultural appreciation and networking opportunities – not forgetting gastronomic excellence: this is France after all!
We find this experience a real platform for success, which is why it has now become an important date in our yearly calendar.
“Studies show that, while there are many effective methods of language acquisition only immersion training leads to full native-like brain processing of linguistic elements like grammar.
Our immersion programme is suitable for any level of language proficiency and is a real platform for success, which is why it has become an important part of our annual calendar.”
Nathalie Danon, Academy Director
Learning while enjoying yourself!
21 September – 25 September 2020
French Culture & Language Immersion Programme
Day 1 : “La Capitale : Grenoble”
Fly to Lyon early in the morning
Drive to Grenoble (1 hour)
Visit of Grenoble: cable car to the “Bastille” fort with the most amazing view on the mountains (snack there), historical centre, unique street art.
6.30pm: Arrival at Hotel Spa “Château de la Commanderie”
8pm: Dinner at a local restaurant
Day 2 : “Au Coeur des Montagnes : La Chartreuse”
9am – 9.45am: French lesson
Morning: Hiking: “Le Charmant Som”
Lunch in a mountain restaurant (mountain salad or famous “fondue”)
Afternoon : Drive to “Le Monastère de la Grande Chartreuse » – Visit or walk above the monastery to discover a splendid view
Dinner at the hotel restaurant
Day 3 : « Gastronomie : Voiron »
Visit of “Les caves de la Chartreuse” (French liqueur made by the Chartreuse monks since 1737)
Lunch at a French Brasserie
Visit of a typical French “Chocolaterie”, Bonnat, whose chocolate has been elected “best chocolate in the world” in 2016
Visit of a goat farm in “Charavines” and goat cheese tasting
“Goûter” in Chirens and French lesson there.
Dinner at a local restaurant
Day 4 : “Histoire : aux origines de la Révolution française »
9am – 9.45am: French lesson
Morning: Walk along the “Lac du Monteynard” – Amazing view.
Picnic
Afternoon: Château de Vizille, including a museum of the French revolution, and its magnificent gardens.
“Apéritif dinatoire franco-anglais”
Day 5 : « A la carte ! »
Spa at the hotel
or shopping in town (Galeries Lafayette for example)
or visit of the “Musée de Grenoble” (ancient, modern and contemporary art from the 13th to the 20th century)
Back to the UK!
We will aim to be back in Newbury at around 8pm
Our next trip will be to The Dauphiné region (take a look!)
The Dauphiné region
Discover this famous ancient province where the first sons of Kings used to rule… A unique destination, filled with breathtaking views of the mountains and warm and welcoming people proud of their culture and heritage.
The 5-day residential trip includes:
History: where the French revolution started
Nature: majestic and impressive mountains and lakes
Gastronomy: from “ravioles”, “chartreuse” to the best chocolate in the world, be ready to savour all that the region has to offer
Arts: unique street art in Grenoble
Free French lessons
A sumptuous spa hotel in a historical castle
Take a look at a few more photos, click to slide them
Teresa & Sally in the
Champagne region!
Their impression of their immersion programme…
Save Your Place
Your experience matters
We have been running residential programmes for both children and adults for 8 years now, and we know that an important part of their success it to keep them exclusive. For this reason, this year we are only inviting 16 participants on our bespoke Dauphiné immersion programme.
Places are booking up fast, so talk to an advisor now to make sure you’re on the list!
Kind Words
From our students who have experienced our residential stays:
Andrew Pengelly
“I’ve just been on an excellent VICI Immersion Week in France and thoroughly enjoyed it.
The programme was skillfully constructed to be fun as well as instructive. It’s often a struggle learning a second language as an adult but this week was a big leap forward for me.
I’d strongly recommend it.”
Sally Laird
“My French is in the elementary stages and my determination to improve prompted my decision to join the Vici Academy French Immersion Trip. The course was outstandingly organised.
The trip was action packed with local attractions, gastronomic experiences and, importantly, French learning. This all constituted to a total immersion course of the highest standard. I have returned, after the week, feeling exceptionally lucky to have taken part.
Thank you, Vici Academy.”
Penny Rawle
“It was an excellent trip! The dedication, enthusiasm and planning of the team made it a totally unique learning experience… By the last day, I felt almost like a local, chatting to the shopkeeper, rather than just pointing and muttering “deux baguettes et cinq croissants, s.v.p.” as I would have done before the trip.
I would definitely recommend this immersion programme to others, it was totally what I had hoped for and it more than met my expectations.
Well done Vici.”
What’s the next step?