If there was one theme that ran through everything, it was this:
The passion of the people we met.
It was everywhere.
Impossible to miss.
Contagious, even.
We saw it in the winemaker at the dégustation de vin, describing terroir with love you could hear in his voice.
In the Michelin chef who had set up an affordable pop up restaurant down a secret alleyway during La Feria to Nimes.
In the market stallholders who didn’t just sell, but invited us in—explaining, gesturing, teasing. Like the olive oil vendor who explained how each pressing of the olives makes a difference to the final product we drizzle on our salad.
In the driver of the petit train at the salt flats who narrated with real pride in his region.
In the commentator on the boat in Lyon, whose humour kept us all listening, even when we were very, very warm in the Lyon heat!
In the locals singing their hearts out in le bouchon while we joined in, stumbling but laughing.
Everywhere, passion.
For food.
For place.
For craft.
For conversation.
For life.
That was the France we met.
And I think it’s the France people come for—even if they don’t always find it.
“I had the best meal I’ve had in France—even though I’ve been here a month and only spent a day with you.
One person took me to one side and told me that after our first full day.
She’d clocked over 22,000 steps on her watch!
All of them in French.
And that included a lot of dancing as we wandered through squares filled with music, watched a flamenco concert and tried to join in! And danced in the back streets with the locals.
We moved.
We explored.
We danced.
We spoke and laughed!
That wasn’t part of my original promise for the trip but it became her experience, and memories were made, that I think none of us will forget.
I watched another student who’d signed up as a Level 3.
She was surrounded by Level 4–6 speakers.
She could have been quiet.
Let others lead.
Dropped back into English at dinner.
But she didn’t.
She spoke from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., every day.
Asked questions.
Worked on constructions I’d given her.
Accepted corrections.
Kept going.
“This is exactly what I’ve been lacking. I need this practice—and it’s great to know what to work on with gentle correction.”
That’s what I love about this kind of trip.
Not perfection.
But passion.
The kind that doesn’t hide from being seen trying
It struck us all at some point on this trip, that we were glad that we had agreed the itinerary and booked all our activities well-ahead.
It was an organised holiday as well as being a learning trip.
But a holiday the way the French do it.
We took local trains and buses.
Ate "aux bonnes adresses"—not the ones with big menus in English, but the ones where the owner comes to the table.
We shared jokes with the driver, met winemakers, talked with chefs.
We joined in singing in le bouchon.
We shared tables with locals and heard stories we hadn’t planned for.
We celebrated someone’s 94th birthday.
We laughed at comments about trusting doctors (with three medical professionals at our own table!).
These weren’t scheduled “experiences.” but the trip was properly scheduled in advance.
So we could relax and stay in the conversation.
Be willing to be a little lost, and a little brave.
Immersing ourselves in the experience.
That’s what made this different from the immersions some had tried before.
We stayed in French the WHOL:E time!
Not because I enforced it like a school rule.
But because everyone chose to keep going.
From the first coffee to the last glass of wine.
From ordering at the market to late-night debates.
It wasn’t always fluent.
It wasn’t always easy.
It was always real.
That’s what immersion is.
No escape hatches.
But no pretending either.
Of course, it wasn’t just the places that made this work.
It was the people.
Martyn, who has this quiet genius for capturing the moment in a photo or video so we’ll always remember what it really felt like.
Nadja, with her bag full of small kindnesses: chargers, sweets, anti-bac, hand cream, things to cool us down when the heat got to us.
The positive smiles and encouragement, the patience, the openness to the unknown and a great ability to keep going however hot the sun was!
Those details sound small.
But they’re the difference between a group of learners and a group of friends.
I could tell you what I think all day.
But it’s better in their words:
“The night out we did was a really good night out.”
“I loved it so much I want to book straight away for next year.”
“This is exactly what I’ve been lacking.”
“We've discovered secret parts of Lyon that we would never have found on our own"
"That was the best meal I had in France!"
"I tried foods I'd have never have tried before. I especially loved that St Marcelin cheese!"
"My favourite was le bouchon!"
"I've never been to a wine-tasting before.It's not my last!"If you’ve read this far, maybe there’s something in you that’s curious.
So let me ask:
✨ When was the last time you did something that asked you to be brave?
✨ What would it mean if you trusted yourself to speak—even with mistakes?
✨ How long have you been saying “one day I’ll do it properly”?
✨ What would it feel like to sit at a French table and be part of the conversation—not just a polite observer?
✨ If you really want this—what’s stopping you?
Next year, we’re going back.
But this time in July, when Nîmes hosts Les Jeudis de Nîmes.
Gentler than the Feria.
Lively but sophisticated.
Evenings filled with music, conversation, and that southern French warmth that makes you linger over your glass just a little longer.
We’ll visit markets.
Meet artisans.
Share meals that don’t come from guidebooks.
And starting in January 2026, we’ll have live prep sessions so that by the time you arrive, you’re not just ready to see France.
You’re ready to be in it.
This isn’t a big bus tour.
Or a classroom with 20 students.
It’s deliberately small.
Just 8 places.
Enough that no one can hide.
But everyone can be seen.
If you’re thinking “this is exactly what I’ve been looking for,” you’re not the only one.
Your deposit isn’t just a payment.
It’s you saying:
✅ I’m ready to do this.
✅ I want the prep, not just the trip.
✅ I want to belong in the language, not just visit it.
👉 Pay Your Deposit and Secure your Place for 2026 Here
Because its brilliant to do more than lessons.
You’re right to want experience. Connection. Real fluency.
If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t just want to see France but wants to take part—this is your invitation.
Because sometimes the most important thing you can do is simply show up.
And show up with passion.
