French language courses on the Côte d’Azur - Nice, Antibes and Monte Carlo

Nice

The largest of the cities on the Côte d’Azur, Nice enjoys a reputation as one of France’s most glamorous and up-market destinations. Due to its location next to the sea and sheltered by mountains and hills, it also has a near perfect climate, with mild winters and warm summers.

As the undisputed capital of the French Riviera, Nice is a very lively city, with festivals and cultural events running all year round. It is also home to some 19 museums and galleries and 32 classified historical monuments.

Nice is a city that has something for everyone, whether you want to wander the markets and cobbled alleyways of the old town, hit the shopping districts of the new town, lie on the beach and swim in the piercing blue sea, or sit in a cafe and watch the world go by. It can be crowded in the summer, and is less forgiving on the wallet than some of the other towns on the Riviera, but if you like the buzz of a big city this is definitely the place for you.

There are two schools in Nice, which between them offer General, Individual, Combined, Intensive, Business, Exam Preparation, Young at Heart, Juniors, Home Language and Language and Cookery French courses. Accommodation choices include host family, private apartment and residence.

Antibes

Situated to the east of Nice and the west of Cannes, Antibes is a traditional and attractive resort town. It’s famous, amongst other things, for its Provençal market, narrow shopping streets and its medieval castle.  .

To the West, Antibes adjoins the modern town of Juan les Pins, well-known for its colourful bistros, fashionable pubs, and of course its prestigious Jazz festival – reputedly the oldest in France.

Antibes is a great study destination for anyone wanting to enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and sparkling waters of the Mediterranean without the crowds. It’s smaller and less busy than Nice, and has more in the way of culture than Monte Carlo. It is home to an array of museums, including the Picasso Museum, Archaeological Museum, Peynet Museum, Napoleonic Museum and Fort Carré Museum, and offers plenty in the way of exhibitions and events too.

The school in Antibes offers General, Individual, Combined, Intensive, Business and Juniors courses at a variety of levels, and provides a range of host-family and residence accommodation options. 

Monte Carlo

Nestled between Nice and the Italian border, Monte Carlo represents the ultimate in luxury and affluence. The principality’s most famous features include its annual motor racing Grand Prix, its high-end casinos where the millionaires of the world converge, and the Royal Family, the Grimaldis, who forever adorn the pages of Europe’s glossy magazines. 

A trip to Monte Carlo is only 20 minutes on the train from Nice, but the two places are different in terms of who they cater for and what they offer. Monte Carlo is actually a relatively small place with a limited amount of entertainment options, unless your average yearly income pushes into six figures. It does have some nice bars and cafes, but is generally quieter than the French cities along the Riviera. A great option for anyone after some peace and quiet in a nice climate, and clean, attractive surroundings.

The school in Antibes offers Individual and Mini-Group French courses, and host family accommodation options.

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