10 great reasons to learn French in Chamonix

Below are ten of the best reasons to choose Chamonix as your French course destination…

1. You can ski in winter or walk/bike in summer.

Taking a language course abroad doesn’t solely have to be about sitting in a classroom. Students who take a General course are likely to have either the morning or afternoon free each day, which means there is plenty of time to explore the area, or to enjoy some sporting pursuits. Chamonix is a very popular winter ski resort but is also great for walking, biking and climbing in the summer.

2. It’s beautiful.

As you might expect from any world-famous ski resort, Chamonix’s Alpine setting makes for some pretty spectacular scenery. The town itself is very pretty too though, with attractive chalet-type houses and lots of well kept parks and shopping areas.

3. It has good nightlife and lots of nice restaurants.

Chamonix is one of the larger ski resorts in the French Alps and as such has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment. It has a very lively atmosphere during the winter and summer seasons, with plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy outside of lessons.

4. It’s compact and easy to get around.

One of the really nice things about Chamonix is that it’s large enough to have a good range of entertainment venues and shops, but small enough that you don’t need to rely on public transport to get around. All accommodation arranged via the school in Chamonix is within walking distance of the school.

5. There’s a great range of activities on offer.

Whilst some students choose to go skiing, biking or hiking independently in their free time, others take advantage of the huge range of activities that are organised by the school. Some of the activities that are offered include ski trips to Courmayeur in Italy, avalanche and glacier rescue courses, wine tastings, fondue and raclette evenings as well as French film nights. The school also offers daily yoga- & pilates classes at the school in the evenings.

6. The school offers a modern learning environment with great facilities.

The school in Chamonix was recently renovated and as such has bright and modern classrooms, a well-kept reception and lounge area, free wifi, coffees, teas and snacks. It enjoys a really central location and is only a 5 minute walk from a range of cafes and restaurants.

7. It’s easy to reach.

As a popular ski resort, Chamonix is well-served by public transport. Regular buses arrive in Chamonix from international airports like Geneva, and there is also a train station in the town centre. There are regular trains to other towns and villages up and down the mountain, including St Gervais Les Bains, where you can get trains to both Lyon and Geneva.

8. The school has a good nationality mix.

The school in Chamonix is a popular centre and attracts students from all over the world. Having a mix of student nationalities means that it’s imperative for everyone to communicate in French, and more practice means more progress.

9. Students can experience the unique Savoie culture

Although Chamonix is in France, its location in the mountains and close to both Switzerland and Italy gives it a very different feel to more ‘quintessentially French’ areas of the country. Studying in Chamonix, you’ll learn lots about this unique area of France, and the very different way of life that the people who live there have. This part of France has a different history, different cuisine and different culture to explore…and you won’t be disappointed. 

10. It’s a safe and up-market study location.

Although Chamonix may not have the big city lights of places such as Paris, Nice and Lyon, this is not always a bad thing. Anyone who enjoys a more laid-back existence in safe, up-market and picturesque surroundings will be really enjoy studying in Chamonix…

For more information on French courses in Chamonix, or to book, please visit the Cactus Language website.

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