Nestled between the Rhône River and the hills of the Ardèche, Tournon-sur-Rhône is one of the oldest medieval towns in the region. Its highlights include:
The Castle of Tournon, overlooking the river
A charming historic center with cafés, boutiques, and weekly markets
Riverside promenades ideal for relaxation
Tain-l'Hermitage
Just across the footbridge lies Tain-l'Hermitage, world-renowned for its wines and chocolate culture. Visitors enjoy:
The prestigious Hermitage vineyards with exceptional viewpoints
The famous Cité du Chocolat Valrhona
Wine cellars, local shops, and gourmet stops
Together, Tournon and Tain offer the perfect blend of heritage, nature, gastronomy, and tranquility, creating an ideal environment for French language learning. These small towns provide the perfect setting for learners to truly immerse themselves in French, with easy access to Lyon, charming stone villages, rivers, and mountains.
Program
Program
Time
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
8:30-9:00
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast buffet
Included: Full day excursion
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast buffet
9:00-12:00
French lesson
French lesson
French lesson
French lesson
Departure before 11 am
12:00-13:30
Lunch with teacher
Lunch with teacher
Lunch with teacher
Lunch with teacher
Afternoon
Arrival from 3pm Welcome drink (apéro time)
Excursion or free time
Excursion or free time
Excursion or free time
Excursion or free time
Sunday
AfternoonArrival from 3pm Welcome drink (apéro time)
Monday
8:30-9:00Breakfast buffet
9:00-12:00French lesson
12:00-13:30Lunch with teacher
AfternoonExcursion or free time
Tuesday
8:30-9:00Breakfast buffet
9:00-12:00French lesson
12:00-13:30Lunch with teacher
AfternoonExcursion or free time
Wednesday
8:30-9:00Breakfast buffet
9:00-12:00French lesson
12:00-13:30Lunch with teacher
AfternoonExcursion or free time
Thursday
Included: Full day excursion
Friday
8:30-9:00Breakfast buffet
9:00-12:00French lesson
12:00-13:30Lunch with teacher
AfternoonExcursion or free time
Saturday
8:30-9:00Breakfast buffet
9:00-12:00Departure before 11 am
Your stay
Stay in a charming historic 4-star hotel
18th-century heritage building
Garden and pool overlooking the historical center
Private suite for each student with an en-suite bathroom
A few steps from local shops and restaurants
Excursions
One full-day excursion is included, and à-la-carte half-day excursions are available. All excursions are guided by your teacher and conducted entirely in French.
Included in the immersion
Lyon: capital of gastronomy
Full day (with teacher)
Explore the secret traboules and the majestic architecture of France's culinary heart.
Take the train to Lyon in the morning
Explore Old Lyon, wandering through hidden traboules and visiting the Fourvière Basilica
Enjoy a meal in an authentic bouchon lyonnais for a full culinary immersion
End the day with shopping in Lyon's charming streets and boutiques
Vercors — Choranche cave and hike
Full day (with teacher)
Dramatic limestone cliffs, an underground river, and alpine meadows above the valley.
Explore the Grotte de Choranche, a stunning limestone cave with underground rivers and stalactites
Hike through the Vercors Mountains
Discover charming villages along the way
Cité du Chocolat Valrhona
Half day (without teacher)
A gourmet immersion into the world of artisan chocolate in Tain-l'Hermitage.
Explore interactive exhibits
Taste a variety of chocolates
Learn about the art of chocolate creation
Enjoy a hands-on pastry workshop led by a professional chef
Le Train de l'Ardèche
Half day (with teacher)
A nostalgic journey through the Gorges du Doux aboard a vintage steam train.
Ride the Mastrou, a historic steam train, through the stunning Gorges du Doux in the Ardèche
Cross stone viaducts and picturesque countryside
Discover one of the largest farmers' markets in the area
Enjoy a pleasant stroll through the streets of Lamastre and along the river
Relax with a riverside picnic featuring local gourmet products
Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval
Half day (with teacher)
A surreal masterpiece of naive architecture, built stone by stone by one man.
Visit this one-of-a-kind architectural masterpiece built by a single postman over 33 years
Explore the fantastical sculptures and intricate stonework that combine imagination, art, and nature
Learn about the life and vision of Facteur Cheval, whose dedication turned a simple dream into a national treasure
Hermitage wine tasting
Half day (with teacher)
An exclusive encounter with the world-renowned vintages of the Rhône Valley.
Guided walk through the Hermitage vineyards with stunning Rhône views
Wine tasting in one of the local wine cellars
*For group immersions, Lyon is the default excursion; however, the Vercors can be chosen if the entire group agrees
**Except for the "Valrhona and pastry workshop", which is not accompanied by your teacher
Rates
Two ways to spend the week. Both include the hotel, every breakfast and lunch, your lessons and one full-day guided excursion.
