Françoise – French Immersion in Paris

Your teacher

My name is Françoise. I am a native French speaker, fluent in English, and I hold a teaching degree from the Sorbonne. For many years, I have combined my love of languages, travel, and cultural exchange through teaching French to students from around the world.
My teaching journey began in New Orleans, where I taught French to students from many different backgrounds. A few years later, I moved to Indonesia, where I continued teaching while exploring Asia and discovering new cultures. These experiences taught me how important it is to adapt lessons to each student’s needs, personality, and goals.
When I returned to Paris, I worked with several respected language schools, including Institut Catholique, Campus Langues, Cartus, and Élysées Langues. I taught both private students and groups, helping learners of all levels gain confidence in French. Over the years, I developed teaching methods that went beyond traditional classroom learning and focused on practical communication and real-life situations.
This experience inspired me to create Vivre en Français, a program designed for international women living in Paris who wanted to improve their French quickly while feeling more comfortable and independent in their new environment.
My approach has always been based on learning through experience. Rather than focusing only on grammar exercises, students practice French in everyday situations, meet native speakers, and discover Paris while using the language naturally. This practical immersion helps students gain confidence much faster and makes learning both effective and enjoyable.
As more students became interested in experiencing French life firsthand, my teaching naturally evolved into welcoming learners into my home through immersion homestay programs. Living with a French host offers a unique opportunity to hear, speak, and understand the language throughout the day while experiencing the culture from the inside.
After many years of teaching, I remain convinced that immersion is one of the most rewarding and effective ways to learn a language. It allows students not only to improve their French but also to gain a deeper understanding of French culture, customs, and daily life.
I would be delighted to welcome you, share my love of Paris and the French language, and help you build the confidence to communicate naturally in French.
I invite you to read the testimonials from former students and discover how their immersion experience helped them progress while creating lasting memories in Paris.

Teaching style

Once your homestay is confirmed, I will send you a small questionnaire so that I can assess your level and better understand your interests and goals. Based on this, I will design a personalized schedule for you, and we can discuss how you would like to spend your free time. Whether you are interested in museums, theatre, guided tours, or other cultural activities, I will be happy to suggest and help you plan ahead.

Each lesson is fully adapted to your individual needs and learning style. Everyone learns differently, so I adjust my teaching approach to help you progress as efficiently and comfortably as possible.

Living with me means full immersion in Parisian life. You will meet local people, including friends of mine, and experience authentic daily interactions. This environment will naturally help you build confidence and improve your spoken French in real-life situations.

As we speak, I take note of your mistakes so we can review and focus on specific grammar points together the next day. You will also learn idiomatic expressions and expand your vocabulary through engaging conversations on a wide range of topics, such as culture, travel, food, media, and more always tailored to your interests or professional needs.

If you wish, I can provide homework to help you consolidate what you’ve learned and continue progressing between lessons.

We will regularly work with audio materials, including songs and real-life conversations, so you become familiar with different accents, rhythms, and ways of speaking.

Learning doesn’t stop when the lesson ends. Whether we are sharing a meal, exploring the city, or going on an excursion, I will continue to guide and gently correct you, helping you improve naturally throughout the day.

Levels taught

We will spend a week together, speaking French most of the time so I recommend that students have prior knowledge of French (B1 minimum) before they come to Paris.

During your homestay, you will be staying in my apartment. It is a typical Parisian flat located in a traditional Haussmann-style building, complete with a wraparound balcony. While it is not very large, it is perfectly suited for two people : you and me!

Please note that the apartment is on the fifth floor and there is no elevator, but most people find they get used to the stairs very quickly.

The apartment includes a small kitchen, two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a spacious, sunny living room with large windows offering a wonderful view over the Parisian rooftops.

There are wooden floors throughout, large French windows, and each room is tastefully furnished with a mix of antique and modern pieces to ensure both charm and comfort.

Your room is small but cozy and well-equipped, featuring a desk for studying, a full-size single bed with a bedside table, a large chest of drawers, and an armoire.

You will also enjoy a large window with an open view over the rooftops, as well as access to the wraparound balcony, an experience that couldn’t be more Parisian!

All breakfasts are included. We will also share three lunches and three dinners together: on the day of your arrival and on the days of the excursions.
I enjoy cooking, and good food is very important to me. I shop at the local market, and you are welcome to accompany me if you wish.
Please don’t hesitate to let me know your preferences, dislikes, or any allergies. I will happily adapt the meals accordingly.
If you would like to take a cooking class during your free time, I can organize that for you.
When we are not eating together, you will have the opportunity to explore both French and international cuisine in the Batignolles neighborhood.
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I have been living in the Batignolles Village since 1991, and after all these years, I still love calling it home. Located between Montmartre and the Champs Élysées, it is one of those Paris neighborhoods that many tourists never discover. It offers a more authentic glimpse of everyday Parisian life.

Over the years, Batignolles has changed quite a bit. It has become one of the city’s most sought after neighborhoods, attracting a younger population and a lively mix of cafés, restaurants, boutiques, markets, and cultural spaces. Yet despite its popularity, it has managed to keep its warm and welcoming village spirit.

Batignolles has a fascinating history. Until the nineteenth century, it was a separate village outside Paris. After becoming part of the city in 1860, it quickly developed into a meeting place for artists and writers. Famous painters and writers such as Verlaine, Renoir, Degas, and Cézanne spent time in the local cafés, while the writer Émile Zola lived just a few streets from where I live today. Later, celebrated French singers Jacques Brel and Barbara also made their homes in the neighborhood.

One of the things I enjoy most about Batignolles is that it still feels like a village. Along Rue des Batignolles, the neighborhood’s main street, you’ll find friendly shopkeepers, traditional bakeries, specialty food stores, and inviting cafés where locals gather throughout the day.

At the end of the street stands the Church of Batignolles, a beautiful and peaceful place that is well worth a visit. Nearby, Place Félix Lobligeois is always full of life. Children play under the trees while parents and friends meet for coffee on the surrounding terraces. It is a wonderful place to sit and watch daily life unfold.

Just behind the church is Square des Batignolles, one of the most charming parks in Paris. Created in 1862, this English style garden offers winding paths, small ponds with ducks and swans, large lawns, and plenty of shady benches. Students often enjoy spending time here, whether reading, studying, meeting friends, or simply taking a break from the busy city.

As you leave the park, you may even come across local residents playing pétanque, a traditional French pastime that feels wonderfully out of place in the middle of Paris. Moments like these are part of what makes Batignolles so special.

The neighborhood is also home to an excellent open air market where I buy fresh fish, fruits, vegetables, flowers, and other local products. It is a great place to experience French food culture and discover the rhythms of everyday life in Paris.

For students who want to explore a side of Paris beyond the famous monuments, Batignolles offers something unique. It combines history, culture, green spaces, and genuine local life in a way that few neighborhoods can. I would be delighted to help you discover this special corner of Paris and share with you the places that have made me love living here for more than thirty years.

You will experience Paris like never before as I take you to some of the hidden gems this city has to offer all while explaining its history. You will see the real Paris off the beaten path.

Getting there

Most of my students take a taxi from the airport or the train station.

Things to know

Because I share my bathroom with my guests, I’m pleased to offer an immersion experience for male students; however, alternative accommodation will be required. You may stay with a friend who hosts an Airbnb on my street or choose a nearby hotel.
This program includes:

Either 2 hours of French lessons or an authentic Parisian outing with French conversation practice

Lunch or dinner with me

Payment method

Wise