Miss Gwen – French immersion in beautiful countryside, Southern France
Your teacher
Bonjour !
I am Gwen ! I am known for being a dynamic and fun-loving typical French lady ! I taught English to teenagers for 20 years in France and abroad, yet I have always been fond of my own language and culture. I decided to change careers and devote myself to adults who long to experience the perfect French immersion holidays !
My husband, my son, and I live in a picturesque village near Nîmes (Le Gard, 30) and we adore our home for its stunning view. We are surrounded by friendly and helpful neighbors and we feel very lucky to live here. We’re a family who loves meeting new people and sharing our love for French culture and hear about other people's lives.
Are you ready to BE French for a week ?
From shopping in local markets to chatting with my family, friends or neighbors, every moment is crafted to make you feel like a true local. I will guide you through a unique experience filled with discovery and lively French discussions.
Every meal we share and excursion will be an opportunity to immerse yourself in authentic conversation with me and locals we meet along the way. But if you ever feel overwhelmed or tired, we can switch to English. And if your partner or friend is not willing to learn French, we can all share conversations in English, my husband and son both speak a fairly good English too !
Bear in mind that I can tailor your immersion week in order to meet your expectations and reach your goals !
So,please, feel free to contact me for more questions, I’ll be happy to answer and even book a video call so we can get to know eachother !
Teaching style
Your immersion program will be fully tailored to your needs, based on our online chat about your goals. You can choose between two different programs:
Version 1 (B1 to C2): The Cultural Program
This option is all about improving your listening and speaking skills in a fun and interactive way. Throughout the week, you’ll take part in three cultural workshops based on French movies, video clips (documentaries, TV shows, etc.), and a hands-on cooking class in French. These sessions spark natural conversations and help you feel more confident when speaking.
In total, you’ll get 10 hours of guided practice, designed not only to boost your French but also to get you used to the rhythm of real, modern spoken French. And of course, it’s a great way to immerse yourself in French culture while having a great time!
Version 2 (A1-A2 Level): The French Class Program
If you're a beginner or still finding your footing in French, this program is perfect for you! With four structured language classes (totaling 12 hours), we’ll focus on the basics you need to get by in everyday situations in France whether you're ordering at a restaurant, shopping, or meeting locals.
But don’t worry, it’s not all about grammar and exercises! I mix in games, role-playing, and fun video clips so you can get used to real, modern French in a relaxed and enjoyable way. And of course, we always keep it light and fun! 😊
Teaching methods
-
Board games in French (Taboo, etc.)
-
One-on-one conversation
-
Oral corrections from your teacher
-
Real-life simulations : ordering at a café, buying cheese at the fromagerie, etc.
Levels taught
From A1 to C2
Great for
-
Accompanied children
-
Adults
-
Family or friends traveling together
Your accommodation
We’re delighted to welcome you to our newly renovated gîte – a self-contained apartment attached to the main house.
The apartment features two double bedrooms and a bathroom. One of the bedrooms can be converted into a twin room to accommodate guests who need separate beds.
You’ll also enjoy a spacious, modern kitchen and a cosy living room, both offering the same stunning views over the mountains and vineyard as our house.
In the evenings, unwind on the terrace with a glass of local wine or fresh juice — perhaps with a little cheese to go with it!
The entire space has been thoughtfully designed and decorated to reflect the charm and authenticity you expect from a traditional French cottage, while offering all the comfort you need for a relaxing stay.
Amenities
-
Air conditioning
-
Dishwasher
-
Espresso machine
-
Free parking
-
Iron
-
Kettle
-
Microwave
-
Netflix
-
Oven
-
Private kitchen
-
Shower
-
Swimming pool
-
Toaster
-
Towels, sheets and bedding
-
TV
-
Washing machine
-
Wifi
The meals
A French experience would not be complete without sharing meals and enjoying French food !
According to your tailored program, 8 to 10 home meals are included. On your arrival night, we will share either an "apéro dînatoire" or a proper meal. During the week, you will spend a family night enjoying the meal prepared during the cooking class and possibly, a night out !
On excursion days, we prefer relaxing at a restaurant (not included).
-
Fruit and veg from a local farm
-
Homemade food
-
Meals included to be arranged according to your tailored program
-
Organic food
-
Traditional french dishes
-
Vegetarian option
The region
We live in a beautiful region… but of course, any French native would say the same!
If you love the South of France, you’ll be delighted by Nîmes and its surroundings. Nestled between the sea and the mountains, the region offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and stunning landscapes.
From the ancient Roman ruins of Nîmes to the wild beauty of the Camargue and the breathtaking Cévennes mountains, there’s something for everyone. You’ll love strolling through lively markets filled with fresh local produce, tasting regional specialties, and experiencing the warm, welcoming atmosphere of traditional French cafés and restaurants.
A true paradise for food lovers and culture enthusiasts alike!
The excursions and experiences
Be prepared ! 2 full days and one half-day of outings are included in the immersion program !
Take your pick : Roman sites in Nîmes, le Pont Du gard, picturesque villages, going shopping in an open market in Uzès, visiting le Palais des Papes in Avignon, birdwatching in La Camargue ... So many options !
Bear in mind that I can customize your program to meet your expectations or your specifics.
A wine-tasting session may be included if you are a French wine lover !
We may also stop by our local goat farm to buy goat cheese and say "hi" to the cute goats there !
Whenever possible, we will also attend an evening event wether it is a food, musical or local festival (often during summer months, July and August)
-
Canoeing, kayaking or paddleboarding
-
Cooking and baking together
-
Exploring France's most beautiful villages
-
Food markets
-
Guided nature walks
-
History, art & culture, guided visits
-
Music concert, opera night, theater play
-
Natural sites visits
-
Outdoors : hike, bike ride
-
Participation in a local festival
-
Wine cellar tour and winetasting
Getting there
Nîmes is easy to reach by TGV from Paris (around 3 hours long)
I can pick you up at the central train station on Sunday afternoon (ideally between 5pm and 8pm)
We live 20 minutes away from Nîmes - bus line to Nîmes from the village and a train from a nearby village (Fons-outre-gardon)
On departure day, you can take the bus or train to reach Nîmes.
Montpellier, Avignon, Marseille, Toulon or Carcassone, Toulouse and Bordeau are all linked by train from Nîmes.
Getting around
I will be driving you around but you may rent a car if you need more independency.
Anduze : 20 minutes drive
Uzès : 30 minutes drive
Arles, Avignon, Montpellier are an hour drive
Things to know
Feel free to ask for an even more tailored programme (adding indoor or outdoors activities for exemple)
Payment method
PAYPAL - WISE - Bank account transfer
Gwen and her family gave me a truly memorable experience of my French cultural and language immersion in the Occitania region, Southern France. In addition to her great language teaching skills, not to mention her cooking, Gwen was very informative of so much of the region including Montagnac, Nimes, Vezenobres and Uzes.
This format of teaching French in an immersive setting is to be highly commended. The comfort of the newly renovated self-contained apartment (aka gite), together with Gwen's relaxed charm and teaching method, made my French immersion experience great value for time and money.
Charles from Perth, Western Australia June 2025
I feel extremely lucky to have come across Gwen in order to spend a week in France on an immersion course. From the start I liked her vibes and sense of humour without ever feeling under pressure. Even though I have family who live in France, I wanted to find a family suitable for me to really knuckle down with the language. Who better than Gwen! She is truly passionate about sharing her knowledge of the language and local history which made my stay a really intensive and satisfying experience. I couldn’t have felt more comfortable in her beautiful country home or made to feel as welcome by her truly lovely family (and adorable golden retriever!). The programme Gwen concocted for me entailed of two unique workshops which I enjoyed tremendously, a visit to the traditional village of Vezenobre and various outings to historical sites including Aigue-Mortes and the ornithological park in the Camargue to discover the flamingos up close, not to mention the fantastic traditional French lunches and relaxing soirees with the family. I have to thank Gwen and her family again for their generous hospitality and patience with me throughout the week with me persevering to speak the language! They were all prepared to help me and guide me with my faux pas with humour and encouragement. For me, without a doubt, it was definitely the best choice that I could have made.
Faith
Rhodes, Greece
I had a wonderful week staying and learning with Gwen. She's a patient teacher who easily adjusts to your level of français and I especially loved her method, organization and teaching style. I was most interested in speaking as much as possible and throughout the entire time, I don't think we ever ran out of things to talk about (all in français, bien sûr). Gwen has a keen ear for mistakes I consistently made (from bad habits, mostly) and tuned into them to help me correct them throughout the week. The apartment in her home is clean and fresh and very quiet - and it has magnificent views of the Gard countryside. I also enjoyed our excursions which were tailored to my interests. Gwen was very knowledgable of the history and culture of the area, and so I learned a lot more than the average tourist would. Come on, you know you want to - don't be shy! Immerse yourself in the language and culture that is southern France with Miss Gwen