Soline – French Immersion in Volvic, green heart of France

Teaching style

Every morning, we’ll learn with joy for effective and long-lasting results.

💬 French conversation on all topics—there’s no limit to how much we can discuss!

🎯 Focused French grammar and vocabulary

📚 Preparation for official exams: DELF, DALF, A-Level French, and French for specific purposes

😆 Fun French lessons for children… and adults too, of course!

Your expectations and needs will be my priority, always in a warm and relaxed atmosphere.

🗣️ The main idea of this immersion is to practise oral communication as much as possible to build your self-confidence and make you feel more comfortable speaking French.

So much so that you’ll forget you’re speaking French!

⭐️ You can find many testimonials on my website. They might inspire your own journey of learning French with me.

Levels taught

In my opinion, a French immersion stay will be fully beneficial as long as the student already has some basic language skills to put into practice.

That said, I’ve had beginners who wanted to take advantage of a more tourist-oriented stay to explore the region, the stunning natural environment of the Chaîne des Puys, the local gastronomy... with whom we often communicated more in English outside of the morning classes.

The choice is yours!
No matter your level, I will adapt to your needs and interests ☺️

🏡 You will be staying in a very comfortable, authentic, semi-detached stone house (80m²), featuring two bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom.
The warm and spacious living room opens onto a south-facing terrace overlooking the gardens. The kitchen is fully equipped, allowing you to prepare meals for when you're dining at home. This accommodation is also ideal for longer stays.

The building was originally an old barn attached to our house. It was converted in the 1980s, and we acquired it 7 years ago, completely renovating it while respecting the original structure and the environment.

🌳 The surroundings are very quiet, as the house is located in a cul-de-sac. You won’t hear any traffic, making it an ideal place to unwind and also to learn in a peaceful setting. Weather permitting, we can, of course, enjoy the terrace!

Your private house is located right in the heart of the village.
🥐 Shops are just a short walk away (3 to 5 minutes), including two bakeries, a butcher, a mini-market, an organic produce store, a brasserie, a restaurant, a tobacconist, craftsmen, and of course, a café/bar.

🚗 If you have a car, parking is easy right in front of the house.

✔️ It’s also possible to extend your stay in this peaceful and very comfortable house!
More details can be found in the “Things to Know” section below.

👨🏼‍🍳 Most of the time it's my husband Jérôme who concocts delicious authentic meals for us.
You'll have the chance to taste traditional French and local cuisine, but not only... The dishes are always made from local and seasonal produce, and everything is homemade of course!

🥬 Vegetarian option possible.

🍽️ If you'd like to share a dinner in the restaurant or lunch in the village brasserie, for a different experience, that's perfectly possible.

🌋 During your French immersion course in Volvic, you'll be located in the heart of the Auvergne region, which lies within the Massif Central.
You’ll be right at the center of the Auvergne Volcanoes Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
🌱 For nature lovers, Volvic is lucky to be surrounded by numerous hiking trails. The volcanoes and abundant natural areas offer endless opportunities to escape and explore.
By the way, have you ever visited a volcano?

⛪️ Are you interested in historical heritage? You’ll also be close to several remarkable towns, including Riom, the former capital of the Auvergne region; Clermont-Ferrand, famous for its stunning lava-stone cathedral and as the birthplace of Michelin tires; and, a little further afield, Vichy, a renowned spa town listed as one of Europe’s “great spa towns” by UNESCO.

The Auvergne region offers a wide variety of landscapes and diverse activities—there's something for everyone! Hiking, the art of enameling on lava, exploring surrounding towns with their unique characters… these are just a few of the recurring themes.

⛰️If you're a nature lover, we can hike the stunning volcanoes of the Chaîne des Puys, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll be right in the heart of the Auvergne Volcanoes National Park. If you love panoramic views, you'll be spoilt for choice! It's even possible to hike to the summit of Puy de Dôme (on foot or by funicular), the highest point in the Chaîne des Puys!

🌋 Want to learn even more about volcanoes?
We can explore a volcano deep within its core! It has been a scientific and educational site for nearly twenty years, after being used as a quarry post-World War II.

🪨 Continuing with the geological theme, you can dive into the heart of the Volvic lava flow by visiting the Grotte de la Pierre in Volvic itself! Here, you'll learn how Volvic mineral water was discovered during the exploitation of lava rock.

🖌️ One of the region's authentic local crafts is the use of lava stone to create magnificent enameled stones. I offer this workshop as part of your language immersion in Volvic. My enameling colleague, Coline, will be happy to teach you this art and guide you through one or more sessions. You’ll create your own works of art and leave with beautiful memories—both in your hands and your heart!

💡Enameling courses are available in combination with your language immersion, either over one or two weeks.

🟢 Special offer on enameling courses in September/October! 😉
For more details, visit my website (link at the bottom of the page) and feel free to contact me.

⛲️ Auvergne is also home to towns and cities with exceptional architectural heritage. Riom, the former capital of Auvergne, and Clermont-Ferrand, with its majestic Gothic cathedral made from lava stone, are prime examples. Further afield (just a 25-minute train ride away), you can explore Vichy, a spa town that flourished during the reign of Napoleon III, filled with architectural treasures and rich history.
💡 Upon request, you can enjoy a guided tour of this stunning city located along the banks of the Allier River.

🚙 Are you familiar with Michelin tires? Clermont-Ferrand is the birthplace of this iconic rubber company, which has grown into a multinational. The Michelin Adventure Museum will give you an in-depth look at the company's fascinating history and its significant impact on the city.

...and of course, these are just suggestions, but many other possibilities are available to you. Don’t hesitate to share them with me during our video call!

▶️ Please note: Entrance fees and other additional costs for guided tours or transport will be invoiced at the time of finalizing and confirming your personalized program.

▶️ You can find full details of all these excursions on my website—see the "Teacher's website" link below.

▶️ Once we’re in touch, we’ll schedule a video call to tailor your personalized stay according to your preferences.

Getting there

🚉 You can arrive at Riom-Chatelguyon station, where I will pick you up free of charge.
There are direct trains from Paris and Lyon.

Getting around

🚌 Volvic is well-connected by public transport. Regular buses run to Riom, the nearest town, and to Riom station for onward travel to places like Clermont-Ferrand or Vichy.

There's also a small station in Volvic, although it's a little out of the way and not served as frequently. A few shuttle buses are available from the village center to this station.

Things to know

🏡 The charming stone house where you'll be staying is also a gîte that welcomes holidaymakers year-round. Well-equipped and comfortable (4*), it’s a delight throughout the seasons. From spring to autumn, you can relax on the terrace—September and October are particularly pleasant in the region—or by the wood-burning stove in winter, enjoying the cozy sofas.

💡 Don’t hesitate to contact me if you'd like to extend your stay before or after your French immersion—it could be a great way to recover from your trip, for example!

Cancellation policy

A prebooking and a down payment of 50% are required to secure your reservation.
Transfer of the outstanding balance must be paid at least 30 days before the day of arrival.

⚠️ Cancellation fees in case of cancellation by you:
- More than 90 days before the start of the stay: €200 processing fee
- Between 89 and 29 days before the start of the stay: the reservation deposit is
due.
- From 29 days before the start of the course: the total amount of the course is due.

In case of cancellation - force majeure - by French in Context, the total amount of your immersion (or deposit) will be refunded.

→ Insurance of the training organization
French in Context is covered by a third-party liability insurance which also covers the part of the medical costs following an accident during the course as well as the sub-sequent treatment costs which are not reimbursed by your health insurance. This in-surance does not include the risk of theft or loss of luggage.

Payment method

💶 Transfers from outside the UE must be done via Wise.com or by bank wire from European bank accounts.

Please understand that the transfer costs are at your expense. The amount received must be the same as the one indicated on the order form.

Teacher's Website

French in Context