Soline, Nicole and Fiona welcome you to the South-West Region

Soline, Nicole, and Fiona welcome you to your total immersion French language stay in the Lot (South-West France). Soline will be your French coach, Nicole and Soline will be your tour and cultural guides, and Fiona will be your host and chef.
So many different opportunities to practice your French! 😉

Your teacher

Hi! I’m Soline, I help learners unlock their spoken French through real conversations, shared moments, and cultural immersion.

French native and a graduated French teacher trained at the Alliance Française in Paris, with over 25 years of experience teaching French in the UK, Denmark, Flemish Belgium, and now France, I’ve had the pleasure of working with learners of all ages, backgrounds, and levels.

Before being a French teacher, I am first and foremost a passionate learner of languages and cultures.
Living abroad and studying local languages taught me how essential context and immersion are for real language acquisition.
I’m also the proud mother of two teenagers, aged 16 and 18. Watching them grow and evolve is one of my greatest joys.
Always curious and creative, I enjoy working on projects that motivate me and nurture my passion for teaching and cultural exchange.

Check out our other Immersion Program In Volvic, Green heart of France

Teaching style

My students often say that I don’t simply “teach” French — I share it, bringing it to life in a way that feels natural, engaging, and meaningful.
My teaching style is hands-on, communicative, and deeply people-oriented: for me, teaching French is about building connection, sharing culture, and making the language truly come alive.
I teach individuals and groups—within companies, associations, and private settings—and I specialize in exam preparation, tailored language training, and specific professional needs.

Your expectations and needs will be my priority including:

🗣️ Engaging conversations in French

🎯 Targeted grammatical and lexical French

🎓 Preparation for official exams (DELF, DALF, TCF...)

🇫🇷 Preparation for Civic Exam (for applying for a Resident Card or Multi-Year Residence Permit)

...all in a fun 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.

I am looking forward to helping you achieve your goals.
We will practise every day for effective and longer-lasting results.

👉🏽 To learn more about my teaching approach, you can check out my reviews on “Soline – French Immersion in Volvic, green heart of France.” >>> See link above 👆🏼

Levels taught

For an optimal experience, I recommend a minimum intermediate level of language proficiency.
That said, this stay is 100% customizable, so this language immersion stay can be adapted to any level. Nicole and Fiona are native English speakers and will be happy to help you if needed, and I myself speak English fluently, so I will have no problem switching languages if necessary.

The cottage is one half of a converted tobacco barn that was, in a previous life, a stone-built farm-workers cottage. It has a tranquil, private terrace with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.

It has a lovely traditional feel with a large open-plan kitchen/dining/living room on the ground floor and separate downstairs loo with washbasin. Upstairs is a large landing area (with its special goat-viewing window!), a spacious double bedroom (with a super-king size bed), a twin room and a bunk-bed room with a cot. The bathroom has a bath with a shower, a loo, a washbasin and a heated towel rail. Bed linen, towels (including pool towels) and hair dryers are provided.

In the kitchen, in addition to the normal adult and children's cutlery, glassware and crockery, there is a dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, toaster, kettle, coffee machine, large fridge/freezer, mixer, electric hob and oven and an ironing board and iron.

There is also high speed internet and a wireless speaker and the cottage has a wood burner and electric heating for chilly evenings.

Outside is the large private terrace with discreet lighting, comfortable dining furniture and a barbecue - the perfect spot for a relaxing supper, or to do your homework, on a balmy evening!

Lunch is served on the terrace, weather permitting, or in the traditional farmhouse kitchen, with delicious, imaginative, homemade meals from seasonal, local products.

Lunch will normally comprise a light starter and main course, with French cheeses, homemade chutneys and fruit for dessert, with local wines included.

All dietary requirements can be accommodated with prior notice.

The Lot department, in southwestern France, is a beautiful, rural region shaped by valleys carved by the Lot, Dordogne, and Célé rivers. Covered with vineyards, orchards, wooded slopes, and charming stone villages these valleys are perfect for exploring nature by foot with it's numerous walking paths.

At the heart of the department lies Cahors, its principal town, set within a dramatic bend of the River Lot. Cahors is best known for the Pont Valentré, a fortified medieval bridge that reflects the town’s historic importance as a center of trade and religion. Offering shaded streets, bustling markets, and spectacular river views.

The Lot enjoys a generally mild climate, with hot, dry summers and cool but rarely severe winters.The region is renowned for Cahors Malbec wine, black truffles, walnuts, goat cheeses, duck, and simple, robust dishes that reflect the land. And here, we say une chocolatine s'il vous plaît 🙂

You will have the opportunity to discover the highlights of Cahors and explore a wide range of regional specialties, from local cheeses and walnuts to seasonal produce and Cahors wine. The market has a welcoming atmosphere that reflects the character of this historic riverside town, with its rich heritage and relaxed pace of life.

On another day, a visit to the Zadkine Museum in Les Arques will offer a calm and reflective cultural escape. Dedicated to the sculptor Ossip Zadkine, the museum presents his works in a serene setting in a typical small village where art and nature coexist seamlessly.

Your excursions will also take you to the charming villages of Albas or Puy-L’Évêque, both nestled along the River Lot. There, you’ll wander through narrow, picturesque streets, admire beautifully preserved stone houses, and take in stunning river views. These villages offer an authentic glimpse into the heart of the Cahors vineyards, a perfect stop for some wine tasting !

Getting there

International flights either direct or via Paris to our two local airports Toulouse and Bergerac. These are both 1.5 hour drive from Mas Sarrat, or take the train from Toulouse to Cahors station, a 35 minute drive away where we can collect you.
Trains also from Paris, Toulouse or Bordeaux to Cahors station.

Getting around

Tucked away among the limestone hills in the Lot department, Mas Sarrat consists of just a handful of stone houses. Surrounded by fields, oak woods and birdsong, our small hamlet offers a quiet refuge in the middle of rural life in the french countryside. Only minutes by car to cafés and restaurants and 10-15 minutes to markets and local and larger stores.

Payment method

💰 Payments can only be made via Wise if you are located outside France, and by bank transfer if you reside in France.

⚠️ Please always ensure that the amount received is correct and that any bank charges are paid by you.

Cancellation policy

🚫 A cancellation of a course must be made in writing (email).
Cancellation insurance: ask your insurance company for information.
Some credit cards also offer cancellation insurance.

Cancellation fees in case of cancellation by you:

• More than 90 days before the start of the stay: €300 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 stay: the total amount of the course is due (except for urgent medical reasons, with a certificate) or you can post-pone your stay for up to 12 months after the original dates.

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