French Immersion Workshops
Learn French in France with Véro
A fun, educational experience for Intermediate and Advanced level speakers.
Introducing French Immersion Small-Group Workshops In The Scenic Loire Valley
Château de l'Islette, Loire Valley, France
Imagine... the perfect combination of cultural immersion and French language practice.
Experience authentic French life in a safe, medium-sized, affordable city, with a small group (up to 6 participants) of like-minded students.
Join guided conversation sessions and group activities led by Véro, a local, your experienced native instructor and professional tour guide.
Imagine... being able to practice in France what you’ve learned so far in textbooks and traditional language classes with daily interactions with locals, all en français!
Château de l'Islette, Loire Valley, France
Welcome to the magical Loire Valley!
French kings may have been on to something when they settled down in this special region in the 15th century. It took them almost 100 years to return to Paris but they left behind world-famous châteaux, glorious architecture and a civilized lifestyle visitors and locals still enjoy today
Tours, where you will be staying, is a friendly mid-sized city, the gateway to the Loire Valley, and an UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s still off-the-beaten path in many ways, and there’s a lot more to discover in town than meets the eye.
I’ve spent hours walking the streets of Tours and researching the area’s cultural, historical and gastronomic heritage. I know some of the best addresses in town and have made friends with local business owners.
Since 2021, I've introduced francophiles to my French life in virtual tours.
When you join my French Immersion workshops in Tours, I’ll introduce you to my favorite people and places in person.
In the 19th century Tours was nicknamed "the Little Paris" and back in the day, the French language spoken here was rumored to be "the purest in France."
Hans and Adeline Krischer, France Fromages, Tours
When you join my French Immersion workshops in Tours, I’ll introduce you to my favorite people and places in person.
In the 19th century Tours was nicknamed "the Little Paris" and back in the day, the French language spoken here was rumored to be "the purest in France."
Tours is the perfect city to host French immersion workshops: It’s safe, just the right size, walkable, with a good public transportation system. Best of all, it’s just a 75-minute train ride away from Paris and easily accessible to international travelers.
Forget the frustration of trying to communicate in French in Paris: Here many locals welcome interactions in French and won’t respond in English!
In fact, we have built in free time for you to explore the city, the Loire riverbanks, shop at local merchants, cook or enjoy some down time. Our days will be balanced: We will not be rushing from one place to the next.
Immerse yourself in local life: You will book your own accommodation (a list of my favorite hotels and apartment rentals is included with the workshop) and enjoy meals on your own when they are not a group activity.
You’ll be in touch with other students via a WhatsApp group so you can always reach out and plan outings if you want to.
Les Détails
October 2025: 7 days, 6 nights
Week 1: Intermediate Level Workshop
Week 2: Advanced Level Workshop
Find out if these Workshops are a good fit for you.
Where:
Tours, Loire Valley
From:
Week 1: Intermediate Level Workshop: From Saturday October 18, 2025 5:00pm to Friday October 24, 2025 11:00am
Week 2: Advanced Level Workshop: From Saturday October 25, 2025 5:00pm to Friday October 31, 2025 11:00am
Price per Person:
$1,490 USD per week, per person.*
• $500 USD deposit will hold your spot.
• Remaining balance to be paid by August 4, 2025.
*Patrons and students get priority registration and a $90 discount. (For active France with Véro Patrons with memberships in good standing and students of Vero's 2025 French bootcamps. Must be requested at the time of registration.)
What's Included:
Fees include tuition, all daily activities and much more! See what's included and what to expect.
How to Join:
To inquire about availability and joining, please complete this form.
Enrollment limited to 6 participants. Must be at least 18 to join.
Why my French Immersion workshops are different
I designed this program as the continuation of the online French conversation classes I have led (and sold out!) since 2020. Many students have been with me since then.
Discussions focus on communication (not perfection or challenging grammar rules) and on building the confidence to interact in French, a challenge for many adult learners.
We learn and we have fun together!
Relevant topics cover a wide range of interests linked to French life now and then or French history with a focus on the magnificent Loire Valley.
I will be your teacher and your guide as you follow me on local adventures in Tours and beyond.
Vero's tour of Tours was first and foremost, fun. She combined a wealth of knowledge about Tours and important historical events that happened there with her joyful personality which sets her apart from other tour guides. We appreciated her moderate walking pace and her eagerness to answer and explain any question we had. It was perfect in every way. We 100% recommend booking with Véro while visiting France.
Jodee, Tour With Véro
Meet Véronique “Véro” Savoye
Your instructor, tour guide and B.F.F.F (Best French Friend in France)
A French native from Toulouse, I have been teaching French as a Foreign Language for over 25 years in the United States first (I lived in Seattle, WA for more than two decades) and now in France.
From private tutoring to group lessons or France travel workshops, from beginner to more advanced levels, I’ve had a lot of practice helping students achieve their language learning goals.
Now, I continue to teach and share France and French culture with francophiles and students through online conversation classes and as a professional tour guide and writer.
I love teaching and I am good at it. Join us!
Véro provides a unique perspective on French life that you just can’t get anywhere else. From history, to food, song, culture, heritage and interesting background on daily French life experiences, our discussions en français with Véro enabled us to put on a different hat and see France more like a French person does. Those efforts at understanding will enrich future trips and, more importantly, interactions with the people I meet.
Bob, Advanced French Learner
For live tours, travel tips, French lessons and much much more, I highly recommend France with Véro. Véro goes way beyond the norm to provide interesting, up to date content in many formats. She gives a very interesting insight into French culture, language, travel, and food just to name a few. Whether it’s a shopping trip to the local market or a stroll in a garden, she is always engaging and fun.
Elaine L.
What's Included & What you Can Expect
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The French Immersion workshop includes, of course, the services of Véro, a French native and a local, an experienced adult educator and professional guide acting as your lead instructor, tour director and main point of contact for the workshop duration.
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A unique opportunity to immerse yourself in French culture outside Paris; make new friends and improve your French language skills with a small group.
Pre-Trip
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Accommodation: You narrow down your choice of hotel or rental apartment (we provide a list to guide you.) Véro will advise you on the best location to minimize commuting to workshop activities
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Small group for more individual attention, more opportunities to practice and participate. Our focus is always conversation.
Please note the workshops need a minimum of 5 students to run.
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One Zoom group call one month before the start of the workshop to iron out logistics, share updates and more (includes Q&A with Véro).
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Private WhatsApp group for workshop participants. Stay in touch during and after the workshop. Ask questions. Exchange tips. Get together during your free time.
During The Workshop
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A Welcome Packet including:
- List of Véro’s favorite local restaurants/cafés/shops (for meals enjoyed on your own.)
- Tours City map.
- Fil Bleu Transportation pass (10 trips included, valid on the local Tram and bus system.)
- List of local events during your stay.
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All handouts related to group discussions and activities.
Each day we'll start with a group discussion and a prep session before heading out for afternoon activities.
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A hot beverage and snacks during morning meetings, 4 group meals (including the Welcome and Farewell dinners.)
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All group activities fees and tips, including entrance fees and transportation (tram, buses, local trains, comfortable van on the scheduled road trip.) There is at least one activity per day, so there’s free time built in, to explore, to study, or rest.
NOTE: You are responsible for your accommodation and meals (other than what's included).
Workshop Registration Process
Please note current students and France with Vero Patrons have priority registration.
1
Click the button above to fill out a registration form to confirm your interests and goals. If you're not already a France With Véro student, I’ll follow up with a link for a placement test to determine your current level of French.
2
After your test, we’ll have a quick, 15-minute Zoom call to assess your French language skills to ensure the level remains consistent with each group. (Not applicable for current French With Véro students.)
3
Next, you will complete, sign, and return registration documents with a 500 Euro, non-refundable deposit. Upon receiving our suggested local accommodation list you will be encouraged to book your airfare and accommodation.
TIP: Emergencies happen. We strongly recommend getting travel insurance.
4
Final payment due by August 4, 2025. A Zoom call with Véro and other participants will be organized 30 days before the start of the workshop (will include updates and a Q&A.)
Questions before signing up? Contact me, I’m happy to answer.
Ready to learn French in France?
Bien sûr !
I learn so much about French life, customs, places, history and culture, all while practicing my French skills. We laugh a lot. Véro’s classes are the best!
Cathy, Advanced French Learner
Wondering if Véro’s French classes are a good fit for you?
What Véro's Workshops Are
- A unique French immersion experience for students at the Intermediate (B1) and Advanced (C1) levels with a small group of up to 6 participants.
- A continuation of Véro’s popular online French conversation classes with an emphasis on communication through group discussions and daily interactions with locals (business owners, tour guides, and more.)
- A chance to learn while having fun in a relaxed environment. Morning group sessions held at local cafés focus on conversation with topics relevant to afternoon activities and life in the Loire Valley (handouts provided at least the day before.)
- Through varied activities including a visit to the local food market, a cooking class, guided visits of local landmarks (and at least one château,) learn more about French history and heritage, modern French life, gastronomy and wine with a focus on the Loire Valley region.
What Véro's Workshops Aren't
- A traditional French immersion program with structured class time and grammar lessons (I am happy to recommend local schools where you can sign up for classes before or after the workshop.)
Véro’s workshops are not for everyone.
They will be a great fit for you if:
- You value an experience over aiming for only opulent luxury, you aim to explore the French culture in depth instead of sticking to a spreadsheet/checklist of things-to-do and places-to-see;
- You enjoy meeting new people and are willing to actively participate in the program.
- You are ready to live like a local: This involves walking, riding public transportation and more walking. Good news: Tours is a very walkable city (It’s flat!)
- You are an independent traveler and are able to spend time on your own including during meals.
- You are flexible and understand things can change last minute (that includes the schedule and the weather!) In short, you are willing to go with the flow and enjoy the adventure.