French Immersion in the Loire Valley (France) – April 2027

Vendôme, Tours, Blois, Amboise & more – but like you’ve never seen them before

Step beyond the guidebooks and discover the Loire Valley through the eyes of the people who live there.

This isn't a sightseeing tour packed with castles. It's an invitation to experience everyday French life: sharing stories with locals in a troglodyte village, chatting with artisans about their craft, tasting wines in family-run cellars, cooking alongside a local chef, and speaking French from morning to night.

Designed for just 8 to 14 participants, this immersion combines authentic encounters, outstanding regional food, and daily French lessons to help you gain confidence while creating memories few visitors ever experience.

You’ll learn French each day with engaging, practical classes taught by Loire-native Laetitia (Ma Langue au Chat) and experienced French teacher Dorothée. Your French à la Carte leader Marion will accompany the group for the whole immersion, making sure everything goes smoothly at every minute. Expect laughter, learning, camaraderie, and moments you simply couldn’t plan on your own.

This immersion is for B1+ level learners ready to push their French further in a fully French-speaking environment. More than an immersion in French, this is an immersion in the Loire itself. You'll meet people you could never meet as an independent traveller, visit places rarely included in tourist itineraries, and experience a region that reveals itself only to those who take the time to slow down and connect with its people.

Don’t miss this chance to deepen your French and explore one of France’s most beautiful regions in great company!

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We have partnered with Laetitia from Ma Langue au Chat to tailor a unique French immersion. Laetitia has been a certified French as a Foreign Language teacher in France for 25 years.

Laetitia has been a teacher in several immersions with French à la Carte, including in St Amour (Bourgogne) in 2024 and Provence in 2025. This is the second immersion in the Loire Valley that Laetitia will organise for French à la Carte.

Dates

Wednesday 21 to Friday 30 April 2027
10 days / 9 nights

French Level

This immersion is entirely in French. A minimum B1+ level (Intermediate) is required to fully benefit from the experience.

Contact us for a level assessment if you aren’t currently enrolled in one of our classes.

Travelling with a partner who's not interested in attending French classes?
Non-students are welcome to join the group for meals and cultural excursions at a reduced rate – the perfect way to share the journey without joining the classes. We ask that partners have a reasonable level of French to be able to understand and interact with the rest of the group without having to use English.

The Loire Valley

The Loire Valley, known as the “Garden of France,” is a UNESCO-listed region famous for its majestic castles, picturesque villages, and rolling vineyards. Stretching across central France, it encompasses the départements of Loir-et-Cher, Indre-et-Loire, Maine-et-Loire, and parts of Sarthe and Eure-et-Loir. This historic region follows the course of the Loire River—France’s longest—whose fertile banks have nurtured centuries of architectural splendour, royal intrigue, and literary inspiration.

Home to over 300 châteaux—including Chambord, Blois, and Amboise—the region showcases the grandeur of French history and Renaissance art.

Nestled in the northern part of the valley, Vendôme is a peaceful riverside town with a rich medieval heritage. With a population of just over 20,000, the town boasts a rich medieval past. Once a prominent duchy, it flourished as a religious and cultural centre during the Middle Ages. Highlights include the 11th-century Trinity Abbey, picturesque half-timbered houses, and elegant Renaissance façades. Nearby vineyards, troglodyte cellars, and timeless villages like Trôo capture the quiet charm of this less-travelled corner of the Loire.

The Loire Valley has inspired generations of writers, poets, and thinkers. Ronsard, born near Vendôme, celebrated its natural beauty in his Renaissance verse. Later, Balzac, Flaubert, and even Leonardo da Vinci—all drawn to its light and landscape—left their mark here.

With its perfect blend of history, nature, and gentle pace of life, the Loire Valley is the ideal setting for those seeking a deep and meaningful connection to French language and culture.

April is a beautiful time to visit the Loire Valley. Spring is in full bloom, the days are getting longer, and the countryside bursts with colour as gardens, vineyards, and riverbanks come back to life. Average daytime temperatures hover around 15–18°C, making it the perfect season for relaxed walks, castle visits, and outdoor café stops—without the crowds of summer.

Accommodation

Logis Hôtel Le Saint Georges

14 Rue Poterie. 41100 VENDOME Website

Situated in the heart of Vendôme, the Logis Hôtel Le Saint Georges offers a blend of modern comfort and historical charm. This 3-star hotel is ideally located near the banks of the Loir River, providing guests with easy access to the town's medieval architecture and picturesque landscapes.

The hotel's central location makes it an excellent base for exploring the Loire Valley's renowned châteaux and vineyards.

All rooms are soundproofed and equipped with heating to keep you cosy during cooler evenings as well as kitchenettes, flat-screen TVs, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

For those seeking added luxury, balneo rooms with hydro-massage showers are available for an additional fee.

Guests travelling together can benefit from discounted rates on shared rooms.

Rooms

Chambre Confort

Includes a queen bed, table and chairs (perfect for your homework!), kitchenette with microwave, mini-fridge, DolceGusto coffee machine & pods.

Chambre Balneo -- supplement $800

The most comfortable version of the rooms at the Hôtel Saint-Georges with a Jacuzzi bathtub to enjoy the benefits of a toning massage or relaxation before you relax on the king size bed!

Language Classes

This immersion includes eight French classes (approximately 22 hours in total), combining conversation, grammar, culture and authentic documents.

Each lesson uses authentic documents for an immersive and unforgettable experience and will take place in the hotel conference room

Classes will be conducted by Laetitia, a native French teacher that grew up in the Loire Valley and speaks with the regional accent, called "le français sans accent", and/or Dorothée, who has over 20 years of experience teaching French to adults, particularly in immersive settings.

Programme

Please note that the schedule may change as some of our partners in France have not opened their bookings for April 2027 yet.

Day 1 – Wednesday 21 April: Arrival & Welcome to Vendôme

Pick up transfer at Vendôme train station (recommended TGV from Paris arriving at 1:12pm).
Train ticket is not included -- we can help you book it.

Welcome walk and guided visit of this charming riverside town: explore its medieval abbey, Renaissance façades, and picturesque old streets. Climb to the castle ruins for sweeping views over the Loire Valley. Settle into your accommodation and enjoy a welcome apéritif.

Dinner at the hotel

Day 2 – Thursday 22 April: French Class, & Hidden Troglodyte Village of Trôo

Morning: French class

Lunch at the hotel

Afternoon: Hidden away in the Loire Valley, the tiny village of Trôo is unlike anywhere else in France. Beyond its cave dwellings and panoramic views, we'll enjoy the rare privilege of being welcomed into one of the troglodyte homes by its owners, who will share stories of life in this extraordinary village.

We'll end the day with an apéritif in a cosy wine bar in downtown Vendôme.

Dinner at the hotel

Day 3 – Friday 23 April: French Class, Market & Meet Local Artisans: Glassblower & Mushroom Cave

Morning: French class followed by a wander through the lively Vendôme market with opportunities to taste local specialities.

Lunch at the hotel

Afternoon: Meet two passionate local artisans who keep centuries-old traditions alive. Watch a master glassblower transform molten glass before your eyes, then descend into an underground mushroom farm where you'll discover a fascinating world hidden beneath the Loire countryside.

Dinner at the hotel

Day 4 – Saturday 24 April: French Class, City of Tours & Cooking Workshop

Morning: French class

Lunch at the hotel

Afternoon: We will drive to Tours and explore its medieval streets, timbered houses, and the famous Place Plumereau. Great shopping opportunity!

Early evening: Rather than simply enjoying French cuisine, you'll prepare it yourself. Guided by a local chef, we'll cook a complete regional menu together before sitting down to enjoy the meal we've created over good conversation and local wines.

Day 5 – Sunday 25 April: Gourmet Lunch & Château de Chambord & River Cruise

Morning: French class

Lunch at a 1-star Michelin restaurant featuring regional specialties.

In the afternoon, we will head to the stunning Château de Chambord – an architectural masterpiece of the Renaissance, commissioned by François Ier. We'll explore the Château freely with an audioguide to discover its famous double-helix staircase, grand halls, and vast hunting estate.

We will then discover the Loire from an entirely different perspective: aboard a traditional river boat with a local guide, learning about the river's history, wildlife and unique ecosystem.

Dinner at the hotel

Day 6 – Monday 26 April: French Class, Da Vinci’s Home & Amboise

Morning: French class

Lunch at the hotel

Afternoon: We will drive to look at the Château d’Amboise, perched above the Loire River and the former home of King François Ier (we won't visit the Château itself). Walk in the footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci as we visit Clos Lucé, the house where he spent the last years of his life under the protection of François Ier. Explore his inventions, gardens and workshops before enjoying free time in one of the Loire Valley's most charming towns, Amboise.

Dinner at the hotel

Day 7 – Tuesday 27 April: French Class, Vintage Cars, Troglodyte Cellar & Wine Tasting

Morning: French class

Lunch at the hotel

Afternoon: One of the highlights of the immersion. We'll travel through the vineyards in beautifully restored vintage cars before being welcomed by a local wine-making family. Discover their troglodyte cellar carved into the limestone cliffs, hear their stories, and enjoy a generous tasting of Loire wines and regional cheeses.

Dinner at the hotel

Day 8 – Wednesday 28 April: French Class, Blois: Château, Shopping & Hidden Contemporary Art

Morning French class

Lunch at a restaurant in Blois

Afternoon: Explore Blois at your own pace. Wander through its charming streets, browse independent boutiques, visit the royal château or discover the delightfully eccentric Fondation du Doute by French artist Ben — a hidden gem unlike any traditional museum.

Dinner at the hotel

Day 9 – Thursday 29 April: Free Morning & Final Class

Enjoy a relaxed morning – visit a café, browse local shops, or revisit your favourite spot in Vendôme.

Lunch at the hotel

Afternoon: French class focused on sharing experiences and memories from the immersion.

Celebrate your final evening with a farewell dinner at a restaurant in Vendôme.

Day 10 – Friday 30 April: Departure

After a final breakfast together, transfer to Vendôme TGV station for a 12:50pm departure to Paris.
Train tickets are not included – but we’re happy to assist with bookings.

À bientôt !

What you'll take home isn't just improved French.

It's conversations shared over long lunches, friendships formed around the dinner table, stories exchanged with locals, recipes you'll recreate back home, and the confidence that comes from spending ten days living in French rather than simply learning it.

Price

AUD $9,825 per person - Standard Room

Supplement Chambre Balneo: $800
Discount Shared Room: $800 per person
Discount for partner not attending classes: $700

Deposit to secure your booking: $1,800
Bookings are on a first come first serve basis. We will reserve your spot once we receive payment of the deposit.
Minimum 8, maximum 14 participants.

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What's included

What's not included

Payment schedule

Bookings will ONLY be confirmed upon reception of the full deposit, on a first come, first served basis.

Terms & Conditions 

Participation in this immersion is subject to French à la Carte’s General Terms & Conditions for Immersions.
👉 Click here to read the full General Terms & Conditions.

Cancellation Policy for the French Immersion in the Loire Valley (France):

By the organisers: If the tour needs to be cancelled due to a participant of the group cancelling and as a result the number of participants is below the minimum number of 8 participants, after the 10th of November 2026, no deposit will be refunded to any participant who made the late cancellation. Other participants deposits will be refunded.

By the participants: All cancellations must be made in writing to French à la Carte 

Contact & more info

0400 141 370

info@frenchalacarte.com.au