The best destinations for learning French
LikeThere are many reasons to learn French. For a start, it is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, and before English, it was the most international language. Not so long ago it was very common to have French as a second language. This is why many students still take French classes.
There are many ways to study French and if you put your mind to it, you can become bilingual. Travelling to learn a language is the most fun and enriching option. It is the most time-consuming and expensive way, but it is definitely worth it.
Everything you can learn during a stay abroad is better than all the courses in the world. And if you complement it with French classes, you can return as an expert in the language.
There are many destinations where you can learn French, but we would like to show you the most attractive ones. There are many more, the best destination is the one that attracts your attention, but there is no doubt that these cities will leave their mark on you.
Paris
Paris is undoubtedly the first destination we all think of when we consider travelling to learn French. It is one of the most beautiful and touristic cities in the world. Without a doubt one of those places we should go to before we die.
As any big city is cosmopolitan and multicultural, if you don't speak French, you will be able to survive without problems. For this reason, it is perhaps a good destination for beginners as the immersion will be much less dramatic.
Paris is expensive and living there is complicated, but that's really one of the only downsides of living in one of the best cities in the world. Spending time there not only gives you the advantage of learning French, it will be one of the great experiences of your life.
Lyon
Lyon is an interesting option for those who want to enjoy many of the advantages of Paris, but in a cheaper way and with more amenities. It is a smaller and more manageable city, with excellent public transport and ample cycle lanes, but it still offers plenty of cultural and leisure opportunities. With various cultural events throughout the year, including the famous Fête des Lumières, you´ll never be bored in Lyon.
Lyon is also one of the most important gastronomic cities in France with an array of typical “bouchons” serving traditional Lyonnaise dishes. It's one of the best cities in the world for eating well, so you can study French while you enjoy the country's gastronomy.
Marseille
In Marseille you can enjoy one of the most famous, most visited and most touristic coasts in Europe. It is a truly multicultural city and is a favourite of many immigrants and Erasmus students.
Marseille is also the second largest city in France and is close to other cities of great charm and beauty. Living in Marseille will not only open the door to a great city, but also to many others.
Toulouse
Toulouse is one of the most culturally active cities in France. It is full of museums, theatres and concert halls. The artistic atmosphere in this city is incredible and you will find thousands of activities to do.
It is also a young, vivacious city. It is a favourite destination for students and people who are not only looking to learn French, but also to have fun. If you are looking for a dynamic destination with lots of adventure, Toulouse is the place for you.
Nice
Nice is one of the most expensive and luxurious cities in France. It is located on the Mediterranean, close to Monaco and the Italian border. It's not a cheap destination but it's just as beautiful as Marseille, without being one of the biggest cities in Europe and therefore much more comfortable and welcoming. It's perfect for shorter stays.
If you choose Nice, we encourage you to take French classes by signing up for an intensive course. Even if it's only for a short time, it will be very useful and you'll be able to communicate with French speakers.
Quebec
France is not the only place where you can learn French. In many cities in Canada, it is also the official language. Quebec is without doubt the most French-speaking city in the whole country.
Quebec has a certain European charm but within North America, meaning there's a lot of cultural exchange. It has buildings, castles and churches typical of European art but built much later, making it a very interesting city.
Montreal
Montreal is one of the most international and cosmopolitan cities in the world, and living in Montreal can be a great cultural and personal experience.
In the same way that Quebec has a strong French influence and many of its streets seem to be made in Europe, Montreal is a city where the mix of cultures and eras is much more evident. It is one of the most modern and open cities in Canada.
How long should I go away in order to learn French?
The simple answer is: as long as you can. No matter how little time you spend, if you make the most of it, you can make excellent progress. But you have to bear in mind that the less time you spend, the more effort it will require.
If you want to make a lot of progress and you're staying for a week, you'll have to force yourself to talk to a lot of people and try to do everything in French. You may even be able to find an intensive course to practise the language in French classes.
On the other hand, if you are going to spend more time there, you will be able to relax much more in this respect. Below, we will tell you a little about how things may go depending on how much time you have available to travel and stay in the country.
One month
This is the minimum time recommended if you want to do an intensive language course or have good cultural immersion. If you want to learn the basics of French in one month this is the most effective way, but if you hope to become bilingual you will need more time.
In one month you should be able to complete daily tasks in French such as ordering coffee or interacting with a supermarket cashier. Many beginners' courses can take you to an incredible level of French in this time. But don't expect to come back with a high level of French in this time, although you will probably have few problems speaking with others.
Three months
If you are going to travel for three months, you can consider a longer course to learn French. If you already know the basics on how to communicate and you force yourself to communicate in French, you may notice big changes.
Three months can go by very quickly, so it's important to ensure you engage in cultural activities such as going to the cinema, theatre or concerts to soak up the French language. And remember that it's in bars speaking to locals that you can really learn the most.
Six months
If you have a basic level of French before you travel and you're staying for six months, you don't need to take a course to notice big changes in your French. However, it is always recommended and you can make a lot of progress.
During six months you have time to do a lot of things and it's true that to make a lot of progress, it's better to mix with as many local people as possible. Avoid people who speak the same language as you and if necessary, take French classes and partake in French language exchanges wherever you are.
One year or more
This is when a person starts to become truly bilingual and can master two languages at the same time. After one year your mentality can change completely and among many other things you can start to think in French.
Travelling is undoubtedly the best way to learn languages for the simple reason that when we learn by travelling we have much more fun and learning is just a part of the experience. While travelling is the easiest way to do it, we can also have a lot of fun learning French without leaving home.