Experience French and Provence: Book an Immersion Holiday Near Toulon

Do you want to learn to speak French or improve your language skills while on holiday in Provence?

In 2021, French native Beatrice Carrot and her husband relocated from San Francisco to Toulon, the home of the French Navy (arsenal de Toulon). It was not long before they fell in love with the city, the region, and their beautiful new home. With four adult children spread across two continents, Beatrice dedicates her time to offering home-based French immersion classes and bespoke guided tours in French or English. Below is an interview with Beatrice about her French Immersion homestay experiences.

5 Reasons to Visit Toulon, France

French Immersion Holiday near Toulon

Please share your background as a French language teacher.

When my children were in high school in the Bay Area, I heard about some vacant positions and the shortage of substitute teachers. The principal was thrilled to have a potential native-speaking recruit and encouraged me to apply. My French business school diploma was deemed equivalent to a Master’s degree, and I was allowed to take the CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test—which has absolutely nothing to do with the ability to teach French!).

When did you start working with students?

I started teaching in high school in 2016. During that first year, I also served as a cooking instructor in the same high school

Do you work with students of all ages?

I started working with high schoolers and then moved on to college students and adults. I do not work with younger children.

How do you assess a person’s level of spoken French?

I suggest they do an online test if they are familiar with formal classes and then do an online interview in French. Written and spoken French are two very different things.

In Provence, do you offer programs both in-person and online?

Yes, indeed, and often both. Some students take a few one-on-one online classes before they come, enabling us to hit the ground running as soon as they arrive.

What if someone can speak reasonably well but needs help with writing or business terms?

I love working with academically oriented students. Occasionally, I have helped people who relocated to France and needed help adjusting to the French corporate environment. In addition, I hosted university professors who were studying in France.

How does your holiday immersion program work if someone wants to stay in your gîte and learn French?

Everything is possible. The studio and apartment where students are hosted are also summer rentals. I can offer a total “à la carte” program with just a few hours of classes or even act as a private tour guide in English for guests who don’t care about French!

What activities do you plan during a week of holiday immersion?

No two immersions are similar. We can go from 15 hours of formal classes to no formal teaching and all experiences. The guests will pick their visits based on their interests. Activities will also vary depending on the seasons: kayaking in summer, hiking and biking year-round, bird watching, farmer’s markets, local history, museum and town visits, cooking and even foraging for mushrooms, and motorcycle rides!

Do you offer programs to couples or families?

Half of my students come with their significant others or adult children. Some speak French, and others don’t and share meals and outings.

Do you offer follow-up programs?

Yes, some students are happy to stay in touch and maintain their French skills with me—we either keep a formal program with a book, read news articles, or just continue our conversations.

Is there anything else that you would like to share?

Toulon is a great city year-round—small enough to be very walkable and large enough to enjoy many cultural activities beyond the beach. Most guests are disappointed that they only planned to stay for one week!

No French, no problem. You can still enjoy local life in a charming neighbourhood with your private backyard and pool access. I’ll happily help you find your way around or serve as your tour guide.

For more information on Beatrice’s French language programs and immersion holidays please visit her website: Bernice.fr.

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).