Programs
Please select a program from the list below
to see its details, program description and pricing.
General French
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Intensive French Course
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French Language and Country Cooking
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French Language & French Pastry Course
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Holiday French Course
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I just wanted... to tell you how much I enjoyed my stay at your home. I really do feel like I was staying at a truly French home and not a vacation spot. I loved the French country cooking... What surprised me was the amount and quality of side trips you included for us. I felt like I had a personal tour guide. Lin, Louisiana
We had such a wonderful time at your Chateau. My husband and I were so relaxed. He did not want to leave. Great food! Great wine! Great company! Tess, USA
What a hoot!!! You obviously know your stuff when it comes to food. Really enjoyed the class. L.B.
This was the best class I've ever taken! Lin
You should be very proud of what you offer; this is an outstanding opportunity for people to meet and learn French in a most convivial situation. Christine
What a fun, delicious week. A few secrets from the chef, but more details and refined methods were the highlights of the class. Great class size. A lovely location and wonderful French country feel. Mary
"The joy of this school is just being a part of true French family...meeting people from all around the world and immersing yourself in country life."
8/2001 The "Getaway" TV program, Australia
"We went to this school in May 1998 and were so delighted that we returned in October and then again in May. Our French has improved enormously, and more important, we have made many new friends. The friendly staff, excellent cuisine and peaceful ambiance of this country chateau make for a wonderful, relaxing vacation."
6/99 LA Times, jim, "Good Trip Tip" letter
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The School
Learning at school was never like this. This school offers guests the chance to perfect their French language skills by living and studying in a chateau with meals taken with the household. With a capacity of 20 guests, the school specializes in teaching French and Cooking in a relaxed atmosphere with professional teaching. Accommodation and meals are provided on site at the chateau. Lunch is buffet style, while dinner is taken together. Sunday dinner for all guests is at 7:30 pm. Speaking the language at table and with teachers. There is an English speaking table for complete beginners.
The school offers classes, accommodation and meals all in the chateau. This pleasant, quality setting allows guests to be totally immersed in French (14 hours a day) and favors a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Guests include adults, singles, families, couples, business people, and range from beginners to fluent speakers who wish to improve their fluency. Guests cover a wide range of ages from 20 to 70.
Situated in Roanne, a city famous for 3-star Troisgros, one of France’s top 10 restaurants. Near the city of Lyons in SE France, Roanne is close to the Burgundy & Beaujolais wine areas. Non-studying partners & children welcome. With its own pool, bikes, large parkland, nearby tennis courts & equestrian center, there is something something for all the family.
A chateau is the very essence of France, its past and its culture and thus an ideal setting to completely immerse yourself in the French language and culture. A high-standard of teaching is maintained in small-group classes taught by professional teachers. Between classes, guests relax by the pool and garden and the numerous sporting and entertainment facilities located nearby. The school is close to the center of Roanne, a medium-sized city. The friendliness of the people of Roanne means they love to take time to talk; a rare quality in big cities like Paris or Lyon.
Located on a site inhabited since the thirteenth century, the school was bought by Jean Chezard, an aristocrat of Italian descent, in the sixteenth century. The chateau was completely renovated around 1700 as its style dates from this period. At the height of its glory, the estate included twenty surrounding farms. Early this century the chateau was owned by Andre Citroen of car-making fame. Today the main building covers 900m2 (1,080 square yards) while the property comprises the chateau, outbuildings and 13 hectares (32 acres) of park and woodland.
As French is spoken at table, a special place is set aside for complete French beginners or those taking the Cookery course in English to allow them to speak English if they wish or feel the need.
We take special care with meals as food has just as important a rôle to play as accommodation and classes in making your stay at the Château a pleasant one.
Breakfast is varied & nutritious with a choice of cereals, muesli (granola), fresh fruit, plain & organic yogurt, white and organic wholegrain bread & jam with a toaster available to make toast if you wish.
Lunch is buffet style and includes a large choice of salads & vegetables as well as a hot dish. This leaves you the freedom to have lunch at table or take a tray & eat by the pool or in the garden.
Dinner is a special time in the Château when the chef prepares a traditional, country-style, sit-down French dinner that includes: an entrée, main dish, cheese & dessert with lots of red & white wine to wash it down with.
And for vegetarians and guests needing special diets, just let us know before you arrive so that the chef can cater to your particular needs.
Coffee, tea, herb tea & fresh fruit are permanently available on our self-service sideboard table to give you a little more of that 'at home' feeling.
Entertainment & Sport
With its 13 acres (32 hectares) of parkland the chateau is an idyllic place to relax between classes, go for walks or bike-ride along the canal that run s along the foot of the chateau grounds, swim in the chateau pool. The following facilities are located near the chateau: + Six local tennis courts (we supply racquets/balls) + A 9-hole Golf Course (clubs may be hired) + nearby Etrier Equestrian Center + ice-skating rink. A city famous for its gastronomy, the agglomeration of Roanne (population: 120,000) has a large selection of restaurants, the most famous of which is Troisgros Restaurant. Classified 3-star Michelin, Troisgros is one of the top 10 restaurants in France. As Roanne borders on the Beaujolais and Burgundy wine areas, guests can make one or two-day car trips from Roanne to these areas while the Cotes Roannaises vineyards and wine cellars are located on the outskirts of Roanne.
Exercise/Fitness Room
To help you lose a few kilos before or after Chef Stephane’s meals or to keep you in shape on the days you don’t feel like riding along the canal by bicycle, we have added a new Exercise/Fitness Room at Château de Mâtel.
Weights, abdominal & chest exercises with instructions in how to use the machines in English and in French! No more excuses except if you’ve decided that your stay is for doing nothing but relax.
Notes
All rooms and bathroom facilities ae individualized; the showers and bathrooms are European size, and there is no elevator. For this reason, if you need us to take your height and weight dimensions or health conditions into consideration when allocating rooms, please let us know when you book.
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