French Intensive Course in France

We would like to invite you to join our French intensive course in France, which will take place from 24th September to 5th October 2012 in the heart of the Alsace vineyards in the little town of Kaysersberg, not far from the charming city of Colmar.

The course offers two level options, for beginners and intermediate French language students and has been developed to combine 30 hours of lessons and an interesting and varied mix of excursions and cultural activities throughout the 12 days. The programme has been thoughtfully put together and also includes two very special degustation dinners in top restaurants. The other evenings we have built-in free-time to enable you to rest, relax and enjoy the stunning area either on your own or with new-found friends. The course is limited to a maximum of 20 students.

A special feature of this course and what makes it truly personal is the opportunity you will have for unique encounters with the local people and the chance to improve your French with regular lessons and conversation with our French team throughout the 12 days. Monday to Friday you will be in class each morning with exciting activities organised for the afternoons. On Saturday and Sunday there will be longer excursions to both Strasbourg and the famous Ecomusée, the largest open-air museum in Europe.

Alsace is often not as well-known to tourists compared to other French regions but it has lots to offer and the Wine Route is a beautiful scenic series of vineyards and medieval villages with a rich cultural heritage. The trip coincides with the grape harvest so it is the perfect time of the year to be there!

Please download the programme for full course details and further information about how to book your place. The booking form along with the terms and conditions are located on pages 8, 9 and 11.

We hope you can join us for this 12 day French adventure in September 2012!

Pierre and Rachel Guernier

French Moments

French Moments Intensive Course in France

Ecomusée d’Alsace © French Moments

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Centre of Kaysersberg © French Moments

Rachel and Pierre © French Moments

Learn French amongst the vineyards...

Several cities and villages along the Alsace Wine Route have become famous and attract a very large crowd of visitors during the summer months and Christmas where they have beautiful Christmas Markets. These villages are gems of the wine country and are often made up of old medieval ramparts, winding alleyways that bloom with magnificent geraniums, winstubs, half-timbered houses, and medieval churches. Many town names have become synonymous with rich traditions, friendliness, prosperity and great wines. These include Ribeauvillé, Hunawihr, Riquewihr, Turckheim, Colmar, and Eguisheim, all at very close distance from our base, the beautiful little town of Kaysersberg.

The region around Colmar is one of the sunniest in France and its average levels of rain are the lowest of all of France’s vineyards making this a delightful destination.

Our ‘French Moments’ pages on Alsace:

Sundgau - a rural place of interest in Southern Alsace.

History of the Sundgau - the past glory of the Sundgau which once belonged to Austria.

Munster - a cheese from the Vosges, produced in Alsace and Lorraine.

Christmas in Alsace - full of tradition and Christmas spirit!

Leckerlis Recipe - delicious Christmas cookies originally form Basel and the South of Alsace.

Bredalas de Noël - recipe of 6 Christmas cookies traditionally baked in Alsace at Christmas time.

Route des Crêtes des Vosges - a reputed and highly frequented tourist itinerary in the Vosges mountains.

Kugelhopf - recipe of the famous brioche cake from Alsace.

Linzer Torte - recipe of the Austrian tart often cooked in Alsace.

Strasbourg Homepage - the capital of Alsace: the Old-Town, the gothic cathedral, the German Imperial district, Strasbourg and Europe.

Alsace Wine Route - the most popular tourist itinerary in Alsace, and the charming little towns of Riquewihr, Kaysersberg and Eguisheim.

Alsace Wines - the wines from the Alsatian cépages are still sold in gracefully-shaped bottles.

Colmar - the capital of Alsace Wines is a must-to-see on your visit to the region.

The Vosges - the mountain range is known for its rounded summits, pine forests, blueberry-covered meadows, and munster cheese.

Ecomusée d’Alsace - one of the largest open air village museum in Europe.

“The location of Kaysersberg, its curious silhouette, its numerous constructions of the past make it one of the prettiest cities among the cities of the Alsatian vineyard”. (Hansi)

Kaysersberg, the “Mountain of the Emperor”, certainly deserves its prestigious name. A tourist hotspot, the little town houses the most beautiful half-timbered houses of the Renaissance in Alsace in its entirely pedestrian centre. The city of Kaysersberg and its viticulture are dominated by the castle ruins, which now only consist of a beautiful round tower. The view from its summit offers a panorama of the city, the valley of the Weiss, the vineyards and the Plain of Alsace.

Kaysersberg is made up of just 3,000 inhabitants, located 10km from Colmar where the TGV train can reach Paris in just 2.5 hours. The town centre has all sorts of shops and stores, some of which will be visited during the course as a practical way of using your French: bakeries and patisseries, butchers, post office, tourist information centre, grocers, banks, cellars, fishmongers, newsagents, bookshops, souvenirs, etc.

Situation map of Alsace and Kaysersberg

Kaysersberg will be our base for the 12 day course

The intensive course is structured for both beginners and more seasoned French speakers.

There will be 2 group options available for the actual lessons: Beginner and Conversation.

Beginner:

Our beginner group will use our tailor-made programme which will give you tools to survive in France! Learn how to count, greetings, present tense, shopping, ordering in restaurants and more... then go out after class and try your new French on the locals!

Conversation:

Our conversation group is designed for students who have a foundation in French grammar and vocabulary and who although not yet fluent can hold conversations in French at a slow pace.

The whole course will immerse you in French and will be themed on the discovery of Alsace (history, culture, gastronomy, etc.)

When do the lessons take place?

Monday to Friday from 9am-12pm

Total hours of lessons over the 12 days: 30 hours

Morning lessons also include a brief morning tea with croissants, fruit, tea or coffee served during the break where everyone is encouraged to continue speaking French (!) then it’s back to class till 12pm.

French Moments Teachers

All lessons are run by qualified French native teachers endorsed by French Moments and who will make the lessons fun and interactive. Students will be given the opportunity to go out with their teachers on “mini missions” into town in order to put into practice what they’ve learnt in class.

The course

On each weekday afternoon and on the Saturday and Sunday, local excursions and cultural activities will be organised. This will be a great opportunity to discover the region and interact with locals (in French!). The trip will coincide with the grape harvest in Alsace so one of the highlights will be a visit to some local wine makers and their cellars! We’ve also allowed time for you to relax and all evenings are free except for the two dinner party evenings (Friday nights).

Excursions and activities include:

- Guided tours of Kaysersberg, Alsace Wine Route (Riquewihr and Eguisheim), Strasbourg, Colmar.

- Visit to a cheese-maker (Munster).

- Pâtisserie workshop.

- Visit the Wine cellars and vineyards during the grape harvest with wine tasting.

- Special visit of the Mairie (town-hall) with a guide through the local customs and traditions.

- Day out at the Ecomusée of Alsace (Europe’s largest open-air museum).

- Walk and picnic in the Vosges.

- Visit of the Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle.

- Painting on wood workshop (a local craft).

- Two stunning degustation evenings at top local Alsatian restaurants one of which is a themed (fancy dress) event.

Excursions and cultural activities

Local restaurant in Colmar © French Moments

Riesling bunch

Vines near Kaysersberg © French Moments

The Vosges and Alsace vineyards © French Moments

Local restaurant © French Moments

Eguisheim © French Moments

Alsace Wine Route, Mon 24th Sept to Fri 5th Oct 2012

Please download the programme for full course details and further information about how to book your place. The booking form along with the terms and conditions are located on pages 8, 9 and 11.

To receive more information about this exclusive 2012 intensive French course in the Alsace Wine Route, please contact Rachel Guernier. We would be delighted to give you more information and can help suggest accomodation and travel information associated with this trip.

To receive more information

Paris

Kaysersberg

Indulge in 12 days of intensive French lessons and cultural delights in the heart of the Alsace vineyards...

The French Moments Intensive French Course in Alsace takes place from Monday 24th September to Friday 5th Oct 2012 and costs AUD $3500 per person.

An Early Bird Special rate is available to the first 10 students (in strict order of receipt of deposit) at a reduced rate of AUD $2800 per person. Once the first 10 places have been filled and deposits received, the normal price of AUD $3500 applies. Early bird now finished - 8 spaces left on the course.

A non-refundable deposit of AUD $1000 is required to book your place accompanied by the completed booking form.

All prices are in Australian Dollars and are inclusive of GST.

There are a limited number of 20 places available on this course.

All participants must be at least 18 years old on the 24th September 2012.

Please download the programme for full course details and further information about how to book your place. The booking form along with the terms and conditions are located on pages 8, 9 and 11.

To receive more information about this exclusive 2012 intensive French course in the Alsace Wine Region, please contact Rachel Guernier. We would be delighted to give you more information and will also be able to help recommend accommodation and travel routes to make your journey easier.

An information evening will be organised in August 2012 just before the trip.

Day 1

9am to 9.30am: Welcome and Course Introduction

9.30am to 11am: French Lessons

11am-11.20am: Morning tea

11.20am to 12.30pm: French Lessons

12.30pm - 2pm: Free time / lunch

2.30pm - 5.30pm: Guided tour and beautiful afternoon tea in Kaysersberg

5.30pm onwards: Free time

Day 2

9am to 10.30am: French Lessons

10.30am-10.50am: Morning tea

10.50am to 12pm: French Lessons

12pm - 2pm: Free time / lunch

2pm - 5.30pm: Wine degustation in Kaysersberg

5.30pm onwards: Free time

Day 3

9am to 10.30am: French Lessons

10.30am-10.50am: Morning tea

10.50am to 12pm: French Lessons

12pm - 2pm: Free time / lunch

2pm - 5.30pm: Cheese workshop and tour of Munster fromagerie

5.30pm onwards: Free time

Day 4

9am to 10.30am: French Lessons

10.30am-10.50am: Morning tea

10.50am to 12pm: French Lessons

12pm - 5.30pm: Trip to Riquewihr and Hunawihr with visit to a wine cellar (you can get lunch on arrival in Riquewihr at your leisure)

5.30pm onwards: Free time

Day 5

9am to 10.30am: French Lessons

10.30am-10.50am: Morning tea

10.50am to 12pm: French Lessons

12pm - 2pm: Free time / lunch

2pm - 4pm: Visit the village of Eguisheim

4pm to 7pm: Free time

7pm to 10pm: Degustation Dinner Party

Day 6

10am to 5.30pm: Visit to Strasbourg

Day 7

10am to 4.30pm: Visit to the Ecomusée d’Alsace (open-air museum)

Day 8

9am to 10.30am: French Lessons

10.30am-10.50am: Morning tea

10.50am to 12pm: French Lessons

12pm - 2pm: Free time / lunch

2pm - 6pm: Visit to the castle of Haut-Koenigsbourg

6pm onwards: Free time

Day 9

9am to 10.30am: French Lessons

10.30am-10.50am: Morning tea

10.50am to 12pm: French Lessons

12pm - 2pm: Free time / lunch

2pm - 6pm: Visit to Colmar

6pm onwards: Free time

Day 10

9am to 10.30am: French Lessons

10.30am-10.50am: Morning tea

10.50am to 12pm: French Lessons

12pm - 2pm: Option 1 - walk in the Vosges Mountains with picnic lunch or if choosing Option 2 - free-time for lunch before painting on wood workshop starts at 2pm

2pm - 5.30pm: Option 2 - Painting on wood workshop starts

5.30pm onwards: Free time

Day 11

9am to 10.30am: French Lessons

10.30am-10.50am: Morning tea

10.50am to 12pm: French Lessons

12pm - 2pm: Free time/ lunch

2pm - 5.30pm: Patisserie workshop

5.30pm onwards: Free time

Day 12

9am to 10.30am: French Lessons

10.30am-10.50am: Morning tea

10.50am to 12pm: French Lessons

12pm - 2pm: Free time / lunch

2pm - 5.30pm: Visit of the local town hall “La Mairie” and meet the local Mayor (+ a surprise!)

5.30pm to 7pm: Degustation meal and “au revoir”

Itinerary

What’s NOT included?

Airfares, taxes, passport fees, visas (if applicable) and transfers to and from Kaysersberg at the start and end of the trip

Accommodation

Meals (other than the two Friday night dinners, morning teas during lesson times, afternoon tea with the Kaysersberg guided tour and picnic lunch for the walk in the Vosges excursion)

Travel insurance

Any bank transfer fees

Spending money and items of a personal nature

Taxis

Telephone expenses

Gratuities

Room service and extra food and beverages not on the menu of the organised meals.

Fancy-dress for the themed event which you will need to bring with you (inspiration will be provided!)

What’s included in the price?