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Add-ons to learning French in Montpellier, by Sally (New Zealand)

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Add-ons to learning French in Montpellier, by Sally (New Zealand)

When I enrolled to learn French at ILA I was focused pretty much on the language side of things. It was not until I arrived in Montpellier that I fully understood the great range of extra-curricular activities that the ILA French language school arranges for the afternoons and weekends. At least 3 afternoons each week and one day at the weekend there are expeditions or visits or in-house sessions about things to do with French life and culture. A great way to learn French in France during leisure activities.

As I write this I am coming to the end of my second visit to learn French in Montpellier. Each visit has been 3 weeks long and during that time I’ve done a wide range of the extra activities.

Cheese Pastries Wine and Delicatessens

The food related sessions I’ve attended have covered these four vital aspects of French life. The French cheeses seminar, one of the highlights of my French language stay in Montpellier, involved tasting about 8 cheeses and was presented by one of the French teachers. He certainly knew his cheeses. He explained all about the various forms of production, the lifestyle of the animals producing the milk, and maturation periods of the products, and some of the uses for the different forms and types of cheese. I loved it – and it certainly meant that I knew a little more when I gazed into the windows of the fromageries which dot the old town of Montpellier.

The french pastries were presented in the same sort of format – on another day thank goodness! We learnt about the history of each type of cake, some of the original chefs and their target audience, as well as the way they have developed over time. That day I tasted L’Opera, macaron, millefeuille, tarte tatin and baba au rhum among others. It was a very ‘rich’ afternoon at the ILA French language school!

The visit to the Chateau de Flaugergues winery was a great experience. It’s the only winery within the city boundary of Montpellier and the hosts were so generous in letting us wander round their magnificent garden, guiding us through their magnificent mansion home and then offering us a wine tasting in the shade of their magnificent bamboo forest. Then of course we got to visit their on-site shop and most students left with at least one bottle of their fine products. This tasting was certainly on a much grander scale than any wine-tasting I’ve done at home in New Zealand and given that I live in Central Otago I’ve had more than a little practice!

And my fourth visit was to a delicatessen a short walk from the ILA French language school. For two hours the owner regaled us with tastes and stories of his many fine products. His extreme pride in each and every one was easy to see and he was generous in his offerings and time. What a treat that was.

Going a little further from Montpellier

I’ve been on three of the off-site bus trips that the ILA French language school offers. I’ve visited Les Baux de Provence, the two ancient bull-fighting cities of Arles and Nimes, Avignon (including Le Pont of course), Pont du Gard (one of the wonders of the ancient world) and the little village of Uzes. Coming from New Zealand these places are very much the stuff of children’s songs and stories, and smack of faraway places that we can only dream about. To be able to partake in a trip to these destinations for a Saturday afternoon washard to get my head around, but it is true 😉

The little village of Uzes was a particular attraction to me because Peta Mathias, a well-known NZ author and television chef, has opened a cooking school there and sings its praises whenever she is back home. Having now visited it I can see why she has made it her second home. On a Saturday it’s a bustling little town with its market being the center of activity. I was completely mesmerised by the range and colour and sheer liveliness of all the stalls and the passionate sellers.

Nimes, Arles, Avignon, Les Baux . . . were all magnificent in their grandeur, their centuries of history and the sheer scale and brilliance of their construction. I found it almost overwhelming – a bit like sensory overload – to visit these cities and sites and soak up the atmosphere. I could have looked at each building and view and perspective for hours – but the schedule meant time was limited, but what a great way to get a taste of so many places and know where to revisit in years to come at a more leisured pace.

Thank you again ILA for rounding out your French language course so beautifully. My French language immersion stay in Montpellier was fantastic; I am super grateful and can really recommend the ILA French language school in Montpellier to learn French in France.

Sally, New Zealand (ILA student)