Ecole des Trois Ponts - Riorges

Katherine Smith

This is a wonderful place! What makes the school so special is the community it fosters amongst its students. The groups are small, meals are shared around the kitchen table, and, even if you came alone, you’ll go through the French immersion experience with friends.

Ann C.

I just returned from my first two weeks at L'Ecole des Trois Ponts and I've already made plans to return. My French improved a great deal thanks to the incredible instructors. They are professional and engaged in the success of their students. The chef was amazing - making lunch and 4-course dinners (with wine) each evening. My room was very comfortable. I couldn't have asked for more. I can see why students are incredibly loyal to this school and return time and time again. I can't wait to go back.

Jason Hoeksema

I visited L'Ecole des Trois Ponts for one week, in February 2022, and had a wonderful time! The whole experience is designed so thoughtfully, so that you are immersed in the French language constantly, with plenty of support for learning. The classroom environment was top-notch, as Vincent is a really skilled instructor. I definitely enjoyed having the additional one-on-one hours that came with the "intensive" option. It was also fabulous, and central to the experience at L'Ecole, to have all the other opportunities to practice using French outside the classroom: 3 meals a day (with at least one native French speaker at the table for at least lunch and dinner, and usually breakfast), coffee breaks, happy hours and evenings spent chatting over wine with the other students and instructors, and excursions. And the food was fabulous, ah la la. I'll never forget my first week at L'Ecole, and I hope to have the opportunity to return again one day!

Rikke F

Really enjoyed my one-week immersion course in Aug 2021. Classes were interactive and fun, and the small class size (we were three in mine) and the optional one-on-one classes provided great opportunities for advancing quickly. Valerie, Vincent and the rest of the team were amazing, meals were delicious and the facilities of the school as well as the surrounding nature great. I highly recommend, and hope to come back soon.

Julie C. Davis

3 weeks of French immersion at Ecole des Trois Ponts in Feb and March 2022 - A life-changing experience!!

French (only) was spoken at lunch and dinner and as a beginner, my understanding was very limited. Can you picture it? ?. Yet, eventually, I too began to participate in the conversation (un peu) and got exactly what I wanted from the experience. My friends from Canada have told me that my French is very good. .

Valérie et Vincent (+ l'équipe) were professional, personable and patient. As a first time, solo traveler, I felt safe. I highly recommend Ecole des Trois Ponts. The food was superb and instruction catered to my level.

Janice Chung

I've attended twice, once just for the language classes and then a year later for language classes plus the cooking course (in French). I haven't found any school that's better. One reason that it's so good is it is full immersion all day---breakfast, lunch and dinner and obviously in class. Instruction is very student-centred, so your needs are really met (vs. following a script). Highly recommend this school. Might actually go back a third time.

Michael Walls

Incredible place to stay! Went here for a school trip and had the experience of a lifetime! Chef Anthony gave wonderful cooking classes and prepared astounding meals, Rene (the owner) was so hospitable and made us feel so welcome! All the staff ate dinner with us every night and made me feel like family! The accomidations were super clean and beautiful as well. Not touristy like Paris! A real French experience!

T Rhodes

An extraordinarily pleasant place. It is a mix of a well-run hotel (with laundry service), an excellent private chef, a self-selected bunch of motivated international students, a cooking school and skilled linguist-teachers. Valérie , the owner-proprietor, has put together a good formula. Only French spoken there. Those lapsing into English at meals or in the halls are not shot - exactly - but don't continue with that.

I hadn't studied French in a classroom since 1965 and had prepared for the course as best I could by self-study in my spare time, following the old FSI regimen for diplomats. I would estimate my level going in at maybe 5.5 out of 10. After two weeks of one-on-one all-day-every-day intensive study, I'd estimate my level on "graduation" at about 7 out of 10. I had hoped for better than that. And maybe a more rigorous program tailored specifically for my needs could have pushed me more. But learning language in one's 70s is supposed to be difficult or impossible. I found it pleasingly possible to improve.

The improvement was encouraging and a lot of fun. One of my instructors diagnosed part of my problem as a deficiency in understanding the rhythm and musical flow of the language and had me study on the last day a recording of one of Charles Aznavour"s evocative chansons.. Which still rung in my ears in my cheap hotel in Montmartre on the way home.

This is a small place with very personal attention. Valérie and her crew genuinely care about the students.

Have realistic linguistic expectations and an appetite for great food and happy times.