Looking for the perfect city to immerse yourself in the French language and culture? Here’s why Montpellier should be at the top of your list.
Montpellier is a beautiful city in the south of France. It is a major educational hub and in home to one of the oldest universities in France. Thanks to its large student population, the city always has a lively, festive atmosphere.
Montpellier is also a major cultural hub. The British newspaper The Telegraph once mentioned this in an article: “Montpellier, the most seductive city in the French south at any time, is elegant and cultured, with an autumn sun warm enough to sit out on its squares.”
Here are five reasons to choose Montpellier for your French language immersion program:
1. Young Residents
Since Montpellier is a major educational hub, with one of the oldest universities in the country and an international business school, it has a huge student population. If you are a young graduate or a university freshman looking to do a language immersion in France, Montpellier is a great city. You will easily meet people your age and make friends to have interesting conversations in French.
2. Open-Minded Attitude
People in the South of France tend to be more open-minded and open to conversation with strangers, unlike their northern counterparts, who are usually reserved and take time to trust and make friends with strangers. Meeting locals who are open-minded and easy to have a conversation with will improve your French tremendously. After all, speaking French with locals during your language immersion stay is a key component to improving your spoken French.
If you are looking forward to meeting and connecting with others during your French language immersion program, Montpellier is an excellent choice. You may even leave with friendships that last long well beyond your stay.
3. Outdoor Social Scene
Thanks to its great Mediterranean climate Montpellier has a lively outdoor social scene. Since it receives sunshine most of the year, with warm and sunny spring and autumn, people often organize outdoor apéros. Attending an apéro is a very typical French event. Apéro is short for Aperitif. It is a pre-dinner or pre-lunch drink served with light snacks. People often organize apéros in lush green parks, lively squares and beautiful sandy beaches. Attending an apéro is a good way to meet new people and join conversations to improve one’s French.
Many restaurants or bars organize small outdoor concerts that you can enjoy while having a delicious dinner or a refreshing cocktail.
4. Affordable City
Montpellier is a very affordable city for French language immersion in comparison to major metropolitan hubs like Paris or Lyon. Whether it is for accommodation, dining, or French lessons, the prices are quite reasonable.
Thanks to its extensive network of trams and buses, the public transport is cheap and very accessible. Not to mention the extensive bike lanes and public bicycle-sharing system allow you to rent one for an affordable price. The weather in Montpellier is perfect for cycling.
For those who appreciate value and practicality, Montpellier is the ideal choice for your language immersion program.
5. Nearby and Accessible Beaches
Montpellier is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in France. They are vast, straight and sandy, in contrast to the pebble coves and bays near the neighboring city of Marseille. In addition, they are easily accessible by public transport.
During your French language immersion stay you will have the opportunity to play beach volleyball, go jogging or simply relax on the beautiful sandy beaches of Montpellier.
Montpellier proves to be an ideal city for your French language immersion program for students and language learners alike. It is a city where learners can fully engage with the language, while enjoying the unique and relaxed lifestyle of southern France.
Montpellier is waiting.
Book your French language immersion stay and experience the magic of the South of France!
