Combine exercise with improving your French

Why not mix in some gentle exercise with improving your Franch language skills?

We can offer you charming accommodation in the Mercantour where a couple of hours French tuition can take place after a breakfast, followed by a walk and a picnic lunch in the hills, before returning “home” for a well earned rest and evening meal.

There will be a couple of meals out in the evenings together where local restaurateurs will treat you to good Alpine cooking and talk you through their specialities.

We will tailor walks to include dropping in to local cheese producers, honey shops, an organic farm, and the Alpha Wolf Sanctuary in Le Boréon near Saint-Martin-Vésubie, so that you will have ample opportunity to practice your new confidence with French.

The last night will be spent in Nice allowing an early morning visit to the Nice flower market, where guests can chat to locals and barter for some Provençal goodies.

When contacting us please do indicate your level of French and interest so that we can try to match guests with similar skills.

French courses led by a TEFL qualified instructor, and walks by an International Mountain Leader.

Season

Early May to end September

Departures to date

2008 - Contact us for further information.

Pricing

Standard weekly package :

Gite based - £570

Hotel or Chambre d'Hote B&B- £720

Hotel or Chambre d'Hote full board - £870

For non-standard periods and programmes, contact us to discuss the options. Read about our flexible way of working.

Walking Grades

grade

Your Accommodation

GÎte

What's included

Seven nights accommodation.

Meals :Dinner on the nights of days 1,3 and 6, and picnic lunches days 2,3,5 and 6, with lunch at the local bar in Belvédère on day 4. Drinks are at own cost.

Transport : To and from all venues. To and from Nice airport, aside from gite guests who decide to hire a car during their stay in Berthemont. We offer supermarket visits for self catering guests who do not wish to hire a car.
Activities : Five days guided walking accompanied by a TEFL trained French instructor, and all walks guided by a qualified IML. Visit to flower market in Nice accompanied by a TEFL trained instructor.

Itinerary

• Day 1. Arrive in Nice. Transfer to Berthemont gîte, or B&B in Saint-Martin-Vésubie or Saint-Dalmas Valdeblore.
• Day 2. French class in the morning followed by lunch in Le Boréon, a visit to Alpha Wolf Sanctuary, and a visit to a local cheese maker.
• Day 3. A French class is followed by a trip down to Utelle, and a short walk before lunch where one of the most stunning views of the Mercantour can be enjoyed. After lunch there is the opportunity to visit the village of Utelle which is steeped in Templar history. Dinner in La Source restaurant in Lantosque.
• Day 4. Visit an organic farm in Berthemont in the morning, before heading off via the thermal baths to Belvédère village for a lunch in the village square and a visit to a honey shop. Afternoon French class followed by dinner at leisure.
• Day 5. Spend the morning exploring the historic village of Saint-Martin-Vésubie, including a guided visit, followed by a walk to the nearby perched village of Venanson where a picnic lunch can be enjoyed, overlooking the Vésubie valley. The afternoon will include some French tuition followed by an evening at leisure.
• Day 6. The morning concentrates on French, before a bite of lunch and an afternoon in the great outdoors in the Gordolasque valley. Dinner will be enjoyed together at the Provençal restaurant in Roquebillière.
• Day 7. Travel down to Nice for overnight. Afternoon and evening at leisure.
• Day 8. Early morning visit to Nice flower market. Depart for the UK.

Suitable for

Your welfare & protection