Cultural Activities in Toulouse, France

Learning a language also means discovering a different culture and way of life. At Langue Onze Toulouse we propose a varied and stimulating programme of extra-curricular activities to give you deeper insight into French history, culture and customs, as well as introducing you to the city of Toulouse. Excursions in the region will allow you to explore local gastronomy - foie gras, salade de chevre chaud (toasted goat cheese), magret de canard, saucisse de Toulouse, cassoulet and violet ice cream, its wines and liqueurs – and learn about the fascinating rebellious political, religious and economic history of the Southwest of France.

Our Cultural Program offers a wide range of activities which take place in the afternoons and evenings. All activities are accompanied by a teacher or French-speaking staff member and most activities are held in French, giving you extra time to practice and improve in fluency.

Your first day welcome to the school and Toulouse includes an information packet detailing upcoming events, hints on what to do and see in town, a guided walking tour of the city and an optional lunch in a typical Toulousan restaurant.

Throughout your course, several afternoons or evenings per week will find you exploring new corners of la ville rose; dancing, dining and taking in concerts and shows, swimming, hiking, cycling along the Canal du Midi; attending conferences and films in French, playing Pétanque or taking a riverboat cruise at sunset. The program includes regular visits to Toulouse features such as the Airbus aircraft assembly line and the Cité de l'Espace.

With its multitude of cultural organizations, museums and more than 20 annual festivals of music, dance, film and art year-round, in Toulouse there's always something happening.

Excursions

In the summer months, on many weekends we offer optional excursions to points of interest in the Toulouse region:

Carcassonne - an impressive walled mediaeval city boasting 3 km of ramparts, 52 towers, castle and cathedral, restored in the 19th century by the renowned architect Viollet-le-Duc.

Albi- birthplace of the troubadours and Langue d'Oc, its centre ville intact from the Middles Ages, the city of Albi is the site of the Toulouse-Lautrec museum & the fantastically frescoed cathedral Sainte-Cécile, one of the largest brick edifices in the world.

Pyrenees – superb winter skiing and sports & hiking year-round in this magnificent mountain range only 100 km south of Toulouse, on the French border with Spain.

Mediterranean shore – sun and fun at the beach in seaside villages from Sète to Narbonne & along the coasts of French Catalonia.

Accommodation Options in Toulouse, France

Our professional accommodation service helps make your stay in Toulouse a rounded experience of French culture and daily life. Our host families and houseshares in Toulouse are careful selected and regularly inspected, to ensure that your 'home in Toulouse' will be friendly, welcoming and clean.

Rest assured that all of the private accommodation we propose to students for the duration of their Intensive French course is right in the city centre or a short ride to the school on public transportation. All accommodation is fully furnished, and bedding, clean sheets and towels are provided.

Our accommodation service includes free airport transfer (round-trip) or pick-up and return to the Toulouse train or bus station.

Accommodation with meals in the home of a French family or French hosts

In France, the evening meal is central, the moment to sit down with your family and spend a relaxing hour discussing the day. Take your meals around the table with a French host family: you'll enjoy local specialities and classic French dishes while you see first-hand how the French live at home.

We recommend this accommodation option for students who want a fuller immersion in French daily life and extra conversation practice, all while sampling the world-famous French cuisine. Accommodation options include: half-board (breakfast and dinner) or full-board (breakfast, dinner + a bag lunch).

Accommodation in a shared flat with French housemates, including access to cooking facilities

Practice your French with local residents in shared, self-catering flats or houses. You'll have a private single or double room plus access as you please to fully-equipped cooking facilities, bathroom/WC and all the communal areas – sometimes including balconies or private gardens. We recommend this option to students who prefer a more independent environment. You will be sharing with native French speakers and sometimes other international students.

Other Accommodation options

We also propose Bed & Breakfast, «Executive» rooms with added comfort and private bathrooms, and self-catering studio apartments in Toulouse. Or we can reserve a room for you in a hotel or Appart'hotel (hotel room with cooking facilities). For further information, ask us!