Class Schedule
Classes take place between Monday and Friday:
09:00 - 10:15 First Lesson
10:15 - 10:35 Break
10:35 - 11:50 Second Lesson
11:50 - 12:10 Break
12:10 - 13:35 Third Lesson
*Please note that during the summer months, the course timetable may be adjusted and some programs may be taught in the afternoons. In such cases, the cultural activities would take place in the morning, rather than in the afternoon. Your instructors will keep you informed of any changes to the course schedule.
You should bring a dictionary, notebooks and colored pens. It is useful to have 2 notebooks, one for new vocabulary, and one for the exercises in class. Textbooks and other teaching materials are provided, but it is advisable to have a good system of keeping your notes together.
Activities & Excursions
Every week there are planned excursions to different tourist attractions and cultural places of interest around the area. For each excursion there is a tour guide who gives a thorough explanation of the site and a presentation to the students.
On your arrival, you will enjoy a free guided tour of the city concentrating on ‘Old Tours’, its monuments and its historical restorations.
To help you discover the Loire Valley, we offer excursions by minibus through the Tourist Office, for a minimum of two people, and you can visit:
the renowned Renaissance chateaux of the Loire Valley: Chambord, Chenonceau, Azay le Rideau, Villandry and its gardens, and others;
some medieval fortresses, the magnificent Royal Abbey of Fontevraud (where Henry Plantagenet II, Aliénor d’Aquitaine and Richard the Lion-Heart are buried); the homes of Leonardo da Vinci, Ronsard and Balzac.
Regional trains enable you to visit the principal chateaux easily. If you want some physical exercise, you can rent a bicycle and return by train (with your bicycle!) when you are tired. If you are a bicycle lover, you could try ‘The Loire by Bicycle’, a route comprising small, quiet roads and some cycle paths which in the future will link Nantes with Budapest!
Wine or food courses
A Wine Course is a favourite among students. We aim to give you a better understanding and knowledge of French wines as well as develop yours skills as a wine taster.
Each course is divided into three afternoons and lasts for a total of five and a half hours. Hervé Aubert gives the first lesson on wine history, grapes, wine-makers, French wine regions and vocabulary. This lesson finishes with some Vouvray tasting in CLE’s own wine cellar, dating from the 15th century. During the following two lessons, presented by a wine specialist, you will learn about wine-making and the correct way to taste red and white wines. Choosing, buying, storing and serving wine: dos, don’ts and other advice.
In response to student demand, we offer other courses on food given by local specialists:
a cheese course
a course that harmonises cheeses and wines
a foie gras course
a bread course
Booking this vacation is easy and we accept most major credit cards. We require a deposit of $300 and a completed booking form. After checking availability we normally confirm a booking within 24 hours.
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