It’s been a long time in the making, but the brand-new French Culture and Civilisation course is now available to book at ACCORD Paris for courses beginning in January 2027. Let’s find out more about the new course on the block by answering the big question on everybody’s lips and getting some inside information about what exactly the course involves.
Let’s start with the question that everyone has been asking themselves…
How is this French Culture and Civilisation course different to the previous one?
There’s only one thing that’s the same as the previous French Culture and Civilisation course: the number of hours. Students still study for 26 hours per week. That’s it. Everything else has changed. Let’s take a look:
The old course included 5 general French lessons in the morning and 2 afternoons dedictaed to oral communication about French Culture and Civilisation topics in classes of maximum 14 students.
This new course, available from January 2027, includes still 5 general French lessons in the morning (with a maximum of 14 students per class) with two afternoon lessons outside the classroom dedicated to French Culture and Civilisation in a class of maximum 3 students.
Why the higher price tag for this new course?
Price of the old course was 485 euro/week. The price of this new course is 745 euro/week.
The main reason is because there’s a lot more than just teaching included in the course. Depending on the week you attend, you could explore the Catacombs with your teacher after a ghost hunt in Père Lachaise, or, you may visit Napoleon’s tomb and La Conciergerie before reliving the French Revolution for yourself at an escape game experience. Whatever the teachers have lined up for your lessons, it’s all included in the price of the course.
On top of that, the course is guaranteed to run even if there’s only you booked onto one week. That means you get the teacher’s full and devoted attention, enabling you to progress at lightning speed at, what is essentially, a one-to-one class.
Also we guarantee that there won’t be more than 3 students per class during the 2 afternoon French Culture and Civilisation lessons.
Why do students have to be intermediate (B1 level)?
Unlike the French Oral Communication course, which is all about improving your French speaking skills, and the French Grammar and Writing course, which is all about improving your French grammar and writing skills, the Culture and Civilisation course isn’t a “French” course in the strict sense of the word.
The course takes students on a journey into the history, heritage and cultural life of France and Paris specifically using the French language to guide them on their way. That means learners have to be comfortable enough in the language that they can just focus on the subjects they will learn about rather than wishing they’d had more time practising their conjugations or broadening their vocabulary. Essentially, students on the Culture and Civilisation course have to be able to “keep up” with what’s going on around them as they communicate not only with their fellow students and everyone else you will meet on your journey.
You will gain an insight into the events leading to the Revolution in Paris, see another side to iconic landmarks, get to know France’s best-loved artists and musicians, hone your drawing skills… and improve your French without having to do a single grammar exercise (that’s what the General French classes are for!).
What sort of subjects and activities are on the agenda?
ACCORD French Language School in Paris provides a range of subjects and activities that you won’t find anywhere else in Paris. The teaching staff has pulled out all the stops designing exciting quizzes, scavenger hunts, photo rallies and more to explore Paris’s iconic arrondissements and landmarks, such as Saint-Germain-des-Pres, Montmartre and Rue Montorgueil.
Here’s a sneak peek of what’s on offer for each subject (all subject to availability at the time of the course):
French & Art
- Art class at a local art studio/café
- Drawing class at a famous art museum
- Exclusive Victor Hugo walking tour & museum visit
- Maison Gainsbourg experience, and many others.
The French Revolution
- Exclusive French Revolution scavenger hunt
- Musée de l’Armée & Napoleon’s tomb
- Musée des Archives guided tour, and many others.
Paris & World War II
- Musée de la Libération de Paris guided tour
- Mémorial de Shoah
- Musée du Service de Santé des Armées, and many others.
Dark Paris
- The Catacombs tour
- Exclusive Pere Lachaise ghost hunt
- La Conciergerie
- Musée de la Préfecture de Police, and many others.
French & Fashion
- the famous Grands Magasins ‘Printemps, Galeries Lafayettes…)
- LV Dream
- Galérie Dior
- Fondation Azzedine Alaïa, and many others.
What if I want to be there for a specific theme?
We recommend getting in touch with ACCORD Paris before you book. Let them know the dates you’d like to join them and which theme or themes you’re interested in, and they will do their best to cater for your needs. The advantage of having very small classes is that the teaching staff can be relatively flexible when it comes to giving the students what they want from the experience.
How far in advance should I book?
The disadvantage of having very small classes is that the course will get fully booked, so we recommend booking as far ahead as possible to secure your place on this new French Culture and Civilisation course. The earlier you book, the more time the management team at ACCORD must book the experiences you will enjoy during your time with us. For example, attractions and experiences like the Catacombs or Le Cordon Bleu cookery demonstrations have very limited availability and tickets are only released at certain times, so knowing how many students are booked on the course well in advance enables us to secure tickets!
When will I get my timetable?
You will receive your timetable a couple of weeks before you arrive. That way you can see which afternoons you have available and can make plans to explore Paris yourself or book tickets to any attractions you want to visit during your free time.
When can I book?
Bookings are open now for courses starting in January 2027 and throughout 2027.
You can book your course online or contact us at info@activelanguages.co.uk to secure your place on this exciting new French course or any other French course in France.
