French Immersion with Eliane near Carcassonne
Discover transformative language experiences centered on immersion, culture, and meaningful interaction with local teachers in France.
What to expect during your French immersion?
€1900 Per Week
Lessons: 15 hours
Excursions/tours: 2 or 5
Meals: 2 per day (Breakfast + Lunch) shared with us a light meal tray in the evening
Room: Private Appartement
Max. guests: 1 to 5 traveling together
Teaches kids: Age 16 and up
Book your stay with Eliane in Carcassonne in the department of Aude in her beautiful house. Enjoy a peaceful stay in a small village just 5 minutes from Carcassonne by car. Or for the most courageous, take the cycle path which connects this beautiful medieval city to the small village of Pezens where Eliane and her family will welcome you.
Your French Immersion Teachers and Hosts
Bonjour et bienvenue chez nous !
About Eliane
My name is Eliane, and I live in a typical small French town located only one hour away from Toulouse airport and 10 minutes away from Carcassonne.
French is my mother tongue, but I’m also fluent in English. I am not only a certified FLE teacher but I am also a legal advisor. Indeed, before I became an immersion teacher, I worked in a law firm, so I’m familiar with that world as well. I love interacting with people and talk about French culture and history too. I also love to paint and cook. It’s been a while now that I started my immersion program and for nothing in the world I would change that. I have so much fun with my students. What I enjoyed the most about it, is that most of my students become very good friend and I’m always sad to see them leave.
Meet the Family
I live with my husband Benjamin, our daughters Elena and Lili-Anne (who you will meet but may not see often because Elena goes to school and Lili goes to the nanny) : we have a beautiful cozy house. Let’s not forget our dog: Okami. He is super friendly and really sweet: my students love him.
Benjamin who’s also a French teacher for English speakers, works with me, so you will see him at breakfast during lunch or the outings and may help during the lessons. Of course he is fluent in English but he always takes the time to speak to my students in French. He is patient and will help you find your words when you need. For those who have already come in immersion with us, you know him well, he is very attentive and helps my students whenever he can to perfect their diction and their understanding of French.
As you may have understood, a real small family business! We are here to help you learn, practice and improve your French.
Why Choose Us?
We will welcome you in our house in Pezens, a pretty little village just a few minutes away from the ramparts of the medieval city of Carcassonne. You will stay on the ground floor of our house (entirely dedicated to our very dear students) with independant access to the front and back of the house, which will allow you to enjoy your privacy.
When you come to our house, it’s not just to take French lessons but to enter our world for a week or more. We welcome you into our family, you will share moments of laughter and sometimes debate. Our daughter will probably try to jump into your arms and our dog will try to coax you into getting a treat. Come visit us and experience a true immersion in French language, culture and most of all a French family. Our motto is: « faites comme chez vous ! » (Our home is your home).
«They are such a kind family that I can’t imagine learning French anywhere else.»
Kimberly, USA
« I could not have asked for kinder or friendlier hosts and I would recommend them to anyone. »
John, USA
« I recommend it highly to anyone considering an immersion stay. I loved, loved, LOVED it! »
Katie, USA
Ces témoignages sont de vrais retours d’anciens participants, recueillis après leur séjour d’immersion.
Our house is in Pezens, a lovely village which benefits a privileged living environment between the Canal du Midi and the garrigue. Everything is conveniently located within a walking distance and there is also cycling path which lead directly to Carcassonne.
We live in a beautiful house, which has been entirely renovated. We also enjoy a large private garden with a swimming pool. The student apartment is located on the ground floor of our house and gives direct access to the garden and swimming pool.
All they have to do is open the veranda (furnished for the greatest comfort of our dear students) where we can do our lessons on sunny days.
Your private accomodation in your teacher’s house
You can come alone or with your family in the Aude department in our house. You will find there your own private floor with a lot of space.
Rent one or two bedrooms (with double beds) with one bathroom, separated toilet and a small kitchen fully equipped. Your private apartment is sunny and really comfortable and opens up to both sides of the house (front and back). You’ll enjoy 2 large bedrooms with double beds, a comfortable sitting area in the veranda (which opens directly onto the garden and the swimming pool), a table with chairs, a small kitchen and a bathroom with a walk-in shower, a sink and a separate toilet.
The kitchen area is small but functional – anyway, I do most of the cooking in the big house! But it’s nice for students to have a small kitchenette for snacks and coffee.
You will also have direct access to a small relaxing / gym room where you will find a Elliptical trainer, an exercise bike, two yoga mats and other sports accessories. I also installed a table with two chairs, a couch and a small library with some French books you can use for practice or for homework (for those who want some). 😉
Learn French In Occitanie South of France
Pezens is a charming little village next to the Medieval city of Carcassonne and many sites of great natural beauty (such as the Gouffre de Cabrespine for example), many castles, and several of the most beautiful villages in France, halfway between Toulouse and Narbonne, in the Aude region of France.
We can of course visit Carcassonne, a beautiful city with, among other things, its impressive Medieval City, Cavayere Lake for a refreshing break, or enjoy the atmosphere of local life in the heart of the Bastide Saint Louis district, a site with a remarkable heritage.
If you wish to discover our local culinary culture, we can organize visits and tastings of wines, olive oil, vinegar, and chocolates.
If you are interested in nature, There are lot of beautiful sites in this region. Like the Gouffre of Cabrespine, Limousis Caves, the Canal du Midi and beautiful hikes to do…
We can also visit some of the most beautiful villages of France like, Caunes Minervois, Aragon, Minerve…
For longer outings (concerning the immersion program 2), we could drive to Narbonne, Toulouse, Lagrasse, Fontfroide or to Gruissan and it’s historical site. Let me know what interests you: there is plenty to do around here.
Practical Info About Your French Immersion Homestay
Pezens is only at one our drive from Toulouse airport, and I can arrange to have you pick up if needed. If you take the train, I recommend Carcassonne which is very close to Pezens and I will be at the station waiting for you.
Since in our village you can find everything you need (a grocery store, a pizzeria, a restaurant, a pharmacy, a butcher, a bakery) you don’t need to rent a car although we recommend you do if you wish to be more independent and enjoy all there is to do in this beautiful region of France.
Should you not rent a car, I’ll be happy to drive you around, but I will have to ask for a gas fee. And know that we provide you with bicycles, if you want to venture into the surrounding villages and towns. Pick up at Toulouse airport can also be arranged. Of course, if you book our second option you will not need a car, because we take care of everything.
There is good Wifi and cell reception throughout the house.
You are welcome to smoke regular cigarettes outside should you wish to, but please don’t smoke inside.
I love to cook and I cook all sorts of food: typical French cuisine of course, but also gourmet ethnic food. I enjoy picking up fresh produce at the farm in season. With your guidance, I will also be happy to adapt my cooking to your specific diet: I’m always eager to learn new recipes.
Because we have a dog, unfortunately, we cannot accept your pet.
The Different Immersion Programs We Offer
The goal of our immersion programs is to help you develop your french as much as possible, not only thanks to the lessons but also thanks to all the opportunities you will have to practice your French with me of course, but also with Benjamin (my husband), the various merchants and guides in our region. They know us and know that our immersion students are here to train. So we really make sure to optimize your environment as much as possible to help you with your French. We will all be at your disposal to correct you when necessary and of course desired and to help you discover the local French culture.
For this, we offer two options :
| What’s included | Option 1 | Option 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Lessons | 15 hours of lessons | 15 hours of lessons |
| French practice | More than 25 hours | More than 35 hours |
| Accommodation | 6 night (prefered arrival on Sunday afternoon, departure before 11am on Saturday) | 6 night (prefered arrival on Sunday afternoon, departure before 11am on Saturday) |
| Pick up / drop off | X | At Toulouse or Carcassonne airport, or Carcassonne Station |
| Meals | From Monday to Friday Breakfast and lunch shared with us and a light meal tray (soup or salad) brought in your accommodation for diner | From Monday to Saturday Breakfast shared with us / From Monday to Friday lunch shared with us and From your arrival to Friday evening a full meal tray (dish / cheese / dessert) brought in your accommodation |
| Refreshments | x | Your fridge full of refreshments during your stay |
| Welcoming drink | x | Welcoming drink upon your arrival on Sunday |
| Visits / activities | 2 | 5 |
Contact Eliane
Please write a detailed message for the teacher including:
1. Whether you’ll be traveling by yourself or with friends/family (and if applicable the number of people just staying at the teacher or also taking classes and a bit more about them)
2. The duration of your desired immersion stay and whether you are flexible about the immersion dates
3. A few details about yourself: your hobbies, your French learning goal, the kind of immersion you’d like (little/lots of homework, outdoor or more indoor activities), any food allergies or other problems you may have. The teachers will be opening their own home to you and although they’ll ask you more questions if they are able to fit you in, knowing a bit about you from the start would be really helpful and a huge gain of time.
★ Reviews from Immersion Students ★
Michael, December 2025
Option 2
I just spent one week with Eliane and her family for Option 2. It was my first time doing an immersion program, and outside of the reviews that I read I didn’t really know what to expect. I can safely say that my stay exceeded expectations, a high bar to clear given how glowing all of the reviews are. Eliane is very adaptive to the needs of her students, and will work with you to figure out what you want in order to get the most out of your week with her. (…)
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For me, I wanted to focus as much as possible on conversational French, and I had many opportunities to participate actively in conversations with Eliane, her husband Benjamin, and his brother William. We began each morning over breakfast, where conversation would last for over three hours, and then continued after a short break over lunch that Eliane had prepared for us. The afternoon excursions were also great occasions to continue practicing speaking while getting to experience some French culture while visiting some of the beautiful surrounding villages. The number of hours I got to spend speaking and listening to French spoken by native speakers was invaluable and not something I can get back home. Even though my French was rusty, Eliane, Benjamin and William are all so friendly and made me feel very comfortable speaking, and I think the confidence I gained speaking will help me to continue to make progress with my French. Eliane was also a very observant teacher, and incorporated short lessons toward the end of our breakfast conversations to work on points of the French language that were giving me particular trouble, like the correct usage of the subjunctive.
The excursions were fantastic and made this a true cultural immersion program in addition to the language immersion. Three were with Benjamin and two were with Eliane. Benjamin, like Eliane, is also a great conversationalist, and I had a lot of fun talking to him about life in France and in general. I went to the Cité Medieval in Carcassonne, Montolieu, a tour/tasting at the vinaigrerie in Lagrasse, a wine tour/tasting at the Château de Pennautier, and a hike in Moussoulens. I had a great time at all of them, but Lagrasse really stands out for being such a beautiful, quintessential French village and for the uniqueness of getting to do a vinegar tasting, which I would have never thought was a thing. All in all, I can’t recommend the immersion program with Elaine highly enough.
I can’t think of a better way to improve your French while also getting to experience some of the cultural richness France has to offer. I left feeling like I had made new friends, and hope to see them all again soon.
Katie, October 2025
Option 2
When I first considered an immersion week I was a little unsure – what would it be like to stay with a family that I don’t know? Especially one quite a bit younger than me?
But, I need not have worried – it was actually like staying with friends – but also friends who could help me improve my French and show me a little bit of French culture. Just what I wanted.(…)
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After joining the main house, from my self-contained area, my days typically began with a lovely welcome from Eliane and Okami, the gorgeous dog with whom I fell in love immediately.
Conversation with Eliane and sometimes Benjamin begins over breakfast (of yoghurt, croissants, fruit, bread… and good coffee) and continues until midday.
Eliane is very easy to talk to – we covered all kinds of subjects, both serious and lighthearted – and I learned more French from her as we talked.
Because I had requested some grammar Eliane also built this into the sessions, focussing on the areas she had identified as weaker areas for me, and I found these extremely useful.
At lunchtime we shared a nutritious meal and then there was usually time for a break, when I could do my own thing, catch up on emails, et cetera, before the afternoon outings.
The outings/visits were mostly with Benjamin and included a Vinegary, an Olive farm and a trip to the impressive old town of Carcassone.
All very interesting. Another good host, Benjamin always took care to ensure that I understood what was written or spoken at the visit and that I was enjoying the experience.
After a full day, Eliane would deliver another nutritious meal to my apartment for me to enjoy before I settled in to watch TV or do my ‘homework’ (which I had willingly agreed to).
I have only good things to say about the week and the two lovely hosts who work hard to ensure a great experience for their guests.
Thank you both x
Jennie, October 2025
Option 1
My week-long immersion course with Eliane is the most productive thing I’ve done to improve my French language skills.
I approached the first day with some trepidation but spending time with Eliane and her family, conversing in French, is like spending time with friends.
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Eliane ensured I had a mix of informal conversation, during which she gently corrected my French and gave me useful tips on pronunciation and vocabulary, and formal exercises which focused on improving my areas of weakness. She is encouraging and patient while being very professional and knowledgeable.
The excursions to a local winery and to Carcassonne were excellent and provided further opportunities to practise speaking and listening in French. On my free afternoons, I enjoyed long walks along the Canal du Midi and to the village of Pennautier, and explored Pezens village.
The accommodation provided is private and very comfortable; the meals, prepared by Eliane, were delicious and Eliane’s family – Benjamin, William, Elena and baby Lili-Anne – are delightful.
I highly recommend this course; it’s a great way to improve language skills while immersing yourself in French life.
French immersion France 