What is the minimum age allowed to attend the courses?
You need to be 18 years old to attend the adult courses. if you are 11 to 17, please refer to our Junior web site, at http://www.atoll-france.com
What is the minimum level of French required to attend courses?
We accept students of any level of French, from Complete Beginner to Advanced. However, please note the special arrival dates reserved for complete beginner students.
France is one hour (+1) ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), with a daylight saving time of one hour, eg :
When it is 12noon in Ankara, it is 1.00pm in Antibes.
When it is 12noon in Moscow, it is 10.00am in Antibes.
When it is 12noon in Calcutta, it is 7.30am in Antibes.
When it is 12noon in Tokyo, it is 4.00am in Antibes.
When it is 12noon in San Francisco, it is 9.00pm in Antibes.
When it is 12noon in New York City, it is 6.00pm in Antibes.
When it is 12noon in Rio de Janeiro, it is 3.00pm in Antibes.
For more information, see timeanddate.com
What's the best time to book my stay?
The best time to book your stay is as soon as possible. Very often, our students book their summer stay 6 months in advance. By booking early, you have the widest range of courses and accommodation to choose from (our most popular options are booked up quickly!) and, in return, we have the best opportunity of meeting all your needs and requests. This ensures that you are completely satisfied with your booking.
What are the opening hours of the main office?
Our 'Le Port' office is open Monday to Friday, from 8.30am-12.30pm and 2.00pm-5.30pm, where Booking Officers are available to take your booking or answer questions. From June to October inclusive, a member of staff will be also available on Sundays. Please leave a message on our voicemail system when the office is closed, and we shall return your call on the next business day.
The office telephone number is : +33 (0)970 407 434, and we can also be reached at any time by fax +33 (0)811 035 167 or by email (info@learn-French.fr )
Will I need a visa to study in France?
For any information regarding visas, passports and authorizations to stay in France, please consult a French consulate or embassy in your country.
To find out the address of the French consulate in your country, visit :
European students should bring their European health card.
A civil liability insurance is not mandatory but strongly recommended
Arrivals are scheduled for Sunday and departures for Saturday. It is however possible to add extra days to your stay.
Please inform us of your time and place of arrival, especially if you have reserved a transfer
What is the maximum number of students per class?
12 for the Standard Course
6 for the Intensive courses
4 for the Mini-group conversation
4 for the Executive Course
8 for the Options
How can I get from the airport or the railway station to my residence or family?
The transfer from the airport (Nice Cote d'Azur) or railway station (Antibes or Juan les Pins) is included in the price of a family accommodation program. Please provide us with your information details (flight number and ETA) in advance.
If you are accommodated in a residence, the transfer can be organized as a supplement for 45 € one way from/to the airport (90 € return trip) and 15 € one way from/to the railway station (29 € return trip). Please let us know as soon as possible if you need us to org anise a transfer for you.
What material/books will I need to attend the courses?
Books and pedagogical documents will be provided by the Centre International d'Antibes. All you will need to bring is a notebook and a pen!
What is the average age of the students?
Around 30 years of age. Depending on the period of the years, it can fluctuate up and down
When is the best time of the year to attend courses in a long term program?
The CIA offers very interesting discounts to long term students right before and after the summer time. If you can book your courses within these days, you might be able to save a lot of money whilst benefiting from the same usual facilities.
Is it possible to book courses only?
All the courses we offer with accommodation are also available if you don't need accommodation. You will attend classes with students accommodated in our residences or with our host families.
We are a group of friends/colleagues who would like to attend some courses with the CIA. Could we benefit from a special discount?
Depending on the period of the year and the number of people in your group, you might be able to benefit from our special 'Constituted Groups' rates. Please Contact us directly for further information.
Is it possible to book accommodation only?
No. It is only possible to book an accommodation if you book a course program at the same time.
You offer transfer from/to the airport/railway station. Do you also offer flights?
No, we do not offer flights or any kind of transportation from your country to France. You will need to contact a travel agent for that.
What is the weather like on the Cote d'Azur? What should I pack in my suitcase?
Please refer to our page on the weather to answer this question. But know anyway that it is very likely to be sunny during your stay!
Will I be able to receive/check emails during my stay? What about telephone calls and faxes?
You will be able to send/receive emails or to browse on the internet in the cyberspace located in the 'Garret' Residence or on the computers available at 'Le Port' school (for a fee). Antibes and Cannes also offer many cyber cafés available to anyone.
Regarding telephone calls, our high standard residences all have a private telephone in the bedrooms, where you can receive or make calls from. You will also find public telephones in our medium standard residences, or around town in Antibes and Cannes. You will need a card, sold at the reception.
A fax machine is also available to our students (for a fee).
Which country do most of the students come from?
See pie chart below :
I am in my forties. What kind of accommodation would you recommend?
Firstly, know that you will have to ask for single room accommodation, unless simultaneous reservations are made.
As for the type of accommodation, we would recommend you a high standard residence (medium standard residences welcome lots of 18 to 25 years old students) or a host family.
What is the average length of stay?
3 weeks, for the short term programs.
The Centre International d'Antibes advises students to stay for more than a week, as it is too short a time to notice any progress in your French speaking. If you can only attend courses for one week, you will have to go for Intensive 1 courses.
Students who enroll in a long term program generally stay for 8 or 16 weeks, depending on the exam they prepare, or their starting level of French.
Will I be able to receive/check emails during my stay? What about telephone calls and faxes?
You will be able to send/receive emails or to browse on the internet in the cyberspace located in the 'Garret' Residence or on the computers available at 'Le Port' school (for a fee). Antibes and Cannes also offer many cyber cafés available to anyone.
Regarding telephone calls, our high standard residences all have a private telephone in the bedrooms, where you can receive or make calls from. You will also find public telephones in our medium standard residences, or around town in Antibes and Cannes. You will need a card, sold at the reception.
A fax machine is also available to our students (for a fee).
Calculate the total price of your stay!