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Bonjour!
I’m Prisca and this is Guillaume, we created Idiom’Arts in 2016, an immersive French school, after years of travel through various countries such as Malaysia, Australia and Spain.
I hold a Master’s degree in teaching French as a Foreign Language (FFL) and aim to create diverse French teaching experiences, much like I had as a global traveller for over a decade.
Our approach is based on a fundamental belief that language learning happens when you are fully immersed into a welcoming community and everyday life, and Bagnères-de-Bigorre is the perfect place to recreate that!
Where are we?
Bagnères-de-Bigorre is found in the heart of the French Pyrénées.
It’s a charming city and welcoming community filled with wonderful people where you will find plenty of activities in every season.
Whether you love the great outdoors (hiking, trails, skiing) are looking for a culinary experience (cooking lessons, food tours, local farmers market) or simply need a little rest & relaxation (hot springs, massages) you can find just about everything here.
Why learn French?
- It allows you to discover an incomparable cultural universe: fashion, gastronomy, literature, etc.
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It is a musical and rich language that allows expressing a multitude of nuances,
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Today a single language is not enough,
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Because you learn all your life and it's an opening to the world!
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French is, along with English, the only language spoken on the 5 continents,
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It is a real asset for a professional career,
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It is the language of international relations,
Join the 300 million French speakers around the world!
Why learn French in immersion?
Immersion places you directly in an environment where the target language is spoken constantly. It forces you to think, listen, and speak in that language every day. This constant exposure allows for faster and more natural language acquisition, as you instinctively assimilate nuances, pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, much like a child learning their mother tongue. You learn idiomatic expressions and everyday words that aren't always found in textbooks.
Studies show that one month of immersion can be equivalent to a year of classroom learning.
So, if you’re looking to work on your French more intensely, you can enroll at Idiom'Arts school in sessions that include 3 to 7 hours of lessons per day for a week or more. We offer private, or group lessons, and can help book activities in advance so you can put your learning into practice. Lastly we will help you find a place to stay, whether that is with locals, a nearby hotel, or in an apartment on your own.
Ask us, we take care of everything!
What our students say
I attended a 4 week immersion with Idiomarts in March 2024. This was my second immersion studying with Prisca. The first time I attended with a friend and this second time I came on my own. Both experiences were extremely positive. Prisca puts in a lot of work in advance of the immersion to understand the learner's needs, goals and interests, and to create a program customized to suit the student. In my case, the program consisted of a mix of classroom time and activities . Activities included downhill skiing in beautiful spring conditions, hiking, aquafit classes at the community pool, an inn to inn cycling excursion with Prisca, a trip to Pau and visit to the Musee des Beaux-Arts, and participation in local group activities where we discussed subjects ranging from art to agriculture over some wine. Prisca arranged for me to stay with a delightful local couple who kindly included me in activities with their family and friends, helped me with my French, and made me feel very welcome and at home. I found people in Bagneres de Bigorre in general to be friendly, welcoming and supportive of my efforts to learn the language. For example, staff and other patrons at cafes in Bagneres de Bigorre happily helped me out with my homework and debated among themselves the finer points of French grammar. Staff at the local pool went out of their way to help me buy a bathing cap from a vending machine when I arrived without one and explain the system in the change room. The lady I stayed with last year invited me in for a cup of tea, and chat. The librarian at the local library took time to me to pick out a book to read that was suitable for my level. The atmosphere in the community is relaxed, and friendly. In terms of the instruction, Prisca is a patient and thoughtful teacher, and she explains difficult concepts in as clear and simple a way as possible. She gave me a manageable list of concrete things to work on after my return home, which is proving to be very useful. On the way home, I spent a few days in rural Quebec and despite the different accents, I found I was able to understand and communicate with people in French more easily than previously. I have definitely gained confidence and fluency in speaking and my comprehension has improved. I would recommend Prisca and Idiomarts to anyone who wants to truly immerse themselves in French language and culture, and to take their French to the next level.