French culture and studies in a villa in France

Take a Giant Step into the French Language . Set in C.19th Villa Beaulieu, Ecole des Trois Ponts specialises in French Language Courses and Intensive French Courses for adults looking for a relaxed setting and good food in a convivial, family atmosphere. This institute is a small establishment with 20 guests etablished in 1991.

	This page includes The Birth of Ecole des Trois Ponts History of villa Beaulieu Accommodation Entertainment and Sport Getting around Roanne Certificates and Reports Non-French Studying Partners and Children [ Home Page \| French Courses \| Group Courses ] [ Test Your French ]

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This page includes

The Birth of Ecole des Trois Ponts
History of villa Beaulieu
Accommodation
Entertainment and Sport
Getting around Roanne
Certificates and Reports
Non-French Studying Partners and Children

[ Home Page | French Courses | Group Courses ]
[ Test Your French ]

Villa Beaulieu is a house with caractere and thus an ideal setting for our guests to completely immerse themselves in the French language and culture. At Ecole des Trois Ponts we maintain a high-standard of teaching in small-group classes taught by professional teachers. Between classes we would like guests to be able to relax by making the most of the villa lounche and garden and the numerous sporting and entertainment facilities located nearby. The site of Villa Beaulieu is an attractive one because of its closeness to the center of Roanne, a medium-sized city. The friendliness of the people of Roanne means they love to take time to talk; a rare quality in big cities like Paris or Lyon.

The Villa Beaulieu has new bedrooms in a nice garden and . while rooms are comfortable, they are not luxurious.

Accommodation is offered in double, twin or single rooms all with private shower & toilet.

Meals at the Villa are relaxed and convivial. Guests take all meals together in the dining room and lunch & dinner is taken with a teacher which is a pleasant way to encourage you to keep speaking French.
As French is spoken at table, a special place is set aside for complete French beginners to allow them to speak English if they wish or feel the need.
We take special care with meals as food has just as important a rôle to play as accommodation and classes in making your stay at the Villa a pleasant one.

Breakfast is varied & nutritious with a choice of cereals, fresh fruit, yogurt, white bread & jam with a toaster available to make toast if you wish.
Lunch is buffet style and includes a large choice of salads & vegetables as well as a hot dish. This leaves you the freedom to have lunch at table or take a tray & eat in the garden.
Dinner is a special time in the Villa when the chef prepares a traditional, country-style, sit-down French dinner that includes: an entrée, main dish, cheese & dessert with lots of red & white wine to wash it down with.

And for vegetarians and guests needing special diets, just let us know before you arrive so that the chef can cater to your particular needs.

Coffee, tea, herb tea & fresh fruit are permanently available on our self-service sideboard table to give you a little more of that 'at home' feeling.

The Villa'garden is a nice place to relax. The following facilities are located near the villa: A 9-hole Golf Course (clubs may be hired) + nearby Etrier Equestrian Center + ice-skating rink. the city pool. A city famous for its gastronomy, the agglomeration of Roanne (population: 120,000) has a large selection of restaurants, the most famous of which is Troisgros Restaurant. Classified 3-star Michelin, Troisgros is one of the top 10 restaurants in France. As Roanne borders on the Beaujolais and Burgundy wine areas, guests can make one or two-day car trips from Roanne to these areas while the Cotes Roannaises vineyards and wine cellars are located on the outskirts of Roanne.

You can easily walk to the shops (600 meters). Pastry shop, café, bakery, cheese and wine shops are close by. As well, a local bus to the City Center is conveniently located 5 minutes from the villa. A parking area is available for guests arriving by car and car hire is possible with Budget,Europcar, Hertz or Avis Rent-a-Car for those wishing to make trips further afield. No automatics available. Automatics available from Avis at Lyon Satolas airport if reserved in advance. Bring your international driving license if possible. A taxi from the villa to the city center costs about 10 € during the day and 12 - 15 € at night.

On completion of a course, guests are given an Ecole des Trois Ponts Certificate and a Course Report giving details of level at the end of the course.

Numerous courses and activities available at the school make for a pleasant stay for non-studying partners. a Wine-appreciation class in English is held regularly. As well the closeness of the city center (population: 120,000) for shopping and browsing, offer them numerous activities. For your partner we can investigate car shows, rugby matches in France, playing with the local hockey, bridge, basketball or canoe/kayak teams...Let us know their interests and we can try and organize this for them. Roanne is close to a well-known antique car collection museum and showroom and has numerous handicraft shops and international clubs e.g. Lions/Rotary. CHILDREN love the freedom that the large park and gardens give them. Baby-sitting and French classes can be arranged for your children if desired. Ask for details.

French culture and studies in France