France has hosted foreign students for centuries who want to study and learn French in cities where the language originated. Today France hosts hundrends of French schools with thousands of students taking courses in numerous cities all over the country. France truly is one of the most popular locations where students have historically learned French.

Today France is the largest country in Europe The country is bounded at its northern border by the English Channel , the northeast boder by Belgium and Luxembourg, the eastern border by Germany, Italy, and Switzerland., the southern borderby the Mediterranean, the southwestern border by Spain and Andorra, and the western border by the Atlantic Ocean. France is a great jumping off point to any number of these countries once you are done with your French studies and want to learn more about other parts of Europe. French students can find beautiful surroundings throughout the country inclunding massive mountain ranges including the Alps and the Pyrenees to the stunning Loire, Rhone, and Dordogneriver valleys. France also provides a calm rolling countryside in Normandy and on the Atlantic coast. Each area of France offers a diverse landscape and many students return to study French in different regions and at different French schools so they cal experience all the country has to offer.

The French landscapes range from lofty mountain plateaus to flourishing farmland, small towns to modern boulevards. The country encompasses parts of northern and southern Europe. The Brittany region holds claim to a its Celtic maritime heritage, the Mediterranean has its sunbelt, you will also find the Germanic Alsace-Lorraine, and the dominating mountains of the Auvergne and Pyrenees. The capital city Paris is both the center and heart of the country. It holds a large supply of France's rich culture and lively heartbeat. Other cities range from Lille, which is one of France's northern industrial centers to Marseille, the largest port on the Mediterranean coast. The cultural differences are quite distinct when comparing the north and south as well as the countryside and cityscape. The French people live different lives as it is what they have come to love about thier particular region.

Students who are taking French courses in France have to ask themselves how much can I see in the limited time I have in this country. If you haven't already been there or are not studying there, then you must at some point make it to Paris, capital of France. This is one of the of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world. Paris lies on both banks of the Seine. Paris has the wide, tree-lined Champs-Elysées , sidewalk cafés, magnificent monuments, Notre Dame Cathedral, world-famous art museums such as the Louvre, chic shops, impeccable cuisine, cabarets, and the Eiffel Tower. Not far from Paris are the elegant palaces of Versailles, Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte. If you are learned a little French, then it is very easy to get around the city. Even if you are just starting your French course you will not struggle much with the menus or ticket booths in this cosmopolitan cities. A2Z Languages offers two of some of the best French schools in France, right in the heart of the city within walking distance or a quick metro ride to all sites of interest.

As you look to the north and east of Paris you will find the coastal provinces of Normandy and Brittany. Both regions have are remote with craggy coastlines and immense forests. This area offers a great location to study in France if you want fewer tourists. The ancient Druids once reigned over this area. Many visitors have learned a little about the mystical history of France by visiting the rock formations created by the druids called menhirs. Many soldiers stormed the beaches along these coasts in World War II and you will still find the towering Abbey of Mont St. Michel standing immensly above the ocean. Students who would like to study in this region can choose a French courses at the school in Brest.

To the south of Paris, France you will find a fertile land with calm weather and the start of the Loire Valley. Much of the French Renaissance was centered around this part of France. Many kings and courtesans came from neighboring Paris to build massive chateaus among the stunning beauty of there area. Many of these retreats are still in standing today can can be toured by visitors. Students that want to study French in the Loire Valley can visit our great French school in Tours. The province of Burgundy lies to the south each of Paris and is well known for its wine and French cuisine.

Once you reach Lyon you will find a changing landscape. The land and air is much dryer and the sun beats down a lot harder. You will start to see many olive groves which are everywhere in the Mediterranean area of France. Lyon lies at the meeting point of the of the Rhone and Saonne rivers. Its biggest attributes include world class silk and remants from the Roman empire. Many consider Lyon to offer the height of French cuisine. The food you will find at local restaurants is very comforting and not as elaborate as food in Paris. Some students come to Lyon to learn the culinary arts of the area after studying in the French school of neighboring Vichy, France.

If you follow Rhone river you will be lead sout through the villages of Provence through t Avignon which lays claim to the palace of the pope, and then meandering down into the Mediterranean sea. Many people come to spend their course study in this region of France for the stunning Cote d'Azur beaches You canot miss the cities of Marseilles and Nice. Marseilles is recognized as the oldest city in France, and can be dated to the times of the ancient greeks. Marseilles also is the home to the main port of Franch. Many students and professional come to study French at the French school in the neighboring town of Aix-en-Provence, France.

Nice remains to be the biggest city on the French Riviera and is known for its luxurious amenities. There is a variety of activities and places to visit while learning French in this part of France. The French school is a close distance to a racetrack, the Matisse Museum, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, plus over 10 other museums, nightclubs, tennis courts, water-skiing, and scores of top notch hotels and restaurants. You will also find immense boardwalk called the Promenade des Anglais that runs along the beautiful beach and shining waterfront.