A language study trip to Switzerland? Why not? Because it couldn't be easier if you want to learn French during a language study trip. To the west of us lies French-speaking Switzerland. It includes the cantons of Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Vaud and parts of the cantons of Bern and Valais. Around 2 million people live in French-speaking Switzerland. Our French-speaking compatriots are characterized not least by their hospitality. This can also be seen from the numerous language courses on offer in French-speaking Switzerland. The ideal thing about this is that you can be at your language travel destination in no time at all.
French-speaking Switzerland is a very diverse part of the country. To the west are the large cities of Geneva, Neuchâtel and Lausanne with their green agglomerations. In the south, Valais beckons with its imposing mountains and valleys, including the Matterhorn and the Dufour Peak. To the north, the Jura dominates the landscape with its vast fields, forests and meadows. Perfect conditions for an interesting and varied French language study trip to Switzerland.
Major cities in French-speaking Switzerland include Geneva, Lausanne, Biel, La Chaux-de-Fonds and Fribourg. But smaller, well-known, picturesque and romantic towns in French-speaking Switzerland also attract a large number of language travelers every year, including Yverdon-les-Bains, Avenches, Montreux, Murten and Estavayer-le-Lac. Geneva, the headquarters of the United Nations in Europe and the Red Cross, is a hub for diplomacy and banking and is a famous cosmopolitan city. If you like shopping, you should look around for offers in Geneva or Lausanne for your language study trip in Switzerland. The famous Paléo Festival on Lake Geneva or the Jazz Festival in Montreux offer musical and cultural variety during a language study trip in the summer months. If you are looking for language travel offers in a young environment where you can party the night away in bars and clubs, you will also find what you are looking for in Geneva or Lausanne. All cities in French-speaking Switzerland offer a very good infrastructure consisting of train, bus, streetcar and boat, the best way to travel around Switzerland. Generally speaking, you can get to almost every conceivable place in French-speaking Switzerland by public transport.
There are plenty of opportunities for excursions and activities in addition to the French language course during a language study trip in Switzerland. For example, how about cycling on one of the region's beautiful cycle paths, a tour of Chillon Castle, five kilometers south-east of Montreux, a hike through vineyards or a trip to Lake Geneva or the huge Lac Leman? You can definitely enjoy beautiful landscapes and experience a lot in western Switzerland.
Various excursions to France, Italy or German-speaking Switzerland are also possible. For example, you can travel from Biel by boat on the Aare to the picturesque town of Solothurn. There is certainly no shortage of attractive leisure activities during a French language course in Switzerland.
The best way to travel through western Switzerland is by train. You can take the Intercity (IC) from any major city in German-speaking Switzerland to Geneva, Lausanne, Biel or Neuchâtel. From there, you can continue by regional train, Interregio (IR), bus or streetcar to your chosen language travel destination. You can find the best connection quickly and easily online at www.sbb.ch.
Tickets for the outward or return journey, or rather a ticket for the entire SBB network, cost around 60 francs with a Half-Fare travelcard. Without a Half-Fare travelcard, the price is twice as much. Depending on the duration of the language trip, it may also be worth buying a monthly season ticket for the region or even the whole of Switzerland.
Of course, it is also possible to travel by car from German-speaking Switzerland. This allows you to remain flexible during your language study trip in French-speaking Switzerland. However, it is important that you check in advance whether a parking space is available near the language school or accommodation.
The journey takes between one and five hours, depending on the place of departure. This makes it possible to attend shorter and intensive French courses lasting one week.
If you have more time available, you can also consider other language travel destinations. You can find popular language travel offers in our neighboring country France, in Canada or on the exotic islands of Guadeloupe, Tahiti or Martinique.
Unlike in German-speaking Switzerland, the weather in French-speaking Switzerland is not very uniform. This is due to the Jura mountains in the north and the Alps in the southern part of western Switzerland. The wind is thus channeled and strengthens towards the west. Lake Geneva contributes to a warming effect, which means that temperatures are warmest in the Lake Geneva region. Otherwise, the weather does not differ significantly from that in German-speaking Switzerland.
There are several renowned language schools with good French courses in French-speaking Switzerland. They offer standard or intensive courses, as is the case abroad. Standard courses comprise around 20 weekly lessons, intensive courses 25. If you wish, you can also book combined courses with a mix of private lessons and group lessons at some language schools. Numerous other individual offers are based on different needs, learning levels and requirements, so anyone planning a French language study trip to Switzerland is sure to find a suitable offer. You can compare the different schools on our website and have offers and quotes sent to you.
French courses in French-speaking Switzerland can also be booked for just one week!
As French-speaking Switzerland is part of Switzerland, it is self-explanatory that you do not need a visa or have to make any special arrangements.
Nevertheless, you should carry an ID with you at all times during your language study trip, as identification is compulsory in Switzerland.
Western Switzerland is considered very safe. So there is nothing to worry about. Only in the cities of Geneva, Lausanne and Montreux are there a relatively high number of pickpockets. You should therefore always have your wallet well stowed away there.
The cost of language courses in French-speaking Switzerland depends on the intensity of the course, whether private lessons are included in the course and whether or not accommodation is booked. On average, a standard language course without accommodation can be booked from around CHF 600 per week.
You should always compare the offers, as prices can vary greatly. This way you can find a language course offer that meets your expectations and budget.
Linda, deine Weiterbildungsfinderin
