For the month of November, I attended L’Institut de Francais in Villafranche~sur~Mer, France. For years, I’ve been dreaming about this intensive language program, so I was very happy for this opportunity.
On the first day all of the students take oral and written tests to establish which class is most appropriate for them. Starting the 2nd day, only French is allowed at the school, 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. I was placed into the Debutante 2 class. Above me were 2-3 levels {each} of intermediate and advanced classes. There were about 60 people enrolled in this session.
The school is in a beautiful old villa that overlooks the roofs of Villafranche and the west side of St. Jean~Cap~Ferrat.
There is student housing available within walking distance of L’institute, most of the students I spoke to were very happy with their apartments. I drove to the school from Eze each morning, and used the garden gate to enter the property. Climbing these stairs each morning,
past the bright flowers and citrus trees,
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I was usually mentally reviewing a few French phrases to use at breakfast.
“Passez-moi l’eau s’il vous plait?”
Le Petite dejeneuer was an opportunity to get our mouths and brains working in French. Pots of hot coffee and tea were on the tables as well as petite pastries, yogurt, cheeses and this marvelous marmalade, made from the orange trees on the property.
I looked forward to this taste of bitter orange, especially on the chocolate croissants or mild cheeses, every morning.
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If I were home right now, I would probably be up to my elbows making jars of Rosy Pink Grapefruit Marmalade for Christmas gifts.
If you are looking for something to share with your favorite hosts and hostesses, you may want to give this recipe a try.
My {not so} secret ingredient is a dash of rose of water added to the marmalade. For next year, I think I’ll give the recipe a little twist and make orange marmalade with a splash of orange blossom water instead. If you want to try it at home, just replace the grapefruit with orange and rose water with orange blossom water, let me know how it turns out!
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| Rosy Pink Grapefruit Marmalade, the perfect hostess gift |
Lunches were 3~4 courses of traditional French fare, served family style. An instructor sat at each of the tables to keep the conversation flowing {in French, of course}. It was strange for me to spend so much time sitting, and I was somewhat surprised that I didn’t gain any weight, given that I didn’t exercise for a month. Looking back, however, I think I just didn’t eat that much, because I was always nervous I would be called on during the meal!
If you are interested in significantly improving your French language skills, I highly recommend this program. It was very hard and sometimes humiliating, but also lots of fun.
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Okay, random shot here, but I just loved the Lapis Lazuli tops on the heaters in the tiled bathrooms and had to share. Wouldn’t this stone look beautiful surrounding a large white tub in the perfect blue and white bathroom?
A bientôt!
Good for you! I have sent many students of mine to l'Institut de Français in Villefranche over the years. Most have enjoyed being challenged every day; especially in such a beautiful setting! I know it is "pas facile," however, so félicitations for sticking with it. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)