With its blend of urban vitality, elegance, clement weather, stunning coastal setting and its carnival, Nice seemed like the perfect choice of destination for a French ‘séjour linguistique’.

On Sunday 18th February, 26 students ranging from Year 9 to Upper Sixth, accompanied by Mme Stuart, Mme Helm and Mme Arrowsmith, arrived promptly at Bedford train station, full of anticipation for their adventure on the Côte d’Azur.

All the students enjoyed an enriching experience, immersing themselves in French, staying with local families and enjoying French tuition at the Alpha B language school each morning. 

Memorable moments from the trip included a guided tour of Nice, a tour of the Florian sweet factory, a train trip to Monaco, where students and staff explored the historic town including the Prince’s Palace and the Oceanographic Museum, and a very special afternoon at the Nice Carnival’s Bataille de Fleurs.

Pam (Upper Sixth) said: “Our host family was incredibly welcoming and provided us with a wealth of information about Nice. I particularly enjoyed the presence of their dog, which proved especially helpful when conversation slowed due to the language barrier. It was beneficial that they didn’t speak much English because it encouraged me to communicate effectively in French. They were genuinely kind and passionate about Nice, encouraging us to stay longer as they believed 'five days is too short for Nice'. I am inspired to revisit Nice and potentially reconnect with my host family.”

Meagan (Year 11) added: “I found the lessons highly beneficial due to the interactive exercises, which significantly improved my French skills. This experience pushed me beyond my comfort zone and I feel I've made substantial progress.”

Nora (Year 9) said: “Our host family was extremely friendly and quite talkative. We shared many humorous conversations about our families and different experiences, from which I learned various French phrases. Additionally, they prepared delicious food; I particularly enjoyed the couscous and pasta they made.”

Sophie (Upper Sixth) reflected: “I thoroughly enjoyed all our day trips, particularly our visits to Nice and Monaco. However, my absolute favourite was le Carnaval, themed around pop culture this year. The music and costumes at La Bataille de Fleurs reflected this theme, offering a diverse range of characters to observe.”

View photos from the trip here.