French courses from Intermediate to Advanced

So French at Sylvie's
by the Loire


Learn French in the heart of the Loire Valley in Fontevraud-l'Abbaye
near Saumur. At last you are going to learn how to speak French fluently in real conversations.

Exclusive French immersion

Exceptional stays
intensive immersion
1 or 2 weeks
Optional cookery workshops

Themed French immersion

French and art de vivre workshops

French on-line courses

"FLAIR to learn how to speak French fluently" - The original series in 12 video episodes

"Le français In Situ" - practical themed lesson files filmed in real conversations

French face to face courses

For resident expats or tourists

Private, duo or group tuition
Skype or Zoom sessions

Conversation around a meal
Professional French

Welcome to Sylvie's language school

Language school in France

Parfum de France  is a language school located only 15 minutes away from Saumur. Its manager, Sylvie Reeves who is a French native and also perfectly bilingual in English and French , has been teaching French and English for over 35 years. She has dedicated her passion for languages to you!

Parfum de France offers a wide range of top-quality French and English courses tailored to corporate or individual students. The emphasis is on effective communication in practical situations. The school is based at Sylvie's home next door to the royal Abbey of Fontevraud.

 

Welcome gift

Avant-Première : your free French course
in 6 episodes

Learn French in real situations with Avant-Première.

Dive into the sensations of France.
Learn how to speak in true conversations with local French native speakers.
All the course videos were filmed in the magical Loire

French courses

Exclusive immersion

 

At Parfum de France you will quickly progress thanks to the combination of intensive French learning with the intimate discovery of our local heritage (architecture, wine and gastronomy, craftmanship) All with constant support from your teacher.

For all our Intensive Immersion Courses , whether they are general, professional or themed language, you will be accommodated at your teacher's home in the 4-star gîte la Samsonelle.

Click on the image below to read The Times article to find out about Parfum de France’s non academic and convivial approach when it comes to teach French.

Click here to discover the article ” Learning the lingo” from Living France ​magazine

For your immersion, you will be welcomed at Sylvie’s home, in a cosy tufa stone gite in the middle of a beautifully landscaped garden filled with flowers , cared for by Sylvie who is a passionate gardener .

Sylvie takes you with her to discover the local heritage and constantly guides you during your classes and themed outings included in the programme. ​

On-line video courses in the Loire valley

On-line video courses in the Loire Valley

"FLAIR to learn how to speak French fluently" is far more than an original virtual immersion filmed in the Loire valley in 12 episodes! It is a language and human adventure above all through which you will be literally transformed.

With Le français In Situ experience a dip into an e-programme of essential themed practical files enabling you to learn how to speak French fluently.

Both these programmes are accessible for life and are virtual immersions where you embark on the privileged discovery of our local heritagey (architecture, wines, gastronomy and local crafts, all this with the constant support of your teacher.

FLAIR

You will gain in confidence and conviviality thanks to the fascinating episodes of
" FLAIR to learn how to speak French fluently"
Students of French like you show you how to just do that, how to speak in real conversations through an unusual story thread.

LE FRANÇAIS IN SITU

Le "français In Situ ", c'is the ideal programme to learn through themed practical lesson files the French that you really need
Le "français In Situ " was filmed in France with learners of French like you and French native speakers acting as coaches. Really true to life!

French classes

Face to face courses

By choosing tailor-made individual classes, you will have quicker and better  results. As you are the only student, the lessons will go at your pace.

With duo classes, you will exchange with another student and gain from a real opportunity to interact in French.

 Skype or Zoom sessions are ideal for those who seek to really gain confidence in speaking

" French and art of living" workshops are offered throughout the year, combined with regional seasonal events.

You can also learn French Around a meal with Sylvie. 

Clients say

Our reviews

I have attended over twenty language schools in ten countries to fulfill my life dream to learn French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Russian. Sylvie´s Parfum de France was, by far, the most luxurious, relaxing, and pleasant of all these schools. Sylvie is a natural born host whose enthusiasm for showing her student/guests the beauty of the Western Loire Valley is contagious.
She is also a skilled language instructor and her gite is well-equipped to accommodate her guests in comfort and style. I would highly recommend Parfum de France to anyone over the age of 50 who wants to learn French in comfort while discovering the fascinating sites in the Western Loire Valley region.

Paul Heller, Fifty Plus Nomads,
www.fiftyplusnomad.com

  • star rating  One week of immersion or two? I opted for two which turned into two extraordinary weeks. Daily morning one-on-one classes with Sylvie followed by afternoon excursions, meeting her friends (and... read more

    avatar thumb 258valerieo
    4 December 2022
  • star rating  merveilleux - "les Etincelles" sont une veritable decouverte et une merveilleuse realisation.
    A découvrir absolument.

    avatar thumb bernard b
    29 August 2022
  • star rating  We rendez-vous each week with Sylvie for personalised french tuition. Sylvie's positive but patient style is very encouraging and aids learning.

    billmG1505FK
    27 January 2021
  • star rating  Sylvie est une professeure que tous les élèves voudraient avoir ! Elle est dynamique, sympathique, très à l'écoute et nous fait retrouver la confiance en soi. Ses cours (d'Anglais pour... read more

    avatar thumb JOCHE37
    26 January 2021
  • star rating  J'apprends enfin l'anglais vivant ! - J'ai la chance de prendre des cours régulièrement chez Sylvie. S ma manière d'apprendre n'a rien à voir avec une leçon ! On "rentre" dans le vrai, on se met... read more

    avatar thumb NEIGHBOUR51
    26 January 2021
  • star rating  Mon séjour merveilleux! - Je recommanderais vraiment un cours avec Sylvie a Parfum de France. Je suis restée avec elle pendant une semaine en octobre. Mon séjour linguistique à Fontevraud L'Abbaye était superbe. J'ai... read more

    avatar thumb DIANE J
    10 November 2019
  • star rating  French Immersion - I am very pleased to recommend Ms. Sylvie Reeves and her Parfum de France to anyone planning a true French language immersion experience.

    Ce October, j’ai passé une semaine... read more

    avatar thumb aixenpr
    31 October 2019
  • star rating  I arrived in beautiful Fontevraud-l’Abbaye with feelings of excitement and trepidation in equal measure as I embarked on a solo week of immersion at Parfum de France . The experience... read more

    GlobeTrotting551910
    11 October 2019
  • star rating  Sylvie’s approach to teaching languages is fun and effective.
    The lessons are tailored to my individual learning style, which gives the motivation to study and the inspiration to succeed.... read more

    Jimmianne
    11 May 2019
  • star rating  Sylvie adapts her teaching to your level, your interests and your wishes in a friendly and informal setting. Perfect one on one learning for maximum progress.

    Liz S
    25 October 2018

Language tips

Our videos on YouTube

You have always dreamt of speaking French fluently  ? but you still aren’t bilingual and it is frustrating !

 My YouTube channel Parfum de France helps you to improve your French as if you were in France in true situations filmed in the Loire Valley. 

If your level is pre-intermediate, intermediate or advanced intermediate, intermédiaire, you have come to the right place where you are going to learn how to boost your confidence when you speak, you are going to find it easier to get involved in French conversations talking about your favourite topics such as the region of France you holiday in. Last but not least, you will find out about the cultural codes of our French art of living.

So don’t forget  to subscribe to my channel and click on the small bell to be notified each time I post a new video.

See you soon then!

Language school news and offers

NEWS AND OFFERS

 Parfum de France publishes news and has useful offers for your French on a regular basis..

Click on the link below to find out more .

Becoming a writer has become a reality ! Feel free to purchase my autobiography ” Quand s’élève une âme libre”

« Becoming a published writer came true last Saturday with a fabulous book signing session at home, surrounded by the close friends who kindly supported my publishing early start! They provided their help from the choice of the title to their opinion about its contents. I was able to have some feedback about my autobiography. […]

Join me in the big adventure of my first published book “When a free soul rises”

Dear Friends, dear readers The fascinating adventure of publishing my first book is moving ahead.   You can join me on this fabulous trip so dear to me by helping me to make its forthcoming publishing with the Editions Maïa, a success.   A promotional and pre-sales campaign is to be found on this link […]

Using numbers with historical dates in French

https://youtu.be/a0guDS53dJw Using numbers in French is not as easy as pie! Follow me to the chateau of Montsoreau to plug into the use of numbers with historical dates and find out about the fascinating chateau’s history Find out more about using numbers with dates in the video I have designed especially for you .You will […]

French immersion, on-line and face to face courses

Contact us