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Sarah’s lessons are always interesting and the homework is extremely helpful. I also appreciate how specific and tailored each lesson is. During a lesson, if I don’t understand something, she finds alternatives ways to explain it. I really see my progression.
kathleen - usa / paris
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Excellent teacher, who corrects with care to build confidence. In my opinion, this is a critical skill when teaching languages that are relatively hard to pronounce.
peter - usa/Japan
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She is very patient in class, it’s very good for me to have a teacher that teaches really hard! I’m glade to be with her. She’s very nice and understood everything I need. She prepared many activities to let me understand more about what we learned, and it’s really fun.
YAXIN (14 years old)- BELGIUM/CHINA
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Thanks to Sarah, I have successfully passed the French TEF at level B2! As a native English speaker, I never thought it would be possible, but she prepared me, challenged me and kept our lessons fun and engaging. In addition, she helped me to develop key strategies to succeed on the exam, and they worked! It never would have been possible without her. I am a lot more confident with my language skills, so much so, that I am now going to prepare for the DELF, which is another one of her specialties. Besides being an excellent tutor, she is also well organized, punctual, reliable and able to adapt to my needs in real-time, all of which were just as important while under the pressures of preparing for an exam. I highly recommend Sarah for anyone who is serious about learning French or planning to take an official language exam. A++
CANDACE - Spain / USA
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Sarah has managed to restore my enjoyment of the French language. My trauma from French in the past is almost overcome 😀. The class is really great, thank you Sarah!
Lukas - SWITZERLAND
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Sarah's lessons are brilliant - she adapts to my level (B2) and is always extremely well-prepared with the perfect exercises. I would recommend Sarah to anyone and everyone!
Olivia — oxford, england
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I am taking classes to prepare for the C1 exam with Sarah and I find her great. She is very organized. We work with a document where she notes my progress. She is patient and knows how to motivate a student. I would definitely recommend her.
GUNES - Barcelona, Spain
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I love lessons with Sarah, she makes it fun and I learn a lot even though I have been speaking French for a long time!
becky - TUCSON (usa)
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I am a teacher myself, and I have taken many classes in my life and Sarah is by far one of the best teachers I have ever come across!
david - usa/mexico
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Looking for a French AP tutor? Look no further. Since my son was doing the French AP exam as a self-study, it was very important for us to have a tutor who knew the exam well and could guide him. We hit the jackpot with Sarah who is an excellent tutor for the French AP exam and successfully guided him to the highest score of 5! She knows the exam well and successfully guided my son through the exam's themes, the essay, email and presentation sections' structure, and content. She comes to class extremely well-prepared, conducts engaging lessons, gives pertinent homework, and communicates promptly. She is a dedicated teacher who teaches with enthusiasm and compassion. My son has taken French for many years, but Sarah is by far one of his favorite French tutors. Wholeheartedly recommend Sarah for any level of French teaching. She truly brings the joy in learning another language. Merci Sarah!
MANISHA - Tokyo (JAPAN)
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Sarah is a super passionate tutor who always designs her lessons carefully in order to make sure her students are well engaged. There is good balance between teaching and practicing during her lessons. She is also very patient and experienced with young kids.
Reem - londres / DUBAI
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Sarah is a superb teacher - she is friendly, helpful, encouraging, and goes the extra mile to help her students! I fully recommend Sarah. I've had lessons with her for over 4 months, and am very content with her timeliness, effort and quality of teaching. Merci beaucoup Sarah, vous m'avez beaucoup aidé et grâce à vous, j'ai réussi le Delf B2 en juin 2022!
mehreen- Genève (Suisse)
Frequently Asked Questions
What French level is required for the immersion?
A basic conversational level of French is recommended, starting from A2. Beyond that, the immersion is fully adapted to your level, from intermediate learners to advanced speakers. Some basic knowledge is helpful so you can get the most out of conversations, activities and everyday situations during your stay.
If you’re not sure whether your level is suitable, feel free to get in touch. We can talk about your French, your goals and what would make the immersion work best for you.
And if you’d like to build your confidence before coming, I also offer online French lessons to help you prepare for your stay.
What is included in the immersion price?
Your stay includes your accommodation at the château, breakfast each morning, your French coaching sessions, scheduled excursions and activities, and transportation during the programme, including pick-up and drop-off at Poitiers or Futuroscope station.
Lunches, dinners, drinks, personal expenses and entrance fees are not included unless otherwise specified.
What does a typical day look like?
It depends on the format you choose: full immersion, an intensive course, or a combination of both.
We’ll usually start the day together over breakfast in one of the château’s beautiful shared rooms, with informal conversation in French. Afterwards, we may settle into another room for a more structured lesson, or work outside if the weather allows.
At lunchtime, we might go into Poitiers together or eat somewhere close to the afternoon’s excursion. After lunch, the day could continue with a visit to a museum, château or wine cellar, a walk, a boat trip, a cultural activity or a show, depending on the programme we have designed together.
At the end of the day, we’ll return to the château and you’ll have the evening to yourself to relax and enjoy some well-earned free time by the pool, in the château grounds, or simply in your suite. If you’d like, I can also leave you a little French practice or homework for the evening.
For dinner, you can eat in your suite or choose a restaurant in Avanton, Poitiers or elsewhere nearby.
How much French will I actually speak each day?
A lot! Depending on the format you choose, you’ll have up to 30 hours of guided French immersion over the five days, combining structured lessons, conversation and real-life practice.
But French won’t stop when the lesson ends. You’ll also use it naturally throughout the day: over breakfast, during excursions, at lunch, while travelling, asking questions, reacting to what you see and simply chatting together. The aim is to make French part of the whole experience, not something that only happens in a classroom.
Can the immersion be adapted to my interests and goals?
Absolutely. Your immersion will be completely personalised around you.
Before your stay, we’ll talk about your level, your goals and the things you genuinely enjoy. I’ll then design the programme, lessons and activities accordingly — whether you’re interested in French culture, history, food and wine, art, everyday conversation, professional French, pronunciation, confidence-building or exam preparation.
No two immersions need to look the same. The idea is to create a stay that feels both useful and enjoyable, and that gives you plenty of opportunities to use French in situations that are meaningful to you.
Can I come with a partner or friend?
Yes, absolutely. You can book the immersion as a duo and come with a partner, friend or family member.
Your French levels do not need to be exactly the same. I can adapt the lessons and activities so that both of you can participate, progress and enjoy the experience.
Can you accommodate dietary requirements?
Yes. Please let me know about any dietary requirements, allergies or preferences before your stay.
Whether you are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or have specific allergies, I will do my best to take these into account when planning meals and choosing restaurants.
Can I prepare for an exam during the immersion?
Yes. Exam preparation can be included in your immersion programme.
I can help you prepare for exams such as the DELF, DALF, TCF or TEF, depending on your goals. We can work on oral expression, listening comprehension, written tasks, exam strategies and mock activities while still keeping the wider immersion experience.
How far in advance should I book?
I recommend booking as early as possible, especially if you have specific dates in mind.
The immersion is highly personalised, and I only take a limited number of guests, so booking in advance gives you a better chance of securing your preferred dates.
What is your cancellation policy?
Whenever possible, priority will be given to rescheduling rather than cancelling your immersion.
If you cancel more than 60 days before your arrival date, the 30% deposit is non-refundable. However, it may be credited towards one rescheduled immersion.
If you cancel within 60 days of your arrival date, the full amount paid is normally non-refundable. Exceptions may apply in cases of force majeure or if we mutually agree to reschedule your immersion.
A rescheduling request may only be made once, and the deposit will remain valid for up to 18 months from the original contract signature date.
How does payment work?
A 30% deposit is required to secure your reservation.
The remaining 70% must be paid by bank transfer at least 30 days before your arrival.
Payments from outside the European Union should be made via Wise, while payments from European bank accounts can be made by standard bank transfer.
Please note that both the deposit and the final balance must each be divided into two separate transfers:
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one for the accommodation
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one for the immersion programme
Can I extend my stay before or after the immersion?
Yes, depending on availability.
The minimum immersion stay is 6 nights and 5 days, but there is no fixed maximum length. If you would like to stay longer, we can extend the immersion programme to suit your goals and pace.
You can also simply stay on at the château for a few extra days to relax and enjoy the area at your own rhythm, as the château also welcomes guests as a bed and breakfast. Here’s some more info: www.chateaudavanton.com
Will I have any free time?
Yes. The programme is designed around you.
Some guests enjoy being fully immersed throughout the day, while others prefer to have regular breaks or time alone to rest, explore or simply enjoy the château.
If having personal time is important to you, we can build it into the schedule from the beginning.
Is there an age requirement?
Participants must be 18+.
How do I travel to the chateau?
The château is easily accessible by TGV from Paris (Gare Montparnasse). You can travel to either Poitiers or Futuroscope station, with a journey time of around 1 hour 30 minutes. On arrival, I’ll personally pick you up from the station and drive you to the château. I’ll also take you back to the station on your departure day.
Do I need my own car?
Although it’s not necessary, you may also choose to rent a car for your own convenience and greater flexibility during your stay. All transportation for scheduled excursions is, of course, included and taken care of.