About French in Bordeaux

French in Bordeaux is a French language school in Bordeaux, France, teaching French as a foreign language since 2015. We welcome adults, families, professionals and Erasmus+ participants, in small groups of no more than eight people. French in Bordeaux is a brand of Glotte Trotters, a Qualiopi-certified training organisation. Depending on the learner's situation and the programme selected, some training courses may be eligible for professional training funding schemes such as OPCO.

Who we are

We believe French is a living language, not a list of rules to memorise. Our approach is simple: get you speaking quickly, in real situations, with the authentic culture of Bordeaux as your classroom. Learning French here is a small act of rebellion against the dull, textbook way most people are taught a language. Our teachers are native speakers, all qualified in teaching French as a foreign language (FLE), our groups stay small on purpose, and our mascot, a curious monkey, sets the tone: playful, human and genuinely local.

A human-sized French school where Bordeaux is your classroom and progress is measured in conversations, not pages.

Why we're different

French in Bordeaux was born from a simple conviction: a language is not something you learn sealed inside a classroom, cut off from the culture that gives it life. We didn't set out to build another anonymous language institution, with rows of desks and a textbook standing between you and the city outside.

So we built the opposite. Here, French is something you practise on a café terrace, at the market, walking along the Garonne. Our classroom has walls when it needs them, but its real boundaries are the streets of Bordeaux. We keep our groups small, our teachers close and our approach human, because that is how a language actually takes root.

We're not a franchise and we don't want to be. We're a small, independent school that believes learning French should feel like living in Bordeaux, not sitting an exam about it.

Where to find us

Our in-person French courses take place at Darwin Éco-système, a creative hub on the right bank of the Garonne and one of the most characterful corners of Bordeaux. It is a place full of energy, street art, independent shops and riverside life, exactly the kind of environment where a language comes alive.

Darwin is a relaxed, dog-friendly place, and so are we. You are welcome to bring your dog along to private lessons, family sessions and outdoor activities (for group classes, just let us know in advance so we can make sure it works for everyone).

Training location: French in Bordeaux, Darwin Éco-système, 87 Quai des Queyries, RDC Bâtiment Nord, 33100 Bordeaux, France.

Finding us at Darwin: Darwin Éco-système is a large shared site, so French in Bordeaux does not have a permanent street-facing reception. Please contact us before your visit, and on arrival ask at Darwin's reception/concierge service, which will direct you to French in Bordeaux for your course or appointment.

Administration and selected sessions are also handled from Mérignac, just outside the city.

Accessibility

Our training rooms at Darwin are wheelchair accessible, with lift access, and we have experience welcoming learners with disabilities. We have a disability officer who can discuss any specific requirement and adapt your course accordingly. If you have a particular need, please get in touch before enrolling so we can prepare the right support and make sure your learning experience goes smoothly.

What we offer

• General and intensive French courses, with flexible formats
• Private one-to-one French lessons tailored to your goals
• Small-group French courses in Bordeaux, with a maximum of eight students
• Specialised workshops on pronunciation, conversation and everyday French
• Online French courses, wherever you are in the world
• Family French programmes for parents and children together
• DELF and DALF exam preparation
• Erasmus+ eligible training programmes
• Cultural activities and immersion: vineyards, the ocean near Arcachon, Walk & Talk sessions, and history outings exploring the Franco-American friendship near Bordeaux
• Concierge support to help international learners prepare their stay in Bordeaux

Why choose our French language school in Bordeaux

Our groups are capped at eight students, so at our French language school in Bordeaux you actually speak instead of sitting silently at the back of a lecture hall. Our teachers are native speakers, all qualified in teaching French as a foreign language (FLE), so you learn with experienced professionals from your very first lesson. As a Qualiopi-certified training organisation through Glotte Trotters, some of our training programmes may be eligible for professional funding depending on the learner's situation and the selected course. We keep our formats flexible, with group courses, private lessons, online options and tailored programmes. And because we are a small, independent school rooted in the city since 2015, what you get is not a standardised franchise experience but a genuinely local one: real Bordeaux, real people, real French.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

What is French in Bordeaux?

French in Bordeaux is a French language school in Bordeaux, France, teaching French as a foreign language since 2015. It teaches in small groups to adults, families, professionals and Erasmus+ participants, both in person and online.

Where is French in Bordeaux located?

In-person courses take place at Darwin Éco-système, 87 Quai des Queyries, RDC Bâtiment Nord, 33100 Bordeaux, France. Darwin is a large shared site, so please contact French in Bordeaux before coming and, on arrival, ask at Darwin's reception/concierge service. Administration and selected sessions are also handled from Mérignac.

Is there a French school at Darwin Éco-système?

Yes. French in Bordeaux runs its in-person French courses at Darwin Éco-système in Bordeaux. As Darwin is a shared site, access is coordinated through Darwin's reception/concierge service, so please contact us before your visit.

Who are the courses for?

Our courses are designed for adults, families, professionals and Erasmus+ participants, from complete beginners to advanced learners.

Are the teachers qualified?

Yes. All our teachers are native French speakers and hold a qualification in teaching French as a foreign language (FLE), so you learn with experienced professionals from your very first lesson.

Is French in Bordeaux accessible for people with disabilities?

Yes. Our training rooms at Darwin are wheelchair accessible, with lift access, and we have experience welcoming learners with disabilities. We have a disability officer who can discuss any specific requirement; please get in touch before enrolling so we can prepare the right support.

Is French in Bordeaux Qualiopi certified?

French in Bordeaux is a brand of Glotte Trotters, a Qualiopi-certified training organisation. Depending on the learner's situation and the programme selected, some training courses may be eligible for professional training funding schemes such as OPCO.

How big are the groups?

Groups are capped at eight students so that everyone gets plenty of speaking time.

Does French in Bordeaux offer online courses?

Yes. Alongside in-person courses in Bordeaux, French in Bordeaux offers online French courses you can join from anywhere.

Does French in Bordeaux prepare for the DELF and DALF?

Yes. We offer dedicated preparation for the DELF and DALF official French exams.