Your Stay

Useful Information For Your Stay

Prepare For Your Trip to France

Organize Your Stay With French in Normandy

Visas

If you are a citizen of the European Union you will need either a valid passport or an identity card depending on your country of origin.

If you are not an EU national and plat to study in France you will need to know which documents you may require. You can use the visa wizard to find out exactly what you need to do.

Generally if you require a visa to study in France for a course or programme:

not exceeding three months, you will be issued a short-stay visa;
exceeding three months or six months, you will be issued a temporary long-stay visa, which will require no further formalities on your arrival in France;
exceeding six months, you will be issued a long-stay visa, equivalent to a residence permit, which will be subject to further formalities on your arrival in France.

Read More About Student Visas

How to get to Rouen

Studying French in Rouen provides a full immersion experience for students from around the world. Rouen is the capital of Normandy and a well-known destination for it’s medevial history, architecture, and gastronomy and easy access from Paris.

Rouen is accessible by vehicle, rail, or airline from Brussels, London, or Paris. Students can fly into Orly or Charles de Gaulle airports in Paris or take the Eurostar train to Gare du Nord in Paris. Students can then take a train, cab, or navette to Rouen.

Read More About Getting to Rouen

Accommodation in Rouen | Where to stay when you study French in Rouen

French in Normandy provides a variety of student accommodation in Rouen. Our most popular option is host family accommodation in Rouen, which allows students to fully immerse themselves in the French language and culture in a family setting. Other accommodation options in Rouen include city centre hotels and student residence within walking distance of the school.

Read More About Hotels in Rouen

What to pack when you study French in Rouen

This list will help you get started packing for your upcoming French language stay in Rouen.

Comfortable everyday clothing for class and activities
1 swimming suit
1 pair of sneakers
1 pair of everyday shoes
1 pair of slippers/house shoes
1 warm pullover
1 anorak or waterproof jacket
Umbrella
Travel insurance
Hair dryer / electric razor / small personal appliances
Travel adapter if necessary
Chargers for phone, computer, watch etc
Credit card and small amount of cash
Backpack/book bag for school

Your First Day at French in Normandy

On Day 1, you should arrive at 8:00 a.m., where someone for the French in Normandy team will take your name and introduce you to one of our French teachers. You will receive your arrival folder, study materials, tourist information, a student manual, and safety information.

The first thing you will do, depending on the course you have selected and your level, is take an oral exam. You will also have time to discuss your requirements and ambitions with one of our qualified teachers. At 9.30 a.m. your first class will begin.

We make every attempt to place you in the appropriate group for your level, but if you feel it is too easy or too challenging, please let us know and we will immediately adjust your group.

After the lecture, you will have homework to complete at home, either every night or every other night, which will be corrected in class the next day.

If you wish to focus more on one subject or one specific region during your time with us, please let us know and we will try to adjust your programme accordingly.

What to expect from your French classes

Our group classes are designed to boost your confidence in your ability to communicate in French while also expanding your understanding of the language. We aim for all our students to feel comfortable to participate, enjoy the classes, and make good progress. To practise comprehension and vocal expression, you may be requested to work in pairs or small groups. Each week the school presents a distinct cultural and social programme. Visits and activities are included in the programme, which will allow you to:

Discover the city and the region of Normandy
Have a deeper appreciation of and knowledge of French culture and history
Practise your French language skills in a controlled environment
Participate in field excursions and hands-on activities and experience French in real-life scenarios.

Download the welcome booklet and student handbook

Transportation in Rouen

Rouen features a tram system known as “le metrobus,” which has a station only 8 minutes walk from the school and runs to the city centre. The rue du Mail, where French In Normandy is located, is served by four bus lines, and many host families are within walking distance.

Learn more about public transportation in Rouen here.

Make the most of your stay

We’re here to help you improve your French to the best of our abilities, but please remember that you’re the star of the show, and we’ll be giving you tasks to do and asking you to collaborate with us to achieve your objective.

To get the most out of your course, follow these steps: