Learn French on holiday: immersion camps and day camps for kids on the French Riviera
Yes, a child who speaks no French can spend the holidays on the French Riviera and learn it: the Centre International d'Antibes takes 6 to 17-year-olds every summer, residential or day camp; language schools in Nice, Cannes and Cap-d'Ail welcome teenagers from mid-June to late August; and bilingual or English-speaking camps exist from age 3 in Mougins, Antibes and Grasse. And every camp listed on izikid is French immersion, at around €180 a week.
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Learning French at a residential camp: the Centre International d'Antibes
The Centre International d'Antibes (CIA) has run French language camps for young foreigners since 1985. Its "Essentiel" camp in Antibes takes 6 to 17-year-olds in three age groups from late June to late August: French lessons in the morning, then beaches, boat trips, pool, sailing and evening events on campus, with staff present 24 hours a day. Count on €1,170 a week, all inclusive.
For 12 to 17-year-olds, two formulas add a sport: French & Sailing, run with the French Sailing Federation at the town's sailing base, and French & Water Sports, kayaking, sailing and banana boat, at €1,490 a week. In Cannes, the teen camp at Campus Carnot, in the town centre a short walk from the beaches, takes 130 participants at most in two groups, 12 to 15 and 16 to 17, at €1,290 a week.
Outside summer, the "Premium" stay in Juan-les-Pins runs from late August to late October for 8 to 17-year-olds, in a high-end residence or with a host family, at €1,220 a week.
Language schools in Nice, Cannes and Cap-d'Ail, for teenagers
Azurlingua, in Nice, welcomes 12 to 17-year-olds on the Eucalyptus campus in the town centre from late June to mid-August: twenty hours of French a week, and three formulas, all-inclusive, day camp, or lessons only. The Campus International de Cannes used to host 12 to 17-year-olds on its campus, minutes from the beaches, from late June to late July, all levels welcome; it is temporarily closed, and its reopening is to be confirmed with the school.
The Centre Méditerranéen d'Études Françaises (CMEF) in Cap-d'Ail, next to Monaco, takes around 500 teenagers aged 12 to 16 each summer, from mid-June to late August, on a campus dating from 1952 whose amphitheatre was decorated by Jean Cocteau; sailing is on the programme two afternoons a week. International House Nice opens its summer campus to 12 to 16-year-olds who already have a year of French.
These schools are being added to the izikid catalogue; in the meantime, their websites give the dates and prices for the coming summer.
Living here? Day camps and holiday courses
A family settled in Sophia Antipolis, Nice or Monaco does not need accommodation. The CIA's "Essentiel" camp exists as a day camp for ages 8 to 11 and 12 to 17: lessons in the morning, activities in the afternoon, home in the evening. Azurlingua likewise offers a day camp and lessons only.
In Nice, Alliance Internationale Langues runs French courses for children and teenagers during every school holiday, daytime and in small groups.
A gentle start: bilingual and English-speaking camps
A 3 to 10-year-old who has never heard French will be more at ease in a camp where their own language is spoken too. In Mougins, Riviera Kids runs bilingual multi-activity camps from age 3 during every school holiday, within the British International School: judo, baby gym, drawing, singing, crafts. In Antibes, ABC Antibes Academy holds summer day camps entirely in English for ages 4 to 10, at around €300 a week. In Grasse, Graines de Pensées offers a bilingual Montessori nature immersion in spring for ages 3 to 10: gardening, cooking, looking after the animals.
For sporty kids, the Mouratoglou Academy in Biot welcomes young players from all over the world: an intensive tennis camp for ages 10 to 18 during every school holiday, with a language option, and an all-inclusive boarding summer for ages 6 to 18.
Every camp on izikid is French immersion
This is what sets izikid apart from a language school: more than 200 verified camps in the Alpes-Maritimes and Monaco, run in French by local clubs, schools and associations, at a median of around €180 a week. A child who sails, juggles or throws pots five mornings in a row in French learns without noticing.
To choose well, prefer a camp where the activity speaks for itself, sport, arts, nature, rather than drama or chess, and ask the organiser whether they have welcomed non-French-speaking children before. Most say yes.
Practical: holiday dates and booking
The Riviera follows the French school calendar for zone B; the dates of each holiday are on the school holidays page. Summer places go early: book two to three months ahead. Language stays are usually booked directly with the school, often in English.
Frequently asked questions
My child does not speak a word of French. Can they join a camp?
Yes. The French camps and day camps accept complete beginners, except International House Nice, which asks for a year of French. For a 3 to 10-year-old, a bilingual camp in Mougins or an English-speaking one in Antibes is a gentler first step.
From what age?
From 6 at the Centre International d'Antibes, from 8 for its day camp, from 12 at the language schools in Nice, Cannes and Cap-d'Ail, and from 3 for the bilingual camps.
Residential or day camp?
A residential stay, in a residence or with a host family, suits a family living abroad. A day camp, lessons in the morning and activities in the afternoon, suits a family settled on the Riviera or holidaying here.
How much does it cost?
From €1,170 to €1,490 a week all inclusive for a CIA language camp, around €300 a week for an English-speaking day camp, and around €180 a week for an ordinary camp from the catalogue, which is immersion too.