Chantal Reviews

Suomi : August 2024

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Pamela : June 2024

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Adrienne : May 2024

Don’t hesitate! All of Chantal’s reviews matched my experience with her exactly! And the fact the she has many many many students who return several times a year speaks volumes. There are not a lot of language vacation/ adult immersion programs in someone’s own home to choose from, but even so it was mind-boggling for me to try and decipher between them. It’s almost as if you have to read between the lines. I am going to point out a few things that set her apart.

-Many instructors aren’t able to offer separate accommodations, or if they do, the fees are a bit much for what you get. But Chantal has a separate bungalow for her students which allows you some privacy and quiet time. Napping or studying in the garden next to the pool was a big plus! Plus, the bungalow is spick and span clean!

-Mouy is extremely accessible. You simply fly in to Paris and it’s a quick ride to Chantal’s. No need to take a domestic flight or a 3 hour train ride to another part of France.

-I went with Chantal to several of her appointments (dentist, esthetician) and it was a good learning experience to be a part these interactions. It built up my confidence.

-I liked that she was a good and easy-going conversationalist and we chit-chatted about all kinds of things during our walks or in the kitchen. One learns the flow and rhythm of the language in this way.

Gigi : May 2024

After only a week with Chantal, I found that I was much better able to communicate with others in my subsequent encounters in Paris and elsewhere. It was partly because my grammar had improved and my vocabulary increased, but it was also because I had a clearer understanding of where the gaps in my proficiency lay. I knew to prepare for these difficulties, and I also had the confidence to do my best, knowing that, even if gracelessly, I would be able to convey my meaning.

Chantal was focused and clear from the beginning, catching and lightly correcting my mistakes while keeping the flow of conversation going. Later, in the context of morning lessons, she addressed in greater depth the types of mistakes I was making, giving a context and explanation for the new words and skills that it would help me to master. She quickly realized that my capabilities were spotty: I was advanced in some areas and yet made beginner-level mistakes in others. That’s one of the greatest advantages of working one-on-one with her: each of us has their own particular patchwork of strengths and weaknessses, and she’s really skilled at assessing the contours of your particular patch of knowledge—and expanding it where it’s most critical.

I was highly motivated to improve because I found Chantal so engaging. I wanted to converse with her, her lovely mother, and her partner, Stephane. All were welcoming, patient, and encouraging, acting as though it were a most natural thing to have a stranger from 5000 miles (8000 kilometers) away suddenly sharing meals with them, saying things awkwardly, slowly, and at times incoherently.

And the meals—delicious! I looked forward each morning to walking to the bakery with Chantal. In the evenings I was always surprised by the elegant collation she had prepared.

Add to these benefits the many ways in which Chantal shared cultural, political, culinary , and personal insights while cooking, driving, walking Grignote and Loulou, and exploring Chantilly and Senlis. Somehow, Chantal made it all look easy: ce n’est pas la mer à boire. But to me, it seems indeed an ocean. And the caliber of her work, teaching, will be an enduring motivation for me to continue learning.

Janet : April 2024

I learned so much (and had so much fun!) while spending 2 weeks with Chantal during the spring of 2024. It was a real turning-point for my French. Until that time I was at the "low-intermediate" level ... tongue-tied when trying to speak with classmates and teachers; too shy to speak with local people on the streets of France; frustrated that my language-learning was stalled. But something clicked when I was with Chantal, thanks to her superb method of teaching. The pieces of the language-learning puzzle started to fit together, and I could take part in whole conversations, including expressing feelings and more complex thoughts, with enthusiasm instead of with a struggle. The best part is that it all took place in the perfect immersive setting - at the kitchen table, walking the dogs, at the vet, at the boulangerie...

I would return again in a minute! I highly recommend this immersion experience - it will change your life!

Julie : February 2024

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Pamela : February 2024

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John : January 2024

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Lawney : January 2024

I recently spent a most enjoyable, educational and rewarding two weeks with Chantal, her family Stephane and Liliane and her two dogs Lulu and Grignote.

The student apartment is new and first rate. The tuition and cultural trips are of the highest order, as is Chantal's patience and her legendary culinary skills.

If you wish to learn French and immerse yourself in the French way of life this is the place to do it

Thank you Chantal"

Margaret : December 2023

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Jackie : December 2023

I have recently returned from a week’s French immersion course with Chantal which I very much enjoyed and would highly recommend. I spoke French throughout the week with Chantal and her lovely mum, Liliane and could feel my French improving all the time.

Chantal is an excellent cook and the meals were delicious. The studio apartment in which I stayed was also very comfortable. Chantal also arranged some really nice outings including visits to Chantilly Chateau and Senlis market as well as a memorable visit to see the Christmas lights at Amiens. In addition I joined her every day to walk her two dogs, Loulou and Grignotte, which, as well as the French conversation, allowed me to explore the local forest area which is very scenic.

It was a lovely week and I hope to return next year.

Michele & Emily : November 2023

The delicious food, the gracious hospitality, and the rich experience of living with a wonderful French family in a small village are only three reasons to book your stay with Chantal. The fourth, and most important reason is the French language education you will receive as part of your vacation experience. I came to France with a very basic knowledge of French and within two weeks my listening, confidence, and verbal skills improved. The weekday lessons helped me to pull together my somewhat scattered basic skills and apply them to everyday French life. Chantal will tailor the lessons to your needs and her love of teaching is evident. Oh, and did I mention the food?! I’ll mention it again! Chantal prepares lovely meals along with great mealtime conversation! The village is close and walkable and will provide many opportunities to practice French. The accommodations are lovely, and there is a beautiful walled garden and pool to enjoy. I would definitely visit again. Michele

Denise : November 2023

Vivement 2025

Randy & Janelle : October 2023

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Jane : October 2023

Chère Chantal, Stéphane et Liliane,

Je vous remercie pour cette semaine merveilleuse. J'ai apprécié l'enseignement, les repas très délicieux, le studio confortable. J'ai aimé bien les excursions et les promenades avec les chiens. Tout était parfait ! Je vous donne 5 étoiles. Merci beaucoup !

John : October 2023

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Ramona : September 2023

I have absolutely nothing to add to all the positive reviews -- Chantal and her loved ones, both two- and four-legged, are a delight.

One or two weeks in Mouy: quite simply a wonderful way to relax and truly enjoy a total immersion. While practicing your French. Plus the food is both delicious and healthy.

And don't worry about any hygiene issues: Chantal takes special care to provide and maintain a safe environment...c'est promis!

You will need to book way in advance, though-- this exceptional offer is in extremely high demand. Bonne chance!

Pamela : September 2023

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Allison : August 2023

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Debbie : August 2023

Dear Chantal,

I want to thank you and your family for your very generous hospitality when I stayed with you in Mouy. I appreciate all of the effort you devoted to helping me with my French and allowing me to participate in your French life. I so much appreciated the gourmet meals, the excursions, our long walks in the countryside with the dogs, and so much more. Stephane and your mom were lovely and so helpful.

John : July 2023

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Juliet : July 2023

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Suomi : July 2023

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Pam : July 2023

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Paul : June 2023

Come to Mouy with an open mind, an open heart and beaucoup de curiosité.   Chantal, her wonderful mother and Chantal's partner Stephane are the most welcoming and warm people who instantly make you feel at home and part of a family.   Chantal’s French lessons are extraordinary, and she instantly recognizes your strengths and areas that need some attention.   But immersion with Chantal is so much more.  She and her family and friends share their knowledge of French culture, cuisine, history and everyday living so you leave not only a Francophone, but also a Francophile as well.   Come with an open mind and an open heart, and you will leave with a deeper understanding of the language, French culture, and with newfound friends who treat you like family.   You will be moved!

Peter : May 2023

My week got off to a flying start, or threw me into the deep end, whichever you prefer, when I accompanied Chantal and Stephane to a 60 th birthday garden party. Chatting to many of the 50+ guests certainly gave my French a thorough workout, helped by the universally friendly welcome that I was given by young and old alike. During the week we shopped, walked the dogs, took them to the vets and visited Senlis and Chantilly. These experiences offered insights into French life and opportunities to speak French that I could not have gained any other way except by ‘immersion’.

I found our morning lessons very helpful, both for the work we actually covered and the insights that Chantal gave me for what I needed to work on to improve further. As a retired teacher, headteacher and school inspector I think I have a good idea what good teaching looks like and I saw that in Chantal. She is very knowledgeable about the nuances of language and highly motivated to make an impact on her student for the relatively short time she has to make a difference. Like all good teachers she is positive in her approach, but determined in her constructive feedback to offer every opportunity to learn from the mistakes which are such an important part of learning a language, one of the most difficult but most satisfying things one can take on.

I had a great week which was very enjoyable and which provided experiences that will inform my ongoing learning for a long time to come.

Myoung-Ock : May 2023

This immersion class with Chantal was one of the best experiences of my life. A private lesson with Chantal was priceless with undivided attention. Right after my arrival, classe started the next day. With homeworks and sometimes reports after watching a video or two, I didn't even feel the jet lag. Every class was fruitful and I learned a lot which I used later in Paris.

During the breakfast and lunch with Chantal, Stephane and Chantal's mom Lilian I could not only practice my French but also learn about life in France. 
 
Chantal is also an excellent cook and she makes it look easy and simple, yet very tasty. She enjoys cooking and not a single dish was repeated during my stay for 2 weeks. I was glad to volunteer and help her in the kitchen, another opportunity to learn about
French cooking.

One of the excursions was to Auvers-sur-Oise where Vincent Van Gogh died and is buried along with his brother Theo. I never knew that it was so close to Mouy and how excited I was when I got there and saw the famous church and fields in person! I had to revisit that place one more time when I stayed in Paris after Mouy.

Aside from the French language, this stay opened my eyes to French cuisine and lifestyle. Definitely I am going back to Mouy not only to improve my French but because I miss all of Mouy, most of all the lovely family members and adorable Grignote and Lulu.

Catherine : May 2023

I had wanted to visit France for a long time but going by myself with my limited vocabulary seemed very daunting, so an immersion seemed to be an ideal solution and I'm so glad I did it! I really enjoyed my week with Chantal and Stephane, they are lovely people who go out of their way to make you feel at home and make your stay as perfect as possible. This isn't the kind of holiday that you will find in a brochure because it's completely unique. The best thing is that you get to see real life in France instead through the eyes of a tourist. Chantal is an excellent hostess and I was looked after very well from the moment I arrived at the airport. Every morning we went to the boulangerie together to buy the bread for the day and some croissants and my favourite pain au chocolat. That was followed by a lovely fresh breakfast and a language lesson which she tailored to suit my interests and learning needs. Then the highlight! Every day Chantal cooked a traditional french dinner which we ate with her lovely Mother and I can honestly say it was absolutely delicious, perfectly cooked with fresh ingedients and beautifully presented, Chantal is a talented cook! Later we went walking across the nearby fields with her two cute, well behaved dogs. We also had two outings to places of interest of my choice, Château de Chantilly and Senlis. Chantal was very knowledgeable and informed me of lots of intesting facts that otherwise I wouldn't have known. In the evenings I sat out on the patio next to the pool if the weather was nice or sometimes walked around Mouy which is an interesting, historic little town. The studio is private and well situated in the lovely garden and has everything that you need for a comfortable stay. It is a unique experience in a safe environment and you can improve your french at the same time, perfect!

Brian : April 2023

From our first meeting and throughout my stay, Chantal and Stephane made me feel welcome and treated me like an old friend.

The cottage where I stayed was perfect: comfortable, well-equipped, and private. It was the ideal place for me to study and rest between learning sessions. The main house–where I had breakfast, lunch, and my daily language lessons–was spacious and charming.

Chantal is an experienced and skilled teacher and her love for language quickly became evident as the lessons commenced. She was patient and encouraging, but exacting. Chantal quickly diagnosed my French-language weaknesses and methodically set about correcting those while also pointing out my successes. She also assigned after-class homework. Seriously. When Chantal is your teacher, you quickly realize that she is doing everything she can to make your French the best it can be.

Each day at lunch, Stephane was friendly and engaging, always eager to share his love of French culture, food, and wine. It was also lovely to meet and share meals with Chantal's mother Liliane. Speaking of lunch, I must say that the meals which Chantal prepared each day were a highlight of my stay. She is a wonderfully skilled chef and it was a rare treat to enjoy home-cooked French cuisine, though I was almost as impressed by the speed with which she was able to produce such delectable repasts each day.

In addition, Chantal brought me along on her errands around Mouy. She introduced me to local shopkeepers, which allowed me to listen to native speakers and to speak French in real-world situations. It was a truly invaluable experience that helped me to gain experience and confidence in my French-language skills. Their two dogs, Grignote and Lulu, were friendly, well-behaved, and loved long walks in the French countryside in the late afternoons, during which Chantal continued my lessons. Lastly, we took excursions to an open-air market and to Paris for a rock concert with VIP seating, an experience I won’t forget.

This course exceeded every expectation which I had and I strongly recommend it to anyone who would like to make real progress in their French language journey in a welcoming, friendly home with a wonderful teacher and her family. You will not regret it.

Louise : April 2023

Second stay

Lizabeth : March 2023

If you’re interested in learning or re-learning French language skills, I recommend contacting Chantal to stay a week or two in her comfortable home in northern France. I stayed in a separate studio next to her house, perfect. Chantal, Stefan and her mother are warm, easy people who put me at ease immediately. They got me speaking French right away, even if I didn’t feel I could! Chantal’s teaching style is spot-on. She met me where I am in French (hadn’t studied it in 45 years) and took me further in French than I had hoped. My week with her was inspiring. Her matter-of-fact teaching style is helpful and easy to understand. I found myself wanting to practice each evening to better learn everything we covered in the mornings. We enjoyed several fun outings after our mid-day meal to chateaux, markets and walking her sweet dogs in a beautiful forest. All in French. It truly was memorable and I want to return to continue and improve my French skills.

Our days were fun and delicious. Breakfast every morning at nine o’clock. French language practice and exercises in the mornings.  Chantal is an amazing cook, she prepared delicious noon meals every day and shared recipes!  Fun afternoons speaking everyday conversational French.

 She shared her authentic French life and food with me and will with you, too. It’s a rich experience and worth the trip.

Pamela : March 2023

 quand on aime, on ne compte pas ! Je ne compte plus mes séjours chez Chantal !! 

John : February 2023

 
I spent a very productive and enjoyable week improving my French with Chantal. She was quick to ascertain my level, identify areas for me to work on and was incredibly patient. As an intermediate French speaker, I have many engrained mistakes which I made several times during my time in Mouy. But Chantal helped me to identify and address those errors, improve my grammar and significantly expand my vocabulary. Unquestionably, my French and my confidence in speaking improved as well.

I very much appreciated the “all-in” approach Chantal offered. Each day after breakfast, classes and lunch, I was able to continue conversation practice with Chantal as we walked her dogs in fields and forests.  And her partner Stephane took me to a gym for a workout which I really appreciated. All this was in addition to excursions to Chantilly and the Sanlis market. By 6:00 pm I was pretty tired from speaking French all day and usually grabbed a sandwich from town and relaxed in the very comfortable student bungalow. 

Chantal is also an excellent cook. Breakfast was continental and the main meal was lunch which was superb and offered fun conversation with Stephane and her mother Liliane. Stephane has a great sense of humor and I loved Liliane’s anecdotes and stories about everything, particularly about life in Paris as a small child during WWII and the post-war decade.

I look forward to my return in July. In order to hit the ground running I will spend a couple of days in Paris to minimize the jet lag before heading to Mouy.

Merci Chantal !!

 

Julie : February 2023

From the moment I arrived at the house in Mouy and was warmly welcomed by Chantal, Stephane, Liliane and the two lovely dogs ( Grignote and LouLou), I knew I had made the right decision to come here for a French immersion. There was a wonderful warmth and friendliness between them all and I was immediately put at ease and became part of their “extended family” for the week I was there.
The accommodation in the garden studio was perfect; very comfortable allowing me my own space when I needed it but being close to the houses and family. I could even park my car in the courtyard (thanks to a bit of manoeuvring by Chantal and Stephane with their cars! ).
The days passed so quickly as there were so many new experiences and opportunities to converse in French. Breakfast was always taken with Chantal and Lili( Chantal’s mother ). It was a great way to start the day and I enjoyed chatting with Lili who always showed interest despite my limited vocabulary!
The mornings were an opportunity to work on specific grammar challenges. Chantal patiently explaining and correcting exercises while chatting and then starting to cook the lunch. And what delicious meals we enjoyed! Chantal is an amazing cook and can certainly multitask!
Lunch was so enjoyable as not only did we have the wonderful food prepared by Chantal but we were joined by Lili and usually Stephane and of course, Grignote and LouLou who always waited hopefully for tidbits! More opportunity for conversation and for me to test Chantal’s patience by constantly making the same mistakes!! It was jovial and fun.
One day we had lunch in a restaurant to celebrate Chantal’s birthday. Another fun occasion which I felt honoured to be part of. There were other afternoons that Chantal and I made visits to local towns , local market and Chateau Chantilly.

However much private study you do, nothing can replace living as part of a French family and experiencing their daily lives with them whilst also receiving one on one teaching. This is the perfect way to improve your French, especially as Chantal is an excellent teacher with endless patience! 

John : February 2023

 third stay ! 

Andrea and Lauren : January 2023

my fifth stay,this time with a friend of mine !!! 

Margaret : December 2022

Thank you for the most wonderful stay at your welcoming home. Everything was perfect. I was amazed how you went out of your way to make my stay enjoyable and comfortable.
I look forward to my next immersion and this time I will try to pick up some cooking tips !
Merci Chantal !

Margaret


Randy et Janelle : November 2022

second stay, looking forward to October 2023 

Allison : November 2022

 vivement mon prochain séjour ! 

Angela : October 2022

I recently spent a week with Chantal in Mouy,  Piccardie. I wish I had stayed for 2 weeks or even longer as it was everything I hoped for and more. I will certainly revisit as soon as possible.

Chantal and her family were so welcoming and right from the start I was included in everything Chantal and the family were doing.

My studio apartment was also lovely, roomy and very comfortable. Chantal had lovely wine,cheese and fruit there for me on my arrival.

Chantal also prepared some lovely vegetarian and fish meals (I don't eat meat) and even provided me with some cooking lessons at the same time! We also shopped together,walked the dogs in the wheat fields and had  lovely visits to the Chateau at Chantilly which was a highlight; it was absolutely magnificent. 

We also visited  the lovely town of Senlis on market day which was fabulous. It has old ruins dating from  the 3rd century although has been restored a few times over the centuries. It was a very enjoyable visit and a wonderful place to shop!

Chantal is an excellent teacher and I loved her lessons, so with her mum and husband Stefan also chatting to me my french improved enormously.

I can highly recommend a french immersion stay with Chantal you will love it!

Evelyn : Semptember 2022

J’ai attendu plus de trois ans pour une immersion avec Chantal (au début, son agenda était toujours complet et ensuite, le Covid a empêché de voyager).
 
J’ai passé deux semaines avec Chantal et sa famille et il m'a semblé être chez mes amis. Ils sont tous chaleureux. 
 
Chantal est une top professeure ; elle est professionnelle et sérieuse mais elle rend les leçons intéressantes et m’a donné des devoirs. Bref, elle a fait tout pour m’aider et améliorer ma langue française. 
 
Tous les repas chez Chantal étaient délicieux et différents chaque jour. 
Les repas étaient partagés avec elle et Liliane, sa mère sympa et adorable, c’était amusant !
 
Ils m’ont fait me sentir totalement la bienvenue. Imaginez qu’on se fait livrer de la soupe chaude le soir quand il fait froid ! C’est dire à quel point ils sont accueillants et attentionnés. 
 
En plus, je suis arrivée le dernière jour d’un spectacle de son et lumière au Château Chantilly. Chantal et Stéphane m’ont invitée a les rejoindre. Quelle belle surprise de profiter d’un spectacle magnifique et inoubliable ! 
Les sorties avec Chantal y compris les visites autour de la région, se promener avec ses chiens adorables et faire du shopping m’a plu énormément. 
 
 C’étais difficile de dire au revoir à Chantal et sa famille. Je vais prévoir de revenir. 
Merci encore, Chantal

Michele : July 2022

A friend of mine who stayed with Chantal a few years ago encouraged me to do the same, and I’m grateful that he did. The immersion was exceptional in every way, from the accommodations to lessons to excursions. Chantal, Stéphane, and Liliane are delightful hosts who made us feel welcome in their daily life—at home, in conversations, doing errands, and walking the dogs (who are also very charming). Chantal is an excellent cook, providing a yummy breakfast and a traditional noontime meal, which included a course of cheeses that my partner especially enjoyed.
The lessons were varied, and time flew by. As an upper-intermediate student, I was glad to have some structure as well as more spontaneous conversations, not only with Chantal but also with Stéphane and Liliane. I appreciated that Chantal maintained the French immersion for me by having me translate for my partner rather than slipping into English herself.

Mouy is a nice little town, enjoyable to walk around in. The excursions to sites in the area were really enjoyable, and the drives gave us more occasion to converse. The studio is very comfortable. I hope to return some day!

Suomi : July 2022

I have returned multiple times to spend a week or two with Chantal and her family to study French, and possibly even more importantly, French living. I cannot but agree with all the positive and enthusiastic endorsements of the benefits of learning French with Chantal. I want to expand on them by talking about why I return time and again to study with her. This in spite of my desire to go and see different parts of this diverse country.

First, Chantal is always able to quickly assess my current challenges and to adjust her material and topics to my current level. Her materials are often linked to our past immersion courses, such as reading books by the same author or revisiting grammar points and exercises if I still have not internalized them.

Secondly, she remembers my interests and succeeds in finding new excursions that are linked to my interests. It is thanks to these excursions to many small and not well known yet fascinating museums that leaves my French friends astonished of my knowledge of various aspects of French life.

And finally, the interaction with Chantal’s family and her friends allows me to enjoy a short but enriching experience of “French Life” every year. For example, I always come back enthused to cook the simple but delicious French dishes I enjoyed at her place. Something my family greatly appreciates. 

I highly recommend the immersion experience with Chantal.

John : June 2022

Un grand merci à Chantal pour ses accueils chaleureux à Mouy dans la Picardie. J’ai tellement aimé la première fois quand j’y suis allé en 2019 que j’ai décidé de faire encore une visite en 2022. Je suis devenu accro. J’y vais pour la troisième fois en février 2023 et aussi en octobre 2023. Il y a bien des raisons pour lesquelles je ne peux pas m’empêcher de passer chez Chantal chaque fois que je vais en France. D’abord, c’est une femme épatante, avenante et animée toujours prête à subvenir à vos besoins. Dès le moment que je l’ai rencontrée, j’avais le sentiment que je faisais partie de la famille. En plus, c’est une excellente professeure de français qui emploie une variété de stratégies pédagogiques pour apprendre le français à ces élèves. Elle vous encourage constamment et vous motive à exceller. Elle va vous faire visiter la région, des lieux historiques, de jolies églises tout en partageant des anecdotes historiques de chaque endroit. Enfin, Chantal est une excellente cuisinière qui prépare des repas copieux, délicieux avec des produits frais et avec beaucoup de fruits et légumes. Tout ça s’arrose avec du bon vin. Le bon pain frais et des croissants se trouvent également en abondance. Pour la famille, il y a deux chiens très sympas, son ami Stéphane et Liliane sa mère. Stéphane est un chic type qui anime toujours les conversations, qui a toujours des blagues et des histoires cocasses à raconter et de qui j’apprends beaucoup d’expressions pratiques, argotiques et idiomatiques. J’adore parler avec Liliane. Elle a toujours des anecdotes à relater des temps révolus. C’est une femme distinguée qui accueille les étudiants de Chantal avec grand plaisir. Je reste toujours dans le studio qui se trouve tout près de la piscine et juste à côté de la grande maison. Il y a une petite cuisine, une salle de bain avec douche, un lit très confortable (je dors toujours comme un loir), une télévision avec bien sûr accès à Internet et le Wi-Fi. Je mets mon code de Netflix et ça marche parfaitement bien. Un atout, c’est Netflix France ; vous aurez accès a beaucoup plus de variétés entre des séries et des films français. Le petit gite est bien sûr d’une propreté impeccable. Vous allez apprendre beaucoup de français, vous amuserez bien, découvrirez des endroits magnifiques, mangerez bien et vivrez à la française. N’hésitez pas à vous inscrire, mais il faut le faire très en avance car les créneaux se réservent vite.              

Paul & Diane : May 2022

It’s been a long time since my rather poor attempt at French when at school. I was keen to take it
up again and the immersion course was the ideal way to do it. It’s very encouraging to have planned
learning sessions and informal continuous opportunities to speak French. Many topics come up
around the meal table. Aspects of French culture arise along with excellent food in a convivial
atmosphere. Although not taking part in the study sessions, my wife found she was able to
remember enough small amounts of the language to join in the conversation. Trips varying from a
visit to a Chateau to strolls around the village and lovely country walks with the dogs broaden out
the experience. My wife and I have been starved of swimming in the lockdowns and welcomed the
opportunities to go in the garden swimming pool. This was truly an immersion course!
All the best to Chantal, Stephane and Liliane. Best behaved dogs award to Grignote and Loulou.

Barbara : April 2022

I just returned from two weeks at Chantal's and at the risk of repeating everyone else it was wonderful! I was a little apprehensive never having done anything like this before and then there was covid to contend with. Chantal and Stephane picked me up at CDG airport which was great after a long flight.    

The morning lessons were fun and interesting.  My French is pretty basic and Chantal knew just what I needed. Afternoons were excursions or walks in the countryside and one afternoon I went with Chantal and her mom when they voted in the presidential election. In the evening I strolled around Mouy  and picked up something for a light dinner and then read or studied, usually on the patio because the weather was so nice.

The lessons, the company and must mention the lunches were all exceptional. Thank you Chantal!

Jennifer : April 2022

I recently returned from a wonderful week long immersion learning French with Chantal in Mouy. While I did, in fact, learn some French, the experience was much more than that. From the moment I arrived I was welcomed in to the family and felt like I was a visiting relative or friend. Chantal is a true expert at making one feel welcome and comfortable in an unknown situation. She easily figures out your level of french and then adapts her lessons and conversations to meet you where you are. She patiently corrected all of my many repeated mistakes and was an encouraging teacher. 

I did enjoy the lessons and learned some new grammar and vocabulary but my favorite part of the week was meeting Chantal’s family and seeing what everyday life is like living in France. I loved seeing the beautiful relationship Chantal and her husband Stephane have with Chantal’s mother Liliane. I was lucky to meet Chantal’s daughter, son-in-law and new granddaughter. I loved learning all of the new French recipes that Chantal expertly cooked everyday for lunch and was super impressed that she not only made a fantastic lunch for all of us but, at the same time, managed to cook something completely different for her mother. She is truly a gifted chef and host.

I also really enjoyed the several outings to different towns in the area. Chantal learned what I was interested in and tailored these outings to be something that I would enjoy. Despite repeating these trips many times herself she never seemed bored or annoyed at having to do them again. She truly loves what she does and it shows. 

Now that I am home I miss our daily 3-4 mile walk in the beautiful rapeseed fields near Mouy with the two dogs Grignote and Lulu. I miss the challenge of speaking French or let’s be honest, trying to speak French. It was a true immersive experience and I am looking forward to a day when I can return and be able to contribute more to the family conversations. I very much recommend a stay with Chantal and her lovely family.

Paddy : April 2022

It is a privilege to be permitted to share a week with Chantal and her family. It adds hugely to the experience of learning to speak, and to listen to, french in a warm family environment. The learning experience with Chantal was very relaxed and well tailored to my needs. 
A truly special experience!

Jonathan and Terry : March 2022

Our two weeks with Chantal and her family came and went quickly. There are many testimonials on her
site as to what a wonderful teacher she is: all must be true judging from our experience. Rather than
repeat those eulogies, I'd like to mention another aspect of studying French with Chantal: random acts of
kindness.
Our experience began with big hugs from Chantal when she picked us up at the train station and ended
with big hugs when she dropped us off after our two weeks. Midway through our studies, I had a health
issue for which I needed to consult a doctor. Chantal first tried to get me in to see her doctor. When that
didn't work, she and we successfully navigated our first experience with French telemedicine. That
evening, there was a rap on our sliding glass door, and there was Chantal with two bowls of homemade
chicken soup to make us feel better. Seriously.
Another insight into Chantal's character comes from watching her interactions with her 87 year-old
mother, who herself is a delight. The care she shows was evident each day. Our own conversations with
her mother were an added bonus to our French immersion, and it was nice that she, too, said she enjoyed
us and all the other students who have stayed with them.
Chantal's partner, Stephane, is equally considerate and also a lot of fun. Once he discovered Terry loves
the end pieces (croutons) of baguettes (as does he), they all went to her. We also enjoyed watching him
telework (or pretend to work, as Chantal called it) and seeing if we could distract him.
Their two dogs are hilarious. Grignote (Snack) periodically limps to gain sympathy and then takes off
running if he thinks no one is looking. LouLou, on the other hand, associates their blue Ford car with
taking walks in the countryside and so is content to spend hours sitting in the parked car in the hope that
someone will take him somewhere. And he walks around looking for the Ford if it isn't there.
Again, I thought not to repeat what everyone else has said about what a great teacher is Chantal and how
she helped us with speaking French. Suffice it to say we had a great experience: French 24/7, wonderful
family, comfortable accommodations, fantastic food. Also, Mouy is a really nice town in which to walk
around and not encounter anyone who speaks English. What better immersion is there than that?

Ellen

I loved Chantal ! Not only is she cheerful, welcoming, and unflagging in her attention, she’s also a wonderful teacher.  She patiently pointed out my more common mistakes while, at the same time, managed to build up my confidence.  Her lessons evolved from our conversations and were exactly on point, and blessedly she didn’t try to force perfection.  And the little guest house gave me time to study, relax, watch a little French television, and try to integrate what I’d learned.  Her meals were yummy, and her family completely delightful.  Such a pleasure! I can’t wait to go again

Annie

I spent an absolutely delightful week with Chantal, her partner Stephan, her mother Liliane and her 2 adorable dogs Grignote and Loulou. Everyone made me feel so welcome! Not only did I get to learn and practise speaking French, I also got to experience daily life the French way!  

Chantal is a very gifted teacher who can gauge her students’ abilities quickly and give lessons accordingly. I love the flexibility of her teaching. She mixes casual fun conversations/story telling with proper grammatic corrections. She was so patient with correcting my repeated mistakes and bizarre pronunciation. Aside from French lessons, she also taught me how to cook some of her D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S French dishes!!! 

The excursions were another highlight of my stay. It was very rewarding to realise just how much more I could understand after just a couple of days with Chantal! I really enjoyed being out and about visiting the sites and just watching and listening to the locals. 

I would highly recommend an immersion stay with Chantal! It was so much more than just learning French. I felt like I went on a holiday in France and stayed with good friends! I will definitely be back!!

Ron : November 2021

Four years ago I finally realized a life-long dream to live in Paris. In preparation, I had taken many classes in many ways: groups, one-on-one, online, self-study. I tried everything I could find and thought I’d be fine. Not exactly. I quickly discovered that all my work left me miles short of fluent. A new burst of optimism convinced me that I would learn just by being here, listening, and being forced to communicate. Wrong again. I did make some progress but not nearly enough and was about ready to surrender when I found Chantal by an online search for French tutors.

We found dates that worked for everyone, and I spent the first week of December with Chantal and her family: Stephane, Liliane, and two of the friendliest dogs you’ll find anywhere. I was a bit apprehensive and more than a little skeptical that she could make a difference. Wrong again. Chantal is a great teacher. A week with her is not just a vacation with friendly hosts and great food, it is an opportunity to learn the French language and a good deal about French culture with a teacher who knows her stuff and how to get her message across. I learned more in a week with Chantal than all my previous efforts. I worked hard because she inspired me to dig in, applauded my successes and encouraged me to continue to learn.

I’m not done yet, but Chantal’s approach has given me the confidence to speak and the tools to grow.  I’ll work on my own and look forward to a return engagement.

Merci Beaucoup, Chantal

Nancy : November 2021

I must admit it is difficult to write a review because why on earth would I want even MORE students to fill up Chantal’s very busy schedule? But that would not be fair to Chantal, and not fair to other english speakers who looking for an amazing, authentic, non-touristy, personally enriching french immersion experience.


For two weeks in November 2021, I had the honor to be a part of Chantal’s vibrant life. Along with Stephane (her partner), Liliane (her mother), Loulou and Grignote (their two spirited dogs), I was completely welcomed as if I was a long lost cousin from America. Chantal immediately recognized my level (painfully rusty), and magically spoke so that I could understand her. She patiently corrected my well-entrenched errors. While we had an official lesson time each day, in reality, it was a continuous, two-week french lesson. She/They took me on wonderful outings including the Château de Chantilly, the Compiègne Wagon, and a magnificent Florent Pagny concert at the Zénith Amiens Métropole. We met up with their friends on multiple occasions, all of them delightful and welcoming. Ok, so truth be told, I understood very little of their fast and lively conversations (my brain was always processing the words from 30 seconds prior). But I understood what was important - their friendships with Chantal and Stephane go way back, and they are kind, fun-loving, open-hearted, and open-minded people.


And now for my food review. (Mais bien sûr, on parle de la France n’est-ce pas?) Chantal is a fantastic cook! Almost every day, she whipped up a fresh, healthy, and amazingly delicious déjeuner, each different from the last. It was truly magic how she made it look so effortless. On one of the weekend days, we met up with their friends in the nearby town of Senlis. In true french style, we spent the better part of the day hanging out, drinking, and chatting (well, in my case doing a poor job of faking chatting), eventually ending up at one of their friends’ home for a wonderful Raclette dinner. Another outstanding meal was in celebration of Liliane's birthday, where the four of us went to Auberge de la Grange aux Loups in nearby Apremont. The food there was SO delicious - take note here American foodies - I promise, it is worth the international airfare just to go to this restaurant! Yet another celebratory meal during my stay was Beaujolais Nouveau day, a day created to celebrate Beaujolais wine. Because apparently french people need another reason to hang out with their friends and drink wine with charcuterie, cheese, and bread. And of course my food review would not be complete without a shout out to the magnificent soups courtesy of Stephane’s Thermomix. Bravo, Thermomix!   


As if the two weeks at Chantal’s weren’t already mes plus belles vacances, I have yet to mention the most joyous thing of all: I was the very lucky student to be in residence when Chantal’s granddaughter was born! Her daughter Eliane and son-in-law Benjamin live just an hour away. It was with great anticipation that everyone awaited news of the baby Elena’s arrival, which was followed by a difficult three day wait until mommy and baby were released from the hospital. (Due to covid, only mommy and daddy were permitted in the hospital). You can bet that, on the baby’s very first day home, Chantal, Liliane, and I rushed over to Roye to meet la petite crevette. What an honor it was to witness the family welcoming their fourth generation:).



And last but most definitely not least, un grand merci à Loulou and Grignote. These two little characters were an unending source of amusement, strutting about like the own the place (they do). And no, they are not fed from the table (except for the exceptions). I miss taking long walks in the muddy fields with you boys!


Thank you again Chantal, Stephane, and Liliane for such a wonderful two weeks! I hope to make it back to Mouy again sometime in the near future. And of course, you always have a home in Cincinnati, Ohio!

Marshall and Sarah : October 2021

I am on my third language, and it is hard to come up with the correct words to describe the quality of the experience.  Chantaal really makes you feel like an honored guest.  She is passionate about her native language and passionate about helping you learn it. The apartment was very comfortable to stay in. It is close enough to Paris to do some sight-seeing, but she will also do more language time if you like. I spent the mornings filling my head with French and the afternoons having fun in France, and it was a great balance. Her husband and mother were there. They are also a delight to be around. She is a stellar cook, and you will not want for good food. Best to be at an intermediate (A2-B1) or higher level to get the most out of it, but she will skillfully guide even a true beginner. If you are serious about learning French, you could not pick a better place to do it.

Allison : September 2021

It has taken me a while to sit down to write this review because I’m just coming down off the cloud from
my experience.
Initially I was supposed to have a week with Chantal in 2020 but Covid border closures intervened. It
was such a disappointment but good came from that. I started Zoom lessons and continued until I could
go to Muoy in September 2021. By then, I felt we knew each other and I was going to visit a friend!
My week began with a 10k hike in the forest with Chantal & Stefan and their large group of friends,
followed by an afternoon of wine and food in their friends’ garden. When my travel fatigue caught up
with me, they set me up on a chaise for a nap, as the pace of conversation was trop vite pour moi!
Really, I can only repeat what others have already said. The hospitality was exceptional with superb
French meals, spirited conversation, and the lovely addition of Liliane to the breakfast and lunch tables.
Stefan put me at ease with his easygoing personality and his sense of humor. I love dogs, so their little
guys were a plus for me. If you’re not into dogs, I assure you they are not at all intrusive.
Lessons were just challenging enough and Chantal intuitively knew just how much new information to
feed me and how much time I needed to assimilate the information. The guest accommodations were
very comfortable and private.
Upon leaving, I toured Normandy by car and was so pleased with my increased confidence. I did not
meet a situation that I couldn’t handle. Upon my return to the US, a French friend noted that my accent
was improved; always a good thing!
I am now planning a 2022 visit and I can’t wait! Chantal, get the baguettes and cheeses ready!

Cliff : September 2021

I don't have much to say, because everything that's been said already by Chantal's other students is absolutely accurate. I'm just here to affirm it's all true! I had a similar terrific time, and experienced all the same aspects of the immersion as did my predecessors. It was a fun and rewarding experience.
I would like to really emphasize one point, though. Chantal is an excellent teacher. I speak French at the most basic level, and by nature I'm pretty shy and introverted. This class was something of a challenge I gave myself, way outside my usual comfort zone. Chantal was just great about knowing how far to push me and when. She was charming but instructive; technical but comforting. And when she wasn't engaged in formal "instruction," whiteboard included, all the other activities described by her other students allow for opportunities to speak and for further, less formal instruction. So in our visits to Beauvais and Chantilly, and in our walks in the fields, we talked and I learned a little more.
I feel comfortable saying that my French improved enough to leave no doubt that it was a worthwhile experience, if not just for that primary purpose. My understanding of grammar improved; my comprehension improved; my accent improved; and my vocabulary improved. Not so much that I don't still freak out the instant a Parisian starts jabbering away, but enough that it all feels like it's coming together more easily; I hear the language better and I can express myself better. It's a great foundation to build upon.
And yes, the rest-- the family (Stephane, Liliane, Loulou and Grignote), the food, the wine, the extracurricular activities --all enhance the experience. It was a week very well spent, and I look forward to doing it again someday. 

Randy and Janelle : August 2021

An immersion class with Chantal is pretty much the perfect French learning experience.  Chantal simply adopts you into her vibrant life all the while improving your French.  You live and work with Chantal of course but there is so much more.  You meet and interact with Chantal’s mother, Stephane, and of course, the two cutest dogs in all of France<g>. Chantal’s knowledge and experience are vast, so she can seamlessly adapt perfectly to your current needs or interests and target just the right approach.  Her excursions let you see and enjoy the history and beauty of the l’Oise area through Chantal’s eyes and they reinforce aspects of the French you are learning.  The accommodations were fabulous with everything you might need.  To top it all off, Chantal is a marvelous cook (see her website for recipes).  This is by far the perfect way to accelerate your current French abilities and it’s so much fun we can’t wait to return.

Pamela : July 2021

Covid 19 arrived in March 2020 when I was chez Chantal, and sadly, it was 16 months later before I could return. How I missed France ! It was with great anticipation that I returned to Mouy for a long-delayed two weeks of immersion in July 2021. My French was rusty, of course, but Chantal is a terrific teacher and very patiently corrects my perpetual mistakes. 
 
As always, the time with Chantal was packed with activities: bike rides, long walks through the wheat fields with the dogs, visits to numerous towns in the surrounding region, parties with her wonderful band of friends- the fun was non-stop ! 
 
Un séjour d’immersion is the very best way to learn a language, as well as the culture and customs of a country. I categorically recommend this experience to anyone serious about France and the French language. You will not find a more charming, warm, and patient professor than Chantal. Her fabulous cooking is a bonus, as is her partner Stéphane who contributes enormously to the fun.  I am counting the days until my next visit with them !

Sherri : July 2021

I just spent a wonderful week with Chantal, her partner Stephane, her mother Liliane, and their 2 delightful dogs, Loulou and Grignote. They were so warm and welcoming that I immediately felt at ease. 

Chantal is an excellent teacher. She was kind and encouraging and seemed to know immediately just how to adapt the lessons and experiences to my skill level. Although I was only there for a week I learned so much and feel much more confident. 

Even though the purpose of the trip was to improve my confidence and skill level (which I absolutely did), the experience was so much more than that. In addition to the formal instruction and the many opportunities to practice speaking, Chantal and her family truly welcome you into their lives as though you are part of the family. I never felt the least bit uncomfortable nor wanted for anything. 

Chantal is a FABULOUS cook and she even adapted the meals for me as I am vegetarian. I was also lucky enough to spend my birthday with them which was celebrated with a special lunch including champagne and chocolate cake and then topped off with a lovely gift. How kind and thoughtful!!

Thank you again Chantal, Stephane, Liliane, Loulou and Grignote. You truly exceeded all my expectations. This was an experience that I shall never forget and I look forward to returning one day soon.

Pamela : March 2020

My week of immersion with Chantal was magnifique, as always!

Despite grey skies and drizzle, we managed to amuse ourselves, cooking, shopping, walking the dogs, and sightseeing. Chantal celebrated her birthday during my visit, so I had a great opportunity to speak French with her friends at several celebratory parties !

Chantal is an excellent teacher, always kind and patient despite having to correct me constantly (which is, of course, the whole idea). The separate studio is extremely private and comfortable and Chantal is a superb cook. I love the family aspect of having meals with her mother, Liliane, and with her partner, Stéphane. Conversations are always lively and full of laughter.

If you’re looking for a casual, warm and welcoming experience where you can learn and practice French in a supportive manner, you can’t do better than a stay with Chantal. I’m already counting the days until I return in June !

Helen, Margaret, Mandy : February 2020

Chantal is a very cheerful, caring and competent teacher. There is no better way than to learn under the joyful atmosphere. We had so much laughters together and we learn so much during this week. 
The 3 of us are of 3 different levels yet Chantal catered for each of us well. We were so good taken care of that we started missing her and her dear mother long before we leave. We would definitely want to come back soon for another immersion week.

Sarah : December 2019

I had a wonderful second trip staying with Chantal for 1 week. I had been the previous year and it was lovely to return.

I felt less nervous this time as I knew what to expect and my French is considerably better (having learned a lot with Chantal previously). I had a wonderful week concentrating on grammatical areas that I am weak on and enjoying some great conversations on French politics and Macron’s pension reforms.

Chantal and her family were so welcoming and included me like part of the family. Chantal’s cooking is to die for and typically French. My husband who speaks no French is keen to join next time just so he can sample the gastronomie!

We did a number of cultural afternoon trips to nearby towns and attractions.

I am already planning my third trip back.

Liz & Roger : October 2019

We had an extremely enjoyable week with Chantal at her family home in Picardie.

The situation is perfect with students in their own cottage in the garden, breakfast and lessons with Chantal, then a lovely lunch next door with her mother.

Chantal is a very warm and welcoming person who made the lessons very relaxed and enjoyable. She is an excellant teacher working at our pace and incorporating things she had picked up in our conversations at breakfast or lunch that we were finding difficult.

We feel that we have improved our grammar but more importantly we have gained lots of confidence in talking French, which was our main objective.

Mariuxi : October 2019

I spent a week with Chantal and her family in Picardie during the month of October. It was a great experience, a true immersion. I didn’t speak any English during my time there.

My French improved greatly (that was what a friend in Paris told me later), and I also felt more comfortable speaking it.

It was a week in a real French household, and besides the lessons, the meals, and scheduled touristic visits, I had the opportunity to go out with Chantal to run errands. She is a patient teacher, upbeat, a fantastic cook, and great tour guide.

The studio is extremely comfortable and well appointed.

Lunch with her charming mother was a bonus. The meals that Chantal prepared were excellent, made with fresh ingredients (I’m a vegetarian and Chantal adapted her cooking accordingly; delicious). I miss the good French cuisine and the conversations about French culture and history.

Mouy is a quaint little town, walkable, safe, and people do not talk to you in English if you struggle a little to communicate, like they do sometimes in Paris.

All in all, an excellent immersion experience. I’m so glad I did it.

Luisa : October 2019

Thank you very much Chantal for a most interesting and educating experience.

You are a wonderful teacher as well as an excellent cook!

I truly enjoyed my week with you and your sweet mother, you were so delightful and kind. My accommodations were very comfortable, and I really appreciate that you and Stephane met

me at the train station upon my arrival as well as the drive to the airport so early in the morning.

Our afternoon trips to Chateau Chantilly, Compligne and Sentis, were a lot of fun.

You may add “expertly knowledgeable tour guide” to your credentials because you made everything interesting and extra special.

I learned much more French that I expected. It gave me much more confidence by being immersed in the language. Not only you made me feel part of the family, but after a few days with you,

I felt French! Thanks again, Chantal. Que Dieu te bénisse.

Michelle : September 2019

I had the pleasure of staying with Chantal for one week in September. It was an incredible experience.

Chantal is very warm and welcoming and takes care to make her students feel right at home. From the moment Chantal and Stéphane picked me up at the train station and greeted me with bisous they treated me like family. The student bungalow is spotlessly clean and cozy, having all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay.

Chantal is a great teacher – she quickly assessed my speaking ability and identified what I needed to work on. Each morning we walked to the boulangerie and boucherie, then chatted over breakfast. This was followed by three hours of focused instruction with verbal and written exercises and the occasional humorous video. Chantal is patient and would kindly correct my mistakes and prompt me when I was searching for a word. We spoke in French exclusively and covered a lot of complex topics which I could understand because she tailored her speech to my level of comprehension.

My favorite part of the day was lunch, which we shared each day with her mother, Liliane. Chantal is an excellent cook and I enjoyed watching her in the kitchen and making notes of her recipes. I most enjoyed talking to Liliane, who could understand my grammatically incorrect French and told me many stories of her home and of growing up in Paris during WWII. Although I didn’t expect dinner, each night Chantal or Stéphane would appear at my door with a simple dinner on a tray. It was perfect.

We took two excursions, visiting the chateau at Chantilly and Friday morning market in Senlis. Each day we took the dogs for a quick run in the country. After lunch I walked into Mouy and explored the picturesque village and hiked the nature trails in a nearby park. The pool right outside my door was very inviting but the weather was a bit too chilly for me to take advantage of it.

I highly recommend this immersion program. To me, the one-on-one instruction and ability to live with a family and participate in their daily lives makes this a cultural experience that goes beyond simple language instruction. Chantal is a gracious host, a knowledgable tour guide and an excellent instructor who welcomes you into her family. As a student, I couldn’t ask for more.

Lonnie : September 2019

I completed an immersion course with Chantal in September. I could not have been more pleased! I was picked up at a local train station by Chantal and Stephan.

The accommodations were very comfortable. Chantal is an EXCELLENT cook and truly, the lunches were comparable to what one would find in a five star restaurant! They even invited me to have dinner with them a couple times which was beyond what they needed to do. They are such a fun couple!

I enjoyed the bantering with Stephan. He’s such a fun person and the life of the party! I was truly immersed in Chantal and Stephan’s life for a week which included going to the local bakery, grocery store, going to a gym to work out with them, going to a local swimming pool twice during the week, visiting an outdoor market and also visiting a nearby chateau.

I also very much enjoyed visiting with Chantal’s mother every day at lunch. She’s a very sweet, charming, and elegant lady and had many stories to tell from her experience as a child living in Paris during the second World War.

Mouy is a charming village and I enjoyed walking from my apartment to the village, only about a five minute walk, to visit the local boulangerie, patisserie and grocery store. My lessons were challenging but Chantal was always there to encourage me and explained things ever so well. I learned SO MUCH!

I can strongly this program without any hesitation! I hope that those students who come after me continue to PUSH Stephan to TAKE CHANTAL ON A CRUISE!!

Erica : September 2019

I recently spent a week with Chantal and her gorgeous family (Stephane, Liliane and their 3 dogs) at their home in Mouy in the north of France. My first ever immersion! What a unique and fabulous experience it was, surpassing my expectations in every way!

Chantal is a fantastic and very patient teacher who within minutes of meeting you, has assessed your level of competency and designed a teaching program specific to your needs. Any weaknesses are quickly identified and exercises given to overcome them.

Not only did my french conversation skills improve during the course of my stay, I came away feeling I had made some wonderful friends. I soon discovered that Chantal and I share a love for cooking, so from this
perspective I was delighted to join Chantal on her daily walk to the local boulangerie, boucherie and supermarché where she would purchase the necessary ingredients for the days cooking, and where the local vendors were sure to provide her with only the best and freshest produce.

A typical day on immersion started with a visit to the boulangerie, followed by a delicious continental breakfast with Chantal after which, the formal lesson would begin. At around 11am Chantal would commence
lunch preparations. I would either be assisting with the peeling of the vegetables, taking notes (in the hope that I could replicate the recipe on my return home) or doing some revision. Lunch was definitely one of the highlights of the day. This we shared with Chantal’s Mum Liliane, in her home, at the other end of the property (the original part of the house!) Liliane is an absolutely delightful lady and I thoroughly enjoyed our little chats over lunch which I’m happy to report became more fluent as the week progressed, my confidence growing with each passing day.

In the afternoons we often went by car on an excursion. The first of these was to visit the Château de Chantilly. What a beautiful château, great to photograph and steeped in history. I was thrilled to see 3 original Raphael paintings hanging there, amongst many other treasures. The next adventure was to the village of Compeigne where Jeanne d’Arc was most famously captured. Our last excursion was to visit the lovely village of Senlis, one of Chantal’s favourite villages and easy to see why. It was so picturesque and the shopping was great too!!!

Dinner was either a shared experience with Chantal and Stephane or a tray of goodies personally delivered to the studio for my enjoyment. Either way it was a culinary delight. The food, company and conversation
at meal times was always fabulous and I was made to feel very much part of the family.

My ‘home away from home’ was a lovely purpose-built bungalow overlooking the pool and gardens. It was extremely comfortable and very well-equipped, there was nothing I wanted for. I only wish I could have stayed longer and made better progress on the pile of french movies! Next time….. :)

Whilst I initially booked the immersion with the aim of improving my french conversation skills, the rewards were much more than this. Chantal’s relaxed and friendly demeanour made you feel at home from the very beginning and the learning process a most enjoyable one. It was a fantastic experience and I can’t wait to return!

Brian, Nancy & Adam : September 2019

The French immersion was a wonderful experience and I cannot praise Chantal’s teaching ability enough. She quickly assessed my ability by conversing with me after picking me up at the Airport. She then selected lessons to strengthen my weaknesses. We worked a solid three hours per day with lessons and she gave me an hour or two of homework to practice each evening on my own.

Beyond the lessons, we were also speaking French a great deal at the breakfast and lunch table and during our excursions. She was constantly correcting me, but did it in a very friendly way and I appreciated it. The whole point of the trip was improving my ability to communicate properly and I could sense good progress. No one will magically become fluent in one week but I definitely felt more confident in using my French by the end of the week and felt more prepared to handle my classes upon my return home.

Chantal and her partner, Stephane, were also the most wonderful hosts. They could not have been more friendly and welcoming to us and treated us as if we were part of their own family.

I traveled with my wife and teenage son and we stayed in the bungalow unit next to the pool. It was very comfortable for three people. We took our breakfast in Chantal’s home just before beginning the day’s lessons. We had our main meal in the afternoon with Chantal and her mother in the main house, which is connected to the home of Chantal and Stephane.

Speaking with Chantal’s mom, who only spoke French, was a big part of the learning experience. The food was always wonderful and all we really needed in the evening was a light snack to satisfy us until the next morning. We also had a few opportunities to use the pool in the evening and it was very relaxing.

My wife and son were not participating in the lessons but they occupied themselves exploring the town while I was busy. Mouy is a small town and there was not a lot to do there, but there are markets, parks and a train station within walking distance.

My family and I took the train to Gare du Nord-Paris one afternoon by ourselves and we explored the Montmartre neighborhood and visited Sacre Coeur, which is within walking distance of the Paris station. We also did two afternoon excursions with Chantal serving as our tour guide. We explored the Chateau at Chantilly and the Ville of Compiegne. Both were beautiful and Chantal explained the sites to me in French and I translated into English for my family.

Chantal picked us up and dropped us off at Charles deGaulle airport so we got by the whole week without a car. Since we took the train to Paris and did our excursions with Chantal, a car was not necessary during the week. You may want to explore more areas by the train or rent a car to drive but that is an individual determination. We got along fine without a car rental.

One final piece of advice. We arrived in France three days before the immersion week began and we used that time to take the train to Strasbourg and explore that city before taking the train back to the airport and meeting Chantal. That provided time to recover from the jet lag of the trip to Europe. I think I would have been too tired to concentrate on the language lessons if I had begun them the very next day after arriving in France. So I was glad we had a few days to adjust to the time change before beginning the immersion lessons and then returned home after the immersion week was done.

In sum, a wonderful week. I felt I learned more about French culture and language being in Chantal’s house than ever would have been possible if I had stayed in a hotel and spent the week visiting tourist attractions. This was my first immersion vacation.

I hope to participate in more immersion experiences in the future. I fully recommend Chantal to anyone interested in this type of experience.

Charles : August 219

My week of French immersion with Chantal, her partner Stephen, and her mother Liliane was pleasant and profitable beyond all expectations. Pleasant in the way I was made to feel completely at home, and profitable from the standpoint of improving my French. The first emails I exchanged with Chantal gave me a strong impression that this was going to be very good, and by the end of second day I felt like an old friend. Chantal advises that she has clients who come 3-4 times a year and some who stay for 2 or 3 weeks at a time, and after experiencing their hospitality (and Chantal’s cooking!) it is easy to see why.

Chantal asked in advance if I wanted to mix touring with French immersion or go “all-in” on the latter. I was “all-in” and thus, in addition to 2-3 hours of intense French instruction each morning, I accompanied Chantal during her daily routine: the morning walk to the boulangerie for fresh bread, into the countryside to run the dogs, to the super marché, etc. While the main meal was being prepared I either helped with the chopping and dicing or sat on a bar stool and carried on chatting. After the midday meal I had a few hours to myself to catch a nap and work on the homework quizzes that Chantal provided each morning. In the evenings we got together in the garden for a light meal and more conversation.

Stephane is a great host in his own right and has quite a sense of humor. He goes to work early most days but when he’s home he is very much part of the experience. Chantal is accomplished at dialing down the speed of what she is saying to suit the student’s level but Stephen lets it rip at normal French speed, which keeps you grounded in reality. And to my happy surprise, as the week passed I found that I understood more and more of what he said the first time (I’m somewhere in intermediate-land). Liliane is also very much part of the experience too – she joined us every day for the big midday meal and added a great deal to the conversation, in moderately paced French that I was able to follow right off. Her recollections of growing up in wartime Paris are priceless.

For someone really trying to master French this is the ultimate experience – my French- speaking colleagues at work are helpful with my attempts to learn their language but they can only tolerate so much. With Chantal it is the whole idea and she has infinite patience. How do you say this, how do you say that, could you repeat that, no don’t say it that way, say it this way, etc. – you get the idea. It’s a gold mine!

Jacque, Kaylin, Madison & Torsten Family July 2019

Thank you very much again for your hospitality. We sincerely enjoyed our stay and would recommend your program to anyone. Your house was very nice and fitted our family size but what made the stay unforgettable was the time we spend during meals.

We also very much appreciated that you adjusted your French Language Program to the skill level of our children. They not only had fun but also learned a lot which will help them in their upcoming French Language Classes at school.

Thanks again for the great memories and all the best!

Jan : July 2019

I have been learning French for 3 1/2 years and one of my main goals in learning besides being able to read and write in French, but be able to converse fluently in this wonderful language.

It was recommended to me by my French Teacher in Australia that an immersion stay in France would help me with my confidence and give my comprehension and conversation skills a real boost. And so that is how I came to have an immersion stay with Chantal.

I have to say that my time with Chantal, and also with her family and friends, exceeded all my expectations.

On being very warmly welcomed into her home, Chantal then very quickly picked up not only on my current level of French but how I best learn. A mix of classroom, general conversation and being out and about.

For example, we would walk down to the bakery each morning to buy fresh baguettes for breakfast, chatting away in French (with me being corrected very gently with my grammar and accent when required). In addition, I was given many opportunities to participate in the day to day life of a French family as well as life in a small village. It was fabulous!

Yes, I did not always understand conversations around me, but I never once felt excluded. I was more often than not content to just listen and soak in the rhythm and flow of the language, all the time improving my comprehension skills. In saying that though, I often surprised myself at how much I understood – or at least the overall gist of the conversation!

I would highly recommend anyone thinking of doing an Immersion Stay to take the plunge. You will not regret it, especially if you stay with Chantal. It is an experience I will never forget and I know that I will be back for another stay with Chantal. I still have a lot of improving to do!

Andrea : July 2019

My 3 weeks that I spent in Mouy with Chantal and her family was great. From the moment that I arrived at the airport I felt like I had come back home. That is how comfortable Chantal and her family make you feel. They are so welcoming and they make you feel like part of their family.
This was my 3rd time staying with Chantal. Everyday I would have lunch with Chantal and her mother and this time round I was able to communicate with Chantal’s mother without having to have Chantal present. I was so happy as this was such a great improvement for me to be able to do this. I was even able to give directions to a lady in the street as to where the Sunday market was.
Each visit that I have had I have learnt such a lot and I will continue to learn more and more with each visit.
I found that it was such a rewarding experience to go and learn a different culture and way of life. I had lessons everyday. We went sightseeing and we did some ‘Retail Therapy’ which is a new word for Chantal. I had to explain to her that it meant ‘shopping’.
I am booked in again in June to which I am looking forward to.
Thank you Chantal for everything and I cannot wait to see you, Stephane, your lovely mother and the fur babies again next year.

John : June 2019

If you are looking for a super French immersion program, look no further. Chantal offers the best.

First of all, the accommodations are outstanding. You will have a wonderful, clean, and private room with a private bathroom in a small cottage just adjacent to the house. It is nicely furnished and includes cable television and WI-Fi that works perfectly. Just outside is a swimming pool that is easily accessible and kept warm with a pool cover.

More importantly, however, is the personal attention that Chantal will give you. Her warm personality made me feel included, set me at ease, and made me feel as if I were part of the family. Mealtimes were especially important for this, very traditionally French, and I must add that Chantal and her mother Liliane are the bomb chefs!

In addition, Chantal encouraged me to run errands with her, go shopping, and she even took me to the nearby town for my dry-cleaning. She used every opportunity available to help me expand my French vocabulary and improve my grammar.

There are of course, the structured lessons as well. Chantal is an outstanding teacher with superb credentials. Her teaching methods and instructional materials are up to date, motivating, and effective. It is obvious that she has a lot of experience working with foreign students. She is positive, upbeat, and encouraging. I learned so much during the 10 days I spent with her and her family.

It was an incredible experience that I hope to repeat someday in the future.

Pamela : May 2019

Quelle aventure!

The first of my two weeks with Chantal were spent in Provence with a group of her friends, 16 French natives in all!

It was quite an exciting experience although I found it challenging to follow all of the simultaneous conversations in rapid-fire French! This was truly a total language immersion and an unforgettable week. I’m so grateful to have been invited to share the fun.

The second week at Chantal’s beautiful home in Mouy was a bit more tranquil, but still packed with activities: daily dog walks, movie night at the cinema, local sightseeing, shopping and gardening.

Chantal is an amazing cook and her food is truly remarkable: roast beef, côte de veau with morels, leg of lamb, coquilles St. Jacques, and excellent composed salads. I especially enjoy the opportunity to eat lunch every day with Chantal’s adorable mother (who makes the best potatoes I have ever eaten). The only problem with the cooking chez Chantal is my expanding waist-line!

And then there’s Stéphane, Chantal’s partner, who is charismatic, charming and very, very fun.

If French conversation is your goal, you won’t want for opportunities with Chantal and Stéphane. Their welcome is so warm and genuine that you immediately feel part of the family.

Mille mercis Chantal et Stéphane – I can’t wait to return for our next adventure!

Gary : April 2019

This was my second stay with Chantal and the latest experience was just as great as the first.

The conversation was always interesting and Chantal patiently helped me fill in the gaps when I was missing a word or an expression.  Her gentle, but firm corrections stuck with me and there are certain mistakes I know I won’t make again.

The studio is very comfortable and spacious, and the meals were fabulous.

Since I had visited before and seen the sights that were close by, Chantal took me to visit Beauvais and Giverny, which exceeded my expectations.  She and her companion Stéphane are very welcoming and kind, and after 2 visits and many emails and messages in between, I consider them friends.

I can’t wait for my next visit!

Stephen : April 2019

I am a 65 year-old Australian retiree with an ambition to increase my fluency in verbal communication. My ten days chez Chantal did more to increase the fluidity and confidence of my spoken French than anything I have ever done before. Firstly, Chantal and her family made me feel completely at home from the first moment.

Lunches with her mother Liliane were a joy, it felt instantly I was a friend dining amongst friends, and many of my inhibitions about speaking the language evaporated as my self-confidence grew as I realized they actually understood what I was saying. Chantal focused on a number of my weaknesses (common ones for English-speakers I am told), and we also focused on a number of complete sentence constructions which had previously baffled me.

Mostly however, I just had a wonderful time exploring a most beautiful region of France with Chantal – we went to the Friday market at Senlis which was for me, a food-lover, something out of a picture-book of a typical French life. Speaking of food, Chantal’s cooking is a highlight, and each meal was delicious, balanced and better than one experiences in many restaurants. The coquilles St-Jacques – the flavour sof that dish, Chantal, will remain in my palate memory for a long time. A very high benchmark was set!

Attending a couple of parties with a large group of her friends was a bit like being thrown in at the deep end, but I enjoyed the challenge, and was able to join in the spirit, as well as surprising myself by having a number of long conversations.

Over the course of my stay we visited the chateau at Chantilly, Compiègne, Pierrefonds, as well as the expedition to Senlis, surely one of the most beautiful towns in France. As I was keen to visit the cathedral at Amiens we made a long trip on my final say, with another fine lunch was prepared by her daughter Eliane (at Roye, close to Amiens).I also made a few trip by myself using the excellent rail connections available from Mouy.

I said good-bye to Chantal feeling as if I were saying “au revoir” to a friend. Thank you Chantal, Stéphane, Liliane and Eliane for your warmth and hospitality.

Sarah : March 2019

Thank you to Chantal and her family for an unforgettable week. It surpassed all my expectations. I was made to feel extremely welcome from the start. I was very nervous as my French was extremely rusty (although I understood quite a bit) my French speaking virtually non existent. But immediately I felt at ease with Chantal and her partner Stefan who collected me from the airport. They were both very friendly and patient and I amazed myself that I somehow managed to make myself understood!

Chantal makes you feel very at ease,  so that very quickly I didn’t feel self conscious about my rusty French and was happy to just have a go at saying what I wanted. Chantal offers lots of constructive feedback and corrects in a gentle, encouraging manner even if you keep making the same mistakes!

Chantal.is a superb cook and I was treated to a lunchtime feast every day. The food was delicious and typically French. We ate everyday with Chantal’s mother who was a delight. She was very welcoming, chatty and engaging. I much enjoyed my conversations with her.

Chantal and Stefan were very generous and often brought me some soup or quiche for supper – even though I had been fed very well at lunch.

I much enjoyed my various afternoon trips. For example one afternoon we went to Chateau de Chantilly where I learned a great deal about French history and art. Chantal is very knowledgeable. We also visited the very pretty nearby town of Senlis another afternoon and enjoyed a drink in a typically French brasserie. We also spent an afternoon visiting the nearby lyceé where Chantal helps her friend with a youth drama group. Her friend was extremely friendly and welcoming.  It was fascinating to meet some enthusiastic  French teenagers and watch them act out their plays. It really added to my already wonderful authentic stay.

The bungalow is very comfortable. It is SO peaceful. I slept like a log. It was arather chilly and rainy week but the heating in the bungalow is excellent and i was wonderfully warm. The WIFI is excellent and there are plenty of mod cons : coffee maker/tv/dvd/microwave/mini oven/fridge etc.

I found I learned an awful lot of French during my 1 week stay and returned home to the UK feeling much more confident about my spoken French. I much look forward to returning next year.