Is this a school?
No. FIL is a one-on-one immersion programme. No classroom. No textbook. No other students. You live and learn with me, in Lyon, in French, from morning to night.
What level do I need to start?
Any level. Total beginners welcome. The programme adapts to you, not the other way around.
Do I need to speak any French before I arrive?
No. If you did, you wouldn't need me.
How is this different from Alliance Française, italki, or a tutor at home?
Hours per day, for one. A weekly group class gives you 2 hours of French. A tutor on Zoom gives you 1. FIL gives you 14+ hours of French every day, for a week or more, with one teacher who knows your goals. That's not the same product.
What does a typical day look like?
Breakfast in French. A morning activity in French — market, museum, walk. Lunch in French. An afternoon activity in French. Dinner in French. Sleep. Repeat. See the full week.
Will I actually be able to speak French at the end?
You'll speak more French in one week with FIL than in a year of evening classes. How fluent depends on where you start and how long you stay. What I guarantee: you will leave thinking in French, not translating.
Do you give homework?
No. The day is the homework. You'll be too tired by dinner — in the best way.
Will we only speak French the whole time?
That's the goal. The first day is always the hardest. By day three, you'll stop reaching for English.
Do you teach grammar?
Yes — but not the way you remember it. Grammar comes up when it's useful, not on a schedule. You'll learn the rules because you needed them, not before.
What if I plateau mid-week?
It happens. We slow down, change the activity, go somewhere new. Immersion has a rhythm — I know when to push and when to let it breathe.
What's included in the price?
Accommodation in my home in Lyon. Three meals a day. All activities and outings. Teaching, morning to night. Materials. You arrive with a suitcase. That's it.
What's not included?
Flights to Lyon. Travel insurance. Personal expenses outside the programme. Anything you want to bring back home.
How long should I stay?
One week minimum. Two weeks is the sweet spot. Some clients stay a month. The longer you stay, the deeper it goes.
What's the best time of year to come?
Any season works, honestly. Spring and autumn are the sweet spots — mild, quieter, the light is good. Summer is lively. Winter has the Fête des Lumières in December, which alone is worth the flight.
How do I get to Lyon from the US?
Fly into Lyon Saint-Exupéry (LYS) directly from a few US hubs, or via Paris CDG with a 2-hour TGV. I'll send you a full arrival guide once you book.
What's the food like — can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Tell me before you arrive and we'll handle it. Vegetarian, gluten-free, allergies — Lyon's market culture makes this easier than you'd think, not harder.
Is there WiFi? Can I work remotely part of the time?
There's WiFi. Some clients work mornings and immerse afternoons — it's possible, though the less you split your attention, the faster you progress.
Can I bring a partner or a friend?
Yes — one additional guest is welcome. They join the meals, the outings, the city. The teaching stays one-on-one: your French, your pace, your goals. Their French too, if they want it — just in separate sessions.
I'm coming with my partner. Do we both need to speak French?
No. One of you can be a total beginner, the other intermediate — it doesn't matter. The programme adapts to each of you individually. What works is that you're both in it: at the table, at the market, in the conversation. That's where it happens for both of you.
Is Lyon a good city for LGBTQ+ travellers?
Very. Lyon has a lively, unpretentious queer scene — bars, events, a Pride that actually feels like a party rather than a parade. More importantly, it's a city where nobody looks twice. You'll feel at home here.
How far in advance do I need to book?
At least 4–6 weeks ideally, earlier in summer. The programme is one person at a time — when it's booked, it's booked.
Can I extend my stay mid-week if I want to stay longer?
If the calendar allows it, yes. It's happened before. Just ask.
Do you have references I can speak to?
Yes. Once we've had an initial conversation, I can connect you with a former client. I'd rather you heard it from them.
What if I don't click with you, or it's not what I expected?
Tell me on day one. We'll fix it, adjust it, or — if it's really not working — I'll refund the unused days. Immersion only works if you're comfortable.
What if I have to cancel?
Life happens. Full refund up to 30 days before arrival. 50% between 30 and 14 days. After that, we look at rescheduling first before anything else.
Who are you?
Théodore Legrand. Born in Lyon. Lived in six countries. Speak five languages. Spent ten years in pharmaceutical engineering and product management before launching FIL. The programme started when I taught my former boss French — he asked, it worked, and here we are.
What neighbourhood do you live in?
Central Lyon — easy walking distance to the old town, the markets, the river. You won't need a car.
Do you have a car? Can we do day trips?
Yes. Day trips are part of the programme — Beaujolais, the Vercors, the Rhône valley. We go where the week takes us.
