STUDY FRENCH IN FRANCE WITH COURSES TAILORED TO YOUR LEVEL - IN SMALL GROUPS OR ONE-TO-ONE - IN A WARM, WELCOMING, AND SOCIABLE ENVIRONMENT.
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Study French in France at a high-quality, established language school
As a private higher education institution, École Suisse Internationale welcomes you all year round to learn French in a friendly and supportive setting. Whether you're a complete beginner or an advanced learner, we offer effective teaching methods and flexible programmes tailored to your individual needs.
What learning French at École Suisse Internationale means for you:
- Flexible French programmes adapted to your level and your availability.
- Small group or one-to-one classes, so you can get the most out of your lessons, speak French regularly, and progress quickly.
- The professionalism of a qualified and highly motivated teaching and administrative team, supporting you at every stage of your learning journey.
- Personalised support based on your profile, your pace, and your goals.
- A warm, family-like atmosphere in spacious, comfortable, fully equipped classrooms so you feel right at home.
- A quality-driven approach, certified each year by the Swiss EduQua label, to ensure our programmes fully meet your expectations and follow high-level quality standards.
For most of our students, École Suisse is THE best French language school!
What’s the secret to our success? An experience that goes far beyond just French lessons: you’ll enjoy an atmosphere and organisation that make learning both enjoyable and effective, with a focus on friendliness, meaningful connections, and a warm, supportive environment - all within comfortable, welcoming, and beautifully designed spaces.
École Suisse Internationale: a unique approach and atmosphere — three ways to enjoy it
Study French at École Suisse in Paris
Join small-group classes by level or opt for individual one-to-one lessons: École Suisse in Paris welcomes you all year round in a historic building full of charm. Enjoy a high-quality learning experience tailored to your needs. Every week, you are welcome to take part in a cultural outing to explore the French capital, discover surprising places and local history all while improving your French.
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Study the French language in France at École Suisse in Dijon
Specialising in group-based French courses, École Suisse welcomes you to Dijon, the capital of Burgundy. Whether you are a school group, a group of university students, adult professionals, or French teachers — enjoy full cultural immersion in a vibrant French city with a rich historical heritage.
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Learn French with our online courses
No time to travel? Limited availability to book regular classes? Want to improve your French before arriving in France, prepare for an exam, or meet a professional goal? École Suisse Internationale offers 100% online French courses so you can learn from the comfort of your own home!
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Our French course options for foreigners
French classes in small groups
Join our small group French classes and practice speaking confidently. Available from beginner to advanced levels, these group lessons focus on oral communication so you can finally speak French without fear!
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Private lessons and DELF/DALF exam preparation
Need to improve a specific skill in your French learning? Writing, listening, speaking… We offer fully personalised private lessons tailored to your goals. Planning to take a French exam to certify your level? We provide private courses dedicated to preparing for the DELF or DALF exams, adapted to your level.
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Professional French courses
Are you an expat working in a French company? Do you need to improve your professional communication in French to better understand your colleagues? Do you want to grasp the cultural codes of your work environment? Discover our Business French courses: tailor-made programmes designed for your specific industry!
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Why choose École Suisse Internationale to study French in France?
- Genuine immersion in the French language and culture.
- Opportunities for exchange and intensive speaking practice during and outside classes.
- An active, participatory teaching approach.
- A methodical, practical French learning experience.
- Original course materials developed entirely by our teaching team.
- Individualised support tailored to your needs and goals.
- Native French-speaking teachers committed to helping you progress quickly.
- Spacious, comfortable facilities for lessons, breaks, self-study, and reading.
- A social life within the school with discussions and meetings with students from all over the world.
- Complete immersion in French history and lifestyle.
With École Suisse Internationale and its team, discover the joy of learning and expressing yourself in French. Come share an authentic experience in French! Join a language school considered by many students as the best French language school!
Welcome to École Suisse Internationale, a language school where French has been taught for over 100 years
École Suisse Internationale is the main activity of the Cercle Commercial Suisse, a non-profit association founded in 1881. Our French language school for foreigners was established in Paris in 1933. The Dijon school opened its doors in 1995. Over these many years, École Suisse Internationale has gained extensive experience working with diverse international audiences (students, professionals, teachers…) from all over the world who come to study French in France.
Our students share their experience
Laura Aimée
(translated) During my solo trip to Paris, I decided to brush up on my French skills, which had become a bit rusty since leaving school, and I can now wholeheartedly recommend the École Suisse in Paris! :)
I opted for the one-week intensive course, although most of the people I met had actually been attending the school for longer.
For me, however, this period was the perfect combination of learning French and discovering Paris! :)
There were seven people in our B1/B2 group and all the teachers always make a huge effort to meet everyone at their current level, which works really well!
Although there were minimal differences in language skills, you could see how well the group learned together and what great progress was made on an individual level! The materials used and the teachers' pedagogical skills are also better than at the Lycée in some cases :D!
The Wednesday outing to the Jardin de Luxembourg with all the language school participants was a real highlight, and overall the atmosphere in class was relaxed and friendly, we always laughed a lot together. :)
Merci beaucoup to the whole team for the wonderful (learning) experiences I was able to have with you! I will definitely be back! :) (March 2026)
Myriam
(Translated) I loved this school. I attended in December and was pleasantly surprised by the warmth of all the staff. They gave me a placement test and assigned me to a group. There were only three of us, which allowed for very personalised attention from the teachers.
Something about this school that I haven't found in others is that you have several teachers, which helps you hear French from different people. This keeps you alert and learning quickly.
I think the group outings on Wednesdays are fabulous!
Its proximity to the Poissonnières metro station is also very good! Just two blocks away!
If I return to study French in France, I would definitely choose this school again. (December 2025)
Andrea
(Translated) I studied French at this school during a week-long study holiday and it was a wonderful experience that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in improving their French.
I started from an uneven level (I studied French at university several years ago and recently took up the language again with a few courses), so I was a little apprehensive when I was placed in the most advanced group. Instead, it was the right choice: I immediately had the opportunity to put into practice a language that I otherwise only experienced passively, skills that were just waiting for the right stimulus.
The classes focus on conversation and the teachers are very good at putting everyone at ease, regardless of their level. The classroom activities are fun and encourage everyone to participate. There is no shortage of explanations of grammatical aspects, both in class and with specific exercises to do at home to fill in any gaps.
Obviously, I didn't become bilingual in a week, but the course and the friendly atmosphere at the school motivated me to resume studying French and to speak to anyone without hesitation during my stay in Paris.
I will gladly return to the École Suisse, both to say hello to the staff the next time I pass through Paris and, I hope, to repeat the experience.
Thank you for everything! (November 2025)
Amanda
This October, I attended École Suisse for three weeks to brush up on my rather rusty French skills. During these three weeks I truly had a wonderful time. The school is excellent and you really learn a lot in class. All the staff members are incredibly kind and helpful. From the frist moment they make you feel so welcomed. Every Wednesday afternoon there’s a small excursion — it’s not mandatory, but it’s definitely worth joining. I would recommend staying in one of the studios directly above the school. The studios are rather small but extremely practical and, in my opinion, perfectly sufficient. Plus, the proximity to the school is unbeatable. All in all, I can wholeheartedly recommend École Suisse and would happily return anytime. (November 2025)
Kate
If you are considering attending classes at École Suisse, stop considering and just do it!! The experience is exceptional. Each teacher brings their own personal touch to the classroom, and the variety of perspectives makes for a lively and engaging learning environment. Teachers rotate through, and the focus for each day rotates too (but builds on what came the day before), so each day is slightly different in tone. This means you are never without something to keep your mind engaged and curious. There is a clear focus on conversation, and I am certain my conversational ability improved ten-fold because of my time engaging with the teachers and other students at the school. Not a day went went by without both laughter and rigor… learning in this environment is just so fun and rewarding!
I also took two hours of private lessons each week, which were wonderful because here we got to focus on specific areas of interest and concern. I have been learning French for a year now, and feel like my time at École Suisse was a bit of « miracle grow » for my comprehension and confidence with the language. I cannot wait to learn more.
Thank you to each and every teacher at the school, to the incredible office staff, and to the program director - you should all be very proud of the work you do! (October 2025)
Jason
I’m sure my story is very similar to many of yours. I studied a little French in high school, a little in college, then forgot almost all of it(or so I thought) by not speaking it for over 30 years. My wife and I came to Paris last year and it resparked by love of the French language and culture.
So, my wife and I started to ‘learn’ French, with Duolingo, listening to podcasts in French, finding language exchange partners through online platforms, hiring a private tutor, joining French language groups in our home town, etc. While all of the activities helped immensely, it became clear the next step was to immerse ourselves in the language.
So began our search for a language school in France. The most well known school was quickly evident but, after consulting with people that were familiar with that school, it felt like we were looking for something different.
We found École Suisse online and were attracted to the small class sizes, older average age of the students and the cultural outings. All of my hopes and expectations were met or exceeded.
I just finished with 2 weeks at the school and my French has definitely improved greatly. We even went to a play (Oublie-moi!) in French and we could understand all of the intent and most of the dialogue. That felt awesome!
I realize this is becoming a long-winded review. The bottom line is I highly recommend École Suisse. The only thing I wish was different is I wish I could have stayed longer. My fantasy is to study at the school for 3 months straight. (October 2025)
Salome
(Translated) I can highly recommend École Suisse Internationale! The small classes and friendly atmosphere at the school, as well as the voluntary and free excursions on Wednesday afternoons, mean that you quickly feel at home and therefore make rapid progress. In addition to classroom lessons, there is also the option of attending private lessons. Here, you can choose what you want to work on.
The teachers are very friendly and provide individual support. (September 2025)
Our Latest News
Learn French and discover Paris with The Ecole Suisse : from La Villette to Mouzaïa
During Wednesday's free outing with Charly, we set off to explore Parc de la Villette, the capital's largest green space, with the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie, the Géode (a spherical cinema) and the Philharmonie.
Your Questions About Our French Language School
Why is our French language school called École Suisse Internationale?
It all goes back to 1881. That year, an association was founded in Paris by German‑speaking Swiss people who settled in the French capital. Their aim? To facilitate their cultural and professional integration into French society, especially by learning the French language. To achieve this, they established a professional language school and organised French classes in the very heart of Paris.
Over time, the school grew and a branch opened in Dijon. Today, École Suisse Internationale welcomes students from all over the world, but still retains its historic name as a homage to its Swiss origins. From its history and roots, it draws a pragmatic, effective and high‑quality approach to teaching.
Who are the students at École Suisse Internationale?
At École Suisse Internationale, our students come from all corners of the globe. Every year we welcome learners from over 40 different nationalities. In our school in Paris, more than ten nationalities are present in any given week! Our students are very diverse in age: from 18 up to over 70. Meanwhile, our Dijon campus hosts groups of all ages: school groups, students and adults.
Are the teachers at École Suisse Swiss?
Despite the name of our school, most of the FLE (French as a Foreign Language) teachers at École Suisse Internationale, as well as members of the administrative team, are French! All teachers are qualified and experienced in teaching French to non‑native speakers. Some bring additional skills, having held other occupations. All have multiple international experiences. The diversity of our teachers’ backgrounds is a strength for the school and for the students. More importantly, they love sharing their knowledge and their insights into French cultural life. Whether in Paris or Dijon, they will be delighted to give you valuable advice and local recommendations to make the most of your stay in France!
Can I start French classes at any time?
Yes! Our French programmes are available all year round. Whether you wish to study French language in France at our Paris school or online, you can enrol any week and begin your classes the following Monday (subject to availability and except for annual closure periods). The Dijon school specialises in group placements. Please get in touch so we can arrange the start of your next linguistic stay!
Does your French language school prepare for the DELF or DALF exams?
Absolutely! You can ask us for DELF and DALF exam preparation if you take your French courses in Paris or online. We generally offer a combined programme, blending group classes to strengthen general language practice and private lessons for your exam preparation.
What level do I need to have to take French classes at École Suisse Internationale?
Our French courses are open to all levels — from beginner to advanced. They are defined according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (A1 to C2). Before you start your French classes, you’ll take a placement test so we can adapt your programme to your needs and objectives.
Want to finally speak French fluently?
Join École Suisse Internationale, a high‑quality language school with over 100 years’ experience in teaching French to non‑native speakers. Don’t wait any longer: contact us now and speak French by next month. Weekly enrolment possible! (Subject to availability and annual closures.)
Ecole Suisse Paris
10 rue des Messageries 75010 PARIS
Tél. :+ 33 1 47 70 20 66
info@ecolesuisse-fle.fr
Ecole Suisse Dijon
1 rue Davout 21000 DIJON
Tél. : + 33 3 80 69 44 39
contact@ecolesuisse-fle.fr