Why learn French
in Strasbourg?
To learn French in France, you have to come all the way to Strasbourg, in the Alsace Plain, in the heart of Europe. Strasbourg is connected both to the south via the Saône and Rhône valleys and to Germany, with the city of Kehl just across the Rhine Bridge. Long contested between Germany and France, particularly during World War I and World War II, Strasbourg’s history has shaped its architecture and identity at the crossroads of Germanic and French cultures. A symbol of European integration, Strasbourg is home to all European institutions associated with the Council of Europe, including the European Court of Human Rights. It is the official seat of the European Parliament.
Strasbourg is the main economic hub of the Grand Est region. It maintains a deep-rooted tradition as a trading city, symbolized by its autonomous port, France’s second-largest river port. It is developing services for businesses and individuals, as well as activities related to communications and digital technology, and is strengthening its role as a host for major economic events. The Eurométropole comprises 33 municipalities and 31,000 businesses. Its Ecoparc reflects the commitment to combining economic development with environmental stewardship, a hallmark of Strasbourg’s governance. Tourism is also a key component of the local economy, notably featuring the famous Christmas market.
The high concentration of students in the area makes Strasbourg one of the cities with the largest student populations in France. One-third of these students are from Europe and outside Europe. Taking French classes at CIEL Strasbourg or Stralang—the two Strasbourg-based schools that are members of the Groupement FLE—is an excellent way to prepare for higher education in the city, in an environment that fosters international exchange.
To travel to Strasbourg by plane, you can fly into Strasbourg-Entzheim International Airport, or land at Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Airport or Karlsruhe-Baden-Baden Airport. The Strasbourg-Ville train station, described as a five-pronged rail hub—one of whose lines crosses the border—is the third-busiest regional train station in France and places Strasbourg just one hour and fifty minutes from Paris by TGV.
Strasbourg’s cultural life combines the richness of its historical heritage and its 11 municipal museums with performances presented by the Théâtre National de Strasbourg, the Opéra National du Rhin, the Percussions de Strasbourg, or at the Palais de la Musique et des Congrès and the Zenith d’Eckbolsheim.
The Different Types of French Classes in Strasbourg
Standard Course
The standard French as a Foreign Language course is designed for students who are only available in the mornings. They follow a 15-hour-per-week program to develop their listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills while learning about French culture and society.
Intensive Course in French as a Foreign Language
The intensive course offers maximum learning intensity in both written and spoken language, in accordance with the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, in a format of 20 hours per week spread across the morning and afternoon. The afternoon sessions are in addition to the morning sessions of the standard course. Tutoring sessions can be added to this course.
The intensive course is designed for anyone who wants to achieve a level of French that meets their needs, including students, professionals, and job seekers.
It is recommended for people who wish to certify their studies with one of the credentials issued by France Education International, which are offered at the two schools for French as a foreign language in Strasbourg: TCF, DELF, and DALF. See our special pages on this topic.
Evening Classes
At CIEL in Strasbourg, 48-hour evening courses are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, ranging from “absolute beginner” to advanced levels, and are designed for anyone whose personal commitments prevent them from attending daytime classes.
Private French Lessons in Strasbourg
Private lessons allow us to meet the specific needs of students who wish to receive additional support or an introduction tailored to their needs, in both writing and speaking. Our two French language schools in Strasbourg offer flexible solutions to meet these needs, whether regarding the course content, the schedule, or the duration of the private lessons.
Private lessons can be taken on their own or as a supplement to standard or intensive group language classes.
Preparing to Study in France
This course is designed for students who wish to pursue their studies in France through a program that combines intensive French as a Foreign Language (FLE) courses, French modules geared toward academic goals (FOU), and French for Specific Purposes (FOS) modules over the course of one or two semesters. At CIEL Strasbourg, this course leads to the “University Diploma in Preparation for Studies in France” (DUT).
Online Courses
The online French course is designed as a virtual classroom for individuals or very small groups. Its purpose is to prepare students for an in-person course or to provide an e-learning alternative for those who are unable to study on-site.
Training Programs for FLE Teachers
Sessions of varying lengths are offered to foreign teachers and prospective teachers of French as a Foreign Language (FLE). The programs include general French modules as well as courses in methodology and pedagogy to provide practical updates on the tools to be used in the classroom.
French Immersion Language Study Abroad Program
If you want to have the ideal language study abroad experience, that means signing up for a program long enough to make real progress in speaking French, fully enjoying the people you meet there, and discovering all that the city of Strasbourg and the Alsace region have to offer. An immersion experience guarantees a successful stay. For housing, you can choose to stay with host families, which is the best way to interact with locals. For those who prefer more independence, there is a wide range of options, including aparthotels, university housing, shared apartments, youth hostels, hotel residences, or hotels.
Discover our French language schools in Strasbourg
The facilities of the two schools in the FLE Consortium in Strasbourg vary in size. CIEL Strasbourg is located on the CCI Campus, which houses the various training programs offered by the Alsace Eurométropole Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Stralang is housed in a charming villa that brings together the classrooms and administrative offices for FLE instruction, making day-to-day life more convenient thanks to the close proximity of all facilities. In both cases, the teaching staff are closely attuned to students’ needs in small classes. Both schools are easily accessible, as they are located directly across from a tram stop. Both schools can accommodate German professionals taking advantage of Bildungsurlaub.
Contact our French language schools in Strasbourg
CIEL de Strasbourg - CCI Campus Alsace
234 Avenue de Colmar 67021 Strasbourg
16 Rue Jean-Henri-Schnitzler 67000 Strasbourg
How much does a French class cost in Strasbourg?
Tuition at both schools is approximately 200 euros per week for 15 hours of classes per week. The rate is on a sliding scale for periods longer than two weeks or three months. In addition, there may be an application fee at the time of registration and a “Vie Etudiante” contribution of 105 euros for students with student status.
The cost of lodging depends on the type of accommodation—whether with a host family or in more independent housing.
Choose Strasbourg for a Successful Language Immersion Experience
Living in Strasbourg as part of a language immersion program guarantees a stay where it’s easy to immerse yourself in the city’s daily life. Like the locals, you’ll choose to get around by tram. Its six lines serve the city and eight municipalities in the metropolitan area, with 74 stops all the way to Kehl. There’s a stop right in front of CIEL Strasbourg and Stralang, the two French language schools of the Groupement FLE. You can also use France’s first cycling network, called EuroVelo, whose amazing routes will take you all the way to Switzerland or the vineyards of Alsace!
For a leisurely weekend stroll, take your time exploring the medieval streets of the historic center, which occupies “la Grande Ile.” Stroll through the Petite France district, then visit the monumental Notre-Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic art whose spire rises to 142 meters. Looking for green spaces? Head to one of the city’s many parks, especially the Parc de l’Orangerie across from the Palais de l’Europe. There, you’ll be surprised to discover a mini-farm, a lake, and a waterfall, as well as a stork sanctuary—the stork is the emblem of Alsace, and you’ll spot their nests on the chimneys of local homes. Don’t forget that you can also take a boat ride on the Rhine, and that numerous river routes allow you to explore the region’s rich heritage by boat. As you explore, mingle with the locals and get used to their accent—marked by a lilting intonation and often elongated vowels—which may sound quite different from what you learned in school, but that’s all part of the experience.
Treat yourself to a meal at one of Strasbourg’s traditional restaurants, where you can savor a hearty serving of choucroute garnie, tarte flambée, and Alsatian Kouglof.
Finally, if you’re in Strasbourg during the winter, you won’t want to miss the 300 chalets at the Christmas Market, spread across a dozen locations from late November through December 24, which make Strasbourg the Christmas Capital.
As you continue your exploration, you’ll learn that the famous “Marseillaise” was written by Rouget de l’Isle at the request of the mayor of Strasbourg in 1792. Don’t be surprised to find a square named after Gutenberg. It was in Strasbourg that he invented the equipment used in printing.
FAQ
👉The reason CIEL Strasbourg and Stralang are part of the Groupement FLE is that both schools hold the FLE Quality Label and meet additional requirements, including a continuous focus on each student’s progress and the excellence of their teaching staff.
Students enrolled at Stralang are eligible for the student benefits provided by the CROUS.
In partnership with Tours Langue, a school belonging to the Groupement FLE in Tours, Stralang offers a French as a Foreign Language (FLE) and pastry course.
👉 The 15-hour-per-week course costs about 800 euros per month at CIEL in Strasbourg and at Stralang, with a sliding-scale discount for longer stays.
For housing, contact each school to get an accurate quote based on your choice.
👉Whether you’re looking for a host family, a college dorm, an apartment hotel, a shared apartment, or a youth hostel, CIEL Strasbourg and Stralang offer a service to help you make your choice.
👉 This is a question that can only be answered if several factors are known, including your starting level, your desired level, and the amount of time you plan to devote to learning. In any case, a placement test taken before you begin your course will help you determine your starting level and set a clear path for your future progress. You’ll have a better understanding of the proficiency levels for learning French as a foreign language if you consult our guide based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
👉 At the Groupement FLE’s two centers in Strasbourg, you can prepare for the TCF, DELF, and DALF exams. Stralang is a TCF test center.
Stralang offers a preparatory program for studying in France in the form of 4-week intensive sessions. The CIEL in Strasbourg is authorized to administer the University Diploma in Preparation for Studies in France (DUT), for which students can prepare at the school over the course of one or two semesters.
👉 There are two ways to get to Strasbourg:
- By train, the Strasbourg-Ville TGV station—described as a five-pointed rail hub, one branch of which crosses the border—is the third-busiest regional station in France and places Strasbourg just one hour and fifty minutes from Paris by TGV.
- by plane, via Strasbourg-Entzheim International Airport, Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Airport (1 hour and 30 minutes from Strasbourg), or Karlsruhe-Baden-Baden Airport (1 hour from Strasbourg).
👉 If you are from a European Union member country, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Iceland, you do not need a visa. For all other nationalities, a visa application must be submitted to the French consular authorities. See the special section on this topic
