Activities

Activities are an excellent complement to your language training!Choose your activities and personalise your stay.

Each week, iLP offers a programme of activities and excursions.
Activities are supervised by teachers or experienced guides who share their knowledge and love of the region with you. In July and August, with the “Summer Programme” and “14-15 Junior Programme”, you will benefit from the full programme of activities. You will practice the French language with the guide and with the other students – the best way to combine learning and fun.

Pont du gard

Excursions


Go and discover the Occitanie region, located between the sea and the mountains

Aigues Mortes
Tour the fortifications and the salt marshes by bus; visit the 13th century fortified city built for the kingdom by St Louis; a Mediterranean port; visit the Tower of Constance, an ancient lighthouse from the time of the crusades, then a dungeon; see the panoramic view over the Camargue, walk along 13th century battlements; sample biscuits and chocolates. The excursion ends at the beach where you can swim.

Arles
Discover the capital of the Camargue. Arles is a UNESCO world heritage site with Roman and Romanesque monuments unique in France. This city has influenced many artists, including famous painter Van Gogh.
Visit Roman monuments: the arenas, the ancient theatre, the thermal baths, the forum, the St Trophîme cathedral, and walk through the gardens of Van Gogh and Provencal market.

Avignon
Discover the Popes’ city: Pont Saint Bénezet, famous for its song, visit the Cathedral of Our Lady of Doms, walk around the Popes’ Palace (the largest gothic palace in France), see the panoramic view over Avignon and the Rhône.

Carcassonne
Visit the famous ancient city, registered as a UNESCO world heritage site. Walk through the medieval city, visit the battlements and the Château Comtal, with a film about the restoration by Viollet-le-Duc.

Canyon du Diable et Lac du Salagou
45 minutes from Montpellier, discover the Devil’s Canyon, a small local Colorado of red earth in impressive forms. Disorientation guaranteed!
Swimming in the Lake of Salagou is possible.

Cirque de Mourèze
1 hour from Montpellier, walk through a sea of rocks of incredible shapes sculpted by time, with a view over the whole region, discovering flora and fauna.

Nîmes
Discover the ancient Roman town, a major point on the Roman road “Via Domitia”; the gardens of Fontain, the Maison Carrée, the cathedral and the arenas. Nîmes has a rich heritage, notable for art and history.

Marseille
Visit the capital of Provence, with a panoramic view over Marseille and its calanques from the Notre Dame de la Garde basilica. Walk through the quarter of the ancient port and the historic centre.
Walk to the St Jean fort and visit the museum of the ancient Roman docks.

Pézenas
1 hour from Montpellier, visit the ancient capital of Languedoc, the city which inspired Molière. Walk through the medieval alleys and visit the church of St Jean.
Upon request, it is possible to visit the berlingot confectionary factory and the Molière museum.

Pic St Loup / Plateau du Thaurac/ Ravin des Arcs
30 minutes from Montpellier, take a 2 hour 30 minute walk in the city residents’ favourite mountains, with a panoramic view of the whole region, discovering the flora and fauna.

Pont du Gard
Visit the famous Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard, a UNESCO world heritage site. 2000 years old, it is 250 metres long and 50 metres high. It spans the Gardon river. This aqueduct was 50km long in total, and transported water from Uzès to Nîmes.
It is possible to swim in the river.

Saint Guilhem le Désert et grotte de Clamouse
Typical village of Languedoc on the pilgrimage route from Santiago de Compostela (UNESCO world heritage site). Discover the magnificent abbey and its Romanesque cloister (with relics of St Guilhem and the cross of Jesus). Walk along the pilgrimage route and over the devil’s bridge, the oldest Romanesque bridge in France.
Visit the Clamousse cave, a true Ali Baba’s cave with the largest diversity of crystals in France, with sumptuous lighting and an original, magical appearance.

Saintes Maries de la Mer
Discover the Camargue and Saintes Maries de la Mer. Visit the fortified Romanesque church, a pilgrimage place on the route of Santiago de Compostela (relics of Marie Jacobé, Marie Salomé and St Sara, patron saint of Gypsies).
It is possible to swim in the sea.

Sète – Frontignan
Walk on the peninsula named the “Venice of Languedoc”. From the peak of Mont St Clair there is a panoramic view over the town and the coast. Visit to the church, the cemetery of Paul Valéry, walk through the port and sampling of Muscat offered.
Discover Brassens, the country’s famous singer.

Viaduc de Millau, caves de Roquefort et gorges du Tarn
Discover a spectacular landscape and walk under the Millau Viaduct, the highest viaduct in Europe.
Lunch in Millau and walk through the Gorges du Tarn.
Visit the cellars of the king of cheeses, Roquefort, and sample it.

Barcelone
2 day excursion. Visit the historic centre of the city: alleyways, the cathedral and its cloister, Las Ramblas, Plaça de Cataluña, magic fountain, Plaça d’Espanya. Then, the Château de Montjuic, with a panoramic view over the town and the Camp Nou stadium. Stop in front of the Sagrada Familia basilica and the famous Parc Guëll by architect Gaudí.
Night and breakfast at a youth hostel.

Visits


Visit the numerous cultural locations of the city of Montpellier and its surroundings

Montpellier

Visit the historic centre of Montpellier and its modern districts:

  • Mansions of the 17th and 18th centuries
  • Faculty of medicine
  • Hôtel de Ville created by Jean Nouvel and François Fontès
  • L’Agora
  • Opéra Comédie
  • Saint-Pierre Cathedral
  • Les Luthiers
  • Antigone
  • Port Marianne
  • Exclusively, the famous Mikvé (Jewish ritual baths of the 12th century)

Museums

Visit the different museums of Montpellier:

  • Musée Fabre: Fine Art, collections of 15th to 21st century paintings, sculptures (Véronèse, Ingres, Delacroix, Rubens, Bazille and Soulages)
  • Hôtel de Cabrières Sabatier d’Espeyran: decorative arts
  • Musée Atger: collection of drawings
  • Musée Languedocien: art, history and archaeology
  • Musée du Fougau: folk art and traditions of historic Montpellier

Montpellier extravagance

  • Château de Flaugergues: paintings, tapestries and sampling of wines
  • Hôtel Haguenot, Hôtel de Guidais, Château de l’Engarran, Château de la Mogère: extravagances of 18th century Montpellier
Découverte des produits régionaux

Discover regional activities and products


Discover traditions and sample the specialities of the south of France

Sampling of wines and cheeses

Enjoyable, educational event about two vital elements of French gastronomy, where participants will learn about the origins, production procedures and different ways of sampling: 3 glasses of different wines of the region (white, rosé, red), 3 French cheeses (cow, goat and sheep).

Sampling of regional products

Gastronomic Tour de France to discover sweet and savoury specialities of France: tapenade, oysters, duck magret, canelés, oreillettes, fougasse, etc.

Cooking workshop

Learn French and discover cuisine with a Chef.
Sampling, certification and recipes at the end of the session.

Occitanie dances

Learn and practice the traditional dances of the Occitanie region, accompanied by a passionate musician and teacher.
Line, couple and circle dances.

Petanque

Learn and practice to oldest national sport: petanque.

French songs

Discover traditional French songs from the 70s to present day.

Themed evenings


Enjoy a themed dinner or evening in a typical place in the region

Themed dinner

Sample mussels or crêpes.

Evening picnic on the beach.

Themed evenings

Discover the traditions of the Camargue at a ranch: equestrian demonstration by riders and games in the arenas, old-fashioned branding, abrivados, bandidos, typical Camargue meals, and entertainment with singers and guitarists.
Enjoy an evening in a pub or in a concert venue.

Sports


Practice the sport of your choice and enjoy a setting between land and sea

If you are sporty, you are offered numerous possibilities: gyms, swimming, sailing, paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, canyoning, tennis, beach volleyball, golf, football, horse riding, hiking, via ferrata, petanque, etc.

If you like sports events, attend the International Festival of Extreme Sports, the Tour de France, the Open Sud de France, the Montpellier Marathon, the Beach Masters, the Battle of the Year, etc.

iLP advises and accompanies you in choosing and organising your activities.