Discover your inner
Frenchness.
French immersion weekends…
On your doorstep.
But… only 90 minutes from Adelaide !
In the historic village of Mintaro,
in the heart of the beautiful Clare Valley…
Watch our Programme Video!
Notre devise :
“Le plus important, c’est d’ ESSAYER !”
Yes ! Try to “Be French” for a weekend !
Pourquoi pas ?
No stress, no anxiety, no pressure…
Simply the exciting prospect of trying your very best… Bien sûr !
But most importantly … Enjoying spending an entire weekend…
Having fun… in French !
S’amuser … en français !
Le programme
Daily French workshops
The French workshops will take place in the magnificent hall of the Institute.
Friday Night
Welcome Dinner
and Soirée Cinéma.
The Muse Restaurant
and the Institute.
Saturday Lunch
Langage du Vin et Dégustation
avec Alexandra.
Reillys, Mintaro.
Saturday Afternoon
Game of
“Feral Pétanque”…
At the back of the Mews.
Saturday Night
Grande Soirée de Fête
et Quiz du Siècle !
At the Institute.
Sunday
Atelier Crêpes et Histoire de la Bretagne avec Stéphane.
At the Institute.
Notre équipe
Jean-Marc
Born in Paris where he lived for thirty years – as well as Montpellier and Toulouse – before migrating to Australia, Jean-Marc Spiler remains a true Parisian at heart but likes to call himself a Frozzie. He takes great pride in using his own experience as a learner of English in the way he approaches his teaching of French.
With a passion for languages and the development of communication skills, he first taught English as a Second Language, before specialising in his native language. Having taught at University, Adelaide Alliance Française, WEA, he currently runs small classes in Adelaide as well as online and … when he does not teach, he’s the singer in Les Flâneurs Volants, a successful Adelaide based French cover band.
Lynne
Lynne Spiler is an Adelaide girl, an ex-nurse, and the reason why Jean-Marc migrated to Australia. They lived in France for a while, where Lynne learnt to speak French the way the French do: “comme en famille”. She also developed an irrepressible love for traditional French cuisine “comme à la maison”, which she’ll put to good use for the Saturday night Grand Dîner.
Lynne has become quite famous amongst Jean-Marc’s students for her now legendary “erreurs”, grammatical and gender-based. She might even re-enact one of her best for you, just before the Saturday morning French workshop. The perfect warm-up!
Stéphane
“Monsieur Crêpes” is Jean-Marc’s brother and an ex-French Chef turned airline pilot. When he doesn’t fly, he hikes up and down mountains and.. makes crêpes! He created our Crêpe Making and Brittany’s History workshop for the inaugural Auburn Frenchfest, in 2021.
He will of course teach you how to make crêpes, but his engaging and fun talk about Brittany’s history will also delight you… With a selection of “musique bretonne” …
Et… En français, bien sûr !
Alexandra
Yes! For Petite France Immersion’s exclusive Wine Language and Tasting Workshop, you will be guided by Alexandra Wardlaw, your very own French Champagne-born wine expert. A locally acclaimed winemaker, Alexandra honed her craft with vintages spent in her native Champagne, Provence, and the Napa Valley. She now calls the Clare Valley home as this is where she met her husband, and they have a son named Oliver.
Katti
Katti est formidable ! She works with Stéphane during the Crêpe Making and Brittany History Workshop and is Lynne’s most trusted right hand during the preparations of our fabulous Saturday Night Grand Dîner / Quiz du Siècle. She’s even been know to take a photo or two…
Chez Reillys
La formidable équipe de Chez Reillys !
The wonderful crew at Reillys!
Where your exclusive Wine Language and Tasting Workshop will take place.
Led by Julie and Justin and Annette, their fabulous francophone extraordinaire Wine Ambassador.
How many participants?
12 maximum (8 minimum).
What people said… Ce qu’ont dit les gens…
“
C’était un merveilleux week-end ! I highly recommend the fabulous French immersion week-end hosted by the Petite France Team led by Jean-Marc Spiler. There was such a lovely variety of real-life activities – film night followed by discussions, pétanque, lovely dinners, crêpe making class – all enjoyed in lovely company. The whole week-end was really well planned and executed by charming hosts in the beautiful setting of Mintaro. Allez-y !”
Steven O. – November 2023
“
It was a wonderful weekend! Petite France weekend was a significant life experience giving an insight into French culture, French humour, French food and the French language. I was amazed by the energy and generosity of the organisers who made all of us feel comfortable experiencing the French way and the use of the language. Group activities extended our language knowledge, the food was superb, accommodation and the ambiance at Mintaro was wonderful.”
Cherry R. – March 2023
“
I loved my Petite France weekend. The French content was pitched to my level and there were lots of fun “French style” activities and opportunities to get to know the other participants.
Very inclusive and the setting in Mintaro is perfect. Jean-Marc is a talented teacher who makes everything relaxed and entertaining.
Un week-end très chic et super amusant.”
Suzi A. - October 2023
“
What an utterly splendid weekend! Jam-packed with fun activities and opportunities to flex that French-speaking muscle. The program was beautifully thought out and executed by Lynne and Jean-Marc. And my French language proficiency definitely went up a notch or two as a result. As les Français would say: For-mi-dable !!!.”
Lyndie B. November 2023
Et… Combien ça coûte ?
All single accommodation
(Sharing available in some rooms)
With Private Bathroom
$975
With Shared Bathroom
$925
All inclusive (except wine at Welcome Dinner)
Please note: Limited number of Rooms with Private Bathroom
$200 deposit with enrolment (non-refundable, except if w.e. is cancelled).
Wonderfully supported by
Petite France Immersion 