French language
French schools in Bordeaux: university, affordable, free and online courses
Admission calendar and documents needed, Bordeaux language schools, local classes and online learning, by goal.
Edited by EMA
Checked on: · Source : Official sources of the venues and organisations mentioned
Where to learn? Choose by goal
| Option | Goal | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| University French courses: DEFLE | Study for a semester or prepare for university studies. | Fees per semester; admission separate from a regular university degree. |
| Private schools | Short stay, intensive courses, conversation or exams. | Depends on weeks, hours and individual or group lessons. |
| Free or affordable local classes | Everyday conversation and neighbourhood exchange. | Check membership, eligible audience and places. |
| Online | Prepare before leaving or study from home. | Combine free self-study with paid lessons with a teacher. |
Université Bordeaux Montaigne: DEFLE
French courses for language stays are run by the DEFLE of Université Bordeaux Montaigne. This institution is separate from the Université de Bordeaux.
- Daytime courses: one or two semesters, 16 hours a week, levels A1 to C2. New students are asked to take an online placement test.
- Published fees for 2026–2027: €1,200 per semester or €2,400 per year, administrative fees announced as included. Check other fees, notably the CVEC.
- Announced conditions: be at least 18, hold the baccalauréat or a university degree, and come from a country where French is not an official or administrative language.
University calendar and deadlines
Start, orientation and formalities dates should be confirmed in the instructions received after admission. Pre-registration is not the final administrative enrolment.
| Desired period | Guide |
|---|---|
| Autumn, around September | The year runs from September to May. Check the application period for the start you want. |
| Winter, around January | The second semester runs from January to May. Pre-registration for 2026–2027 announced from 28 September to 30 November 2026. |
| From autumn 2027 | Check the next calendar; do not reuse last year’s dates. |
DEFLE daytime courses: documents and steps
- 1. Prepare a copy of your ID, for example your passport.
- 2. Prepare a copy of your baccalauréat or university degree and its French translation by a sworn translator.
- 3. Fill in the online pre-registration, send the documents and make the payment requested.
- 4. New students take the online placement test.
- 5. Follow the formalities set out by the university, notably the CVEC certificate if necessary, then complete the administrative enrolment. A certificate of enrolment is issued after registration.
- Visa and residence procedures are separate. The final list provided by the university prevails.
Entering a bachelor’s or master’s programme
Enrolling in DEFLE and applying for a bachelor’s (licence) or master’s are two different procedures. Check the programme you are aiming for at the Université de Bordeaux or Bordeaux Montaigne.
- Calendar, platform, French level and documents depend on the degree, nationality, residence and previous studies.
- Do not substitute DEFLE’s list for that of the programme you want: check the official conditions of the programme.
Four private schools to compare
A “lesson” does not necessarily last 60 minutes. Distinguish tuition, registration, materials and accommodation. Start dates and beginner-only dates vary by school.
| School | Courses and features | Registration and price |
|---|---|---|
| Alliance Française Bordeaux Nouvelle-Aquitaine | French all year round, intensive or regular courses, conversation and pronunciation workshops. | Choose period and level; check tuition and registration fees. |
| Newdeal Institut de Français, KLF | General, intensive, individual and evening courses and DELF/DALF preparation. | Ask for the official price according to weeks, hours and formula. |
| ComEnFrance — French school in Bordeaux | Small groups and stays combining language and culture. | Contact the school for dates, courses and places. |
| Les ateliers FL Bordeaux | General, intensive and individual courses and preparation for studies; 44 rue Fondaudège. | Quote depending on course and length. The information we checked announces 2027 prices from 1 November 2026. |
Affordable classes in Chartrons: Foyer Fraternel
The Foyer Fraternel social centre offers French classes in Chartrons, at 23 rue Gouffrand, 33300 Bordeaux.
- FLE for people schooled in another language, with a level assessment. Published hours: Tuesday and Thursday 2–4 pm.
- Admission possible from mid-September to the end of June depending on places.
- Membership of the centre and a free monthly contribution: this arrangement is not presented as entirely free. Check the current membership fee.
- Registration in person at the centre’s reception; an email request alone is not enough.
- Contact: [email protected] / 05 57 87 13 92.
Free classes: ASTI Bordeaux
- For adults aged 18 and over, priority to beginners and people who speak little French; aimed at daily life and social participation.
- Free classes; a voluntary contribution of €10 per year is announced.
- Two weekly sessions of 1 h 15, in a group suited to level, places and availability.
- Come to the registration sessions for an assessment. Admission depends on places.
- September 2026 registrations are closed. The next session is announced for January 2027, with no exact date; check the current announcement.
Online: self-study or lessons with a teacher
You can begin with daily videos and add guided lessons to practise conversation more.
| Service | Cost | Use |
|---|---|---|
| TV5MONDE — Apprendre le français | Free | A1–B2 videos and exercises for comprehension, vocabulary and grammar. |
| Les ateliers FL — FL Online | Paid, depending on the course | Online lessons with a teacher, before leaving or when travel is difficult. |
| RFI — Français facile | Free | RFI radio’s learning site: news and resources in easy French to practise listening and reading every day. |
| FUN MOOC — Vivre en France (A1 to B1) | Free (certificate sometimes paid) | Open online courses offered by French higher-education institutions, centred on everyday situations. Sessions open on specific dates: check them on the site. |
| NHK Gogaku (radio courses such as “Mainichi Français”) | Free (app) / textbook paid | Learn French with explanations in Japanese. The programmes are available in the app; check the courses offered and how long they stay online on the official site. |
| Institut français du Japon — online courses | Paid (depending on the course) | Group classes, private lessons and distance courses, with registration in Japanese. Private lessons are bought in 25-minute units (2026 programme). |
| Alliance Française Paris Île-de-France — virtual classroom | Paid (per period; check the price) | Live online lessons. Evening courses combine virtual classes and self-study. From age 18, with a level test. |
| Alliance Française Paris — exam preparation (self-paced) | Paid (check the current price) | DELF B1/B2, TEF and TCF preparation modules, to follow at your own pace. |
| Alliance Française Bordeaux — DFP preparation | Paid (individual or group course) | Preparation for the Diplôme de français professionnel (DFP), in person or online. |
- Official source — apprendre.tv5monde.com ↗
- Official source — sejour.fl-france.fr ↗
- RFI Français facile: free learning ↗
- FUN MOOC: Vivre en France (A1) ↗
- NHK Gogaku: language courses ↗
- Institut français du Japon: distance and online courses ↗
- Alliance Française Paris: online course catalogue ↗
- Alliance Française Bordeaux: DFP preparation ↗
Before you sign up
Information checked on 9 October 2026.
- State your level and goal: everyday life, DELF/DALF or university studies.
- Check registration, materials, exams and refunds as well as the lessons.
- Confirm beginner dates, deadlines, hours and the address.
- Deadlines, prices and places change: check the official links before committing.