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ONLINE CLASSES ​ French instructor for many years, I have taught adults and students from high school and universities - from complete beginners to nearly bilingual. You can access native French instruction from wherever you are – America, Europe or Asia. ​ More recently, I have started using a different approach based on a combination of phone and computer. This allows me to collaborate in real time with students, who are increasingly accustomed to learning online. ​ Visio from your phone (FaceTime, Messenger or Whatsapp) allows students to see facial expressions and to focus on pronunciation while we work on a shared document.) The lessons become your course documentation; the material we view during our sessions is shared live via GoogleDocs. This allows you to read along as you take in your new interesting vocabulary. This doubles as "subtitles” in French. ​ You can then also use these visual learning aids to study on your own. You may be assigned verb conjugation tables and various grammar exercises or a short essay as "homework" until your next lesson. ​ ​

A TYPICAL WEEK ​ ​ You will arrive on Sunday afternoon after 5 p.m. I'll pick you up at the Toulon train station. After you get settled in, we will have dinner together. If you arrive by car, you can park on site. ​ On Monday, morning we will assess your oral level and define the schedule for the week with you - choice of activities / excursions and grammar points to work on. ​ According to your preferences, you will take between 0 to 15 hours of formal lessons during the week and pick and choose your practical or fun and cultural activities from a list. Day outings can be switched to hald-day outings to allow more time for formal classes. All days start with breakfast between 8 and 9am, followed by classes or activities. We will then fix lunch together in French. In your free time, you are welcome to lounge by the pool, borrow a bike or (dramatic pause....) do French homework! ​ On Saturday morning, I'll take you to the Toulon train station after breakfast. ​

Why BERNICE? ​ During our many years in California, in the San Francisco Bay Area, my American friends often got the wrong name and called me Bernice instead of Beatrice. They likely combined my husband BERNard and me BeatrICE in a single first name! ​ We found this wonderful property by chance during a family holiday and decided to buy it to allow our four children, scattered between Europe and North America to have a place to meet. Bernice is made up of 4 units, three of which we rent regularly during the summer: San Francisco - bungalow for two - available sept 1st through May 31st. Malibu - bungalow for two - generally available June 1st to August 31st. San Diego - Apartment for 4 - available June 1st to August 31st. This is a serene location, ideally located to discover the magnificent coast from Toulon to Saint Tropez (Le Pradet, Giens, Hyères, Porquerolles). The swimming pool is shared with the owners and 2 other guests. The coastal cycle path goes from Hyeres to Toulon, in a rural setting and totally protected from car traffic. Each bungalow / apartment has its own private outdoor space, barbecue and one parking spot. OUR OFFER French classes : remote or French immersion Discovery of an authentic part of Provence Vacation rentals with pool and beach nearby ACCESS Very easy by: Plane (Toulon - Hyères airport 20 minutes away) Train (Toulon station 20 minutes away by direct bus) Bus 19 and 29 (Ginouse Stop - 4 minutes walking distance) bus 39 (Pont de Suve Stop then 7 minutes) Car : Exit 2 Le Pradet from Toulon ​ Please Note ​ No wheelchair access Not recommended for young children (cactus and unsupervised pool) Sorry no dogs. Smoking OK - outside, in your private garden ​

NEARBY ​ Mont Faron _ Memorial of the landing of Provence – access Cable car, la fauverie Toulon Museums ( Marine / History / Arts ) Le Revest les Eaux (old village) and Mont Coudon (panoramic view) Breakfast on the Port, visit of the old center of Toulon, the market Visit of the Rade de Toulon by boat (paying) Visit of St Mandrier – access by boat-bus Mining Museum in Le Pradet Old village of La Garde and its tower Footpath from Chapelle Ste Agathe to Anse Méjean beach Support the RCT at Stade Mayol Attend a show at the Toulon Opera THE BEACHES ​ Anse Magaud – Anse Mejean, San Peyre Mourillon Hyeres: L'Almanarre / La Bergerie

IMMERSION ​ ​ If you have landed on this page, it is because you are convinced of the benefits of an immersion stay for improving your level of French fluency. Speaking French is not an objective in and of itself, but rather a way to discover the country, the culture, the inhabitants…and above all to do in French what you already like to do. ​ This is why I offer you a program intended for intermediate and advanced levels. If you are a beginner, contact me to discuss your situation and your goals. I live with my husband (and cat) and will therefore be available during the week to meet your needs. ​ Before your stay, we will get together to evaluate your level in order to define our program for the week. ​ A TYPICAL WEEK ON-SITE ACTIVITIES PRICES LITTLE EXTRAS ​ ​ Independent accommodation Fully stocked kitchen to prepare your dinners Linens provided Access to washing machine (once a week) Free Wifi and telephone Access to swimming pool and barbecue Bike available ​ SAN DIEGO

SAN FRANCISCO ​ This bungalow has the most accomplished decoration. That’s because we spent years in the San Francisco Bay Area! To get to our San Francisco, you’ll have to walk north, too: Cross a grove, walk past the swimming pool, past a row of grapevines (not quite a vineyard) before arriving at your bungalow - a rose colored chalet nestled in the corner of the property. The living room has a table and two chairs for at-home meals, a coffee table and three armchairs as well as a sideboard. The kitchen is equipped with a fridge, two burner induction hotplates and a microwave / grill combi oven. It also includes: coffee maker, toaster and an electric kettle. The bedroom has a comfortable 140x190 bed, a desk with a chair and a clothes rack for hanging clothes and stashing shoes. A television is at your disposal. The internet connection is of very good quality thanks to a "Google mesh pod". The bungalow's large, bright bathroom with a shower overlooks the garden. BOOKING

SAN DIEGO San Diego is an upstairs apartment that guests enter from a private access at the rear of the main house. It offers a lovely view of the garden and the swimming pool. This 3-room apartment is approximately 60 m2 and can comfortably accommodate four people Bedding: One bedroom with a King Size bed 160 x200, One bedroom with two single beds (90x190) Living room with sofa. The kitchen is fully equipped (refrigerator, 4-burner induction stove, dishwasher, microwave with grill function, extractor, toaster, coffee maker) The table seats six people. Vacuum cleaner. Two closets. One bathroom with sink, shower and WC. Hair dryer. Private garden with built-in stone barbecue, cozy table and a separate lounge area with garden furniture. The unit has its own laundry room with a (washing machine and a drying rack Like Toulon, the city of San Diego is a Navy town. Unlike San Diego, you’re not a stone’s throw from Tijuana, but you can surely fix yourself a margarita and plop down in the garden! BOOKING

The perfect place for an immersive experience! Diana V. - May 2022 - San Mateo CA - USA I have been taking one on one classes with Beatrice, and she has helped me immensely in my comprehension, understanding, grammar and all things French language. She is incredibly patient and our classes are always interesting and funny. I started as a relative novice and have been steadily improving under her guidance. Recently I had the opportunity to visit her for a few days and I can say it is the perfect setting for.a full French immersion opportunity and experiencing all that French culture has to offer. From cuisine, beaches, restaurants, petit dejeuner by the shore, the market, bicycle rides, it is the perfect opportunity to experience France in a relaxed setting. I would love to go back soon! Thank you Beatrice! A tailor-made immersion! Jim & Robin F. - July 2023 - USA Béatrice is energetic, kind, and a great French teacher. She tailored our lessons to my interests and expected social settings. She also opened doors to French history, social customs, and culture. She loves great food and bad (i.e. good) jokes. My wife accompanied me in a non-student role, and Béatrice graciously made her feel welcomed and included in our meals and outings. Béatrice's property, Bernice, is beautiful and quiet, and our cabin was clean, comfortable, and air-conditioned. Tout était super ! A private tour guide and spectacular excursions Laura B. - Juin 2023 - USA - TX Beatrice is a wonderful, talented teacher who was intent on providing me the exact learning/exploring program that I desired while staying at her lovely home near Toulon. Once in Toulon, I chose to have “real conversations” while “doing” rather than sitting in her kitchen with French grammar and conversation books. On our outings, Beatrice patiently answered any questions and helped me when I stumbled or was “searching” for the correct words. While overseeing my conversations, we went to the bakery, grocery and “bar” where I bought a book of bus tickets. We conversed on the road on spectacular excursions to the Ile de Porquerolles and then to quaint Collobrieres, the Chartreuse de la Vernes monastery, and Bormes-les-Mimosa. All with my own personal tour guide/driver/teacher/fun companion. Shorter outings included swimming in the Mediterranean at a nearby rocky calanque and visiting the lively market at Sanary-sur-Mer. I also had free time to explore Toulon and environs on my own. In summary, if you want to experience French culture while living like a local, exploring the beautiful Toulon/Hyeres area, and at the same time improving your French, just hope that Beatrice has an opening. I'm not afraid to speak French anymore! Olga & Vlad U. - June 2023 - Boston MA - USA Beatrice is warm, welcoming, and very resourceful! My husband and I spent a truly wonderful immersion week at Bernice. We were amazed by the beauty of Toulon, surrounding villages, and inlets. There is a safe biking trail near the house that takes you right to Toulon. I learned French while kayaking, biking, and running errands with Beatrice, which turned out the best way to fight my fear to speak French. If you want to bring your English speaking partner along, have no fear. There are many museums in the area that provide English sub-titles and guides. Musée de la Gendarmerie et du Cinéma in St-Tropez and Musée-Mémorial National du Débarquement en Provence in Toulon to name the few. Beatrice is truly flexible and bilingual: even though my husband does not speak French, he appreciated her recommendations, humor, directions, and parking tips. Meanwhile I was impressed by her targeted approach to my lessons: we worked on idioms and my most challenging grammar areas, so I came back with a much better idea how to improve my skills. I highly recommend this format of vacation! A very pleasant week Kathy R. - Sept 2023 - Adelaide - Australia I experienced a lovely week with Béatrice in her home near Toulon. She was welcoming and kind as well as being happy at all times to help me learn French. She has a great store of stories to tell and is very knowledgeable across a wide range of topics. Thank you Béatrice! Beatrice went "above and beyond." Tina & Gary L. - Sept 2023 - Ventura CA - USA We were looking for an immersive experience on la Cote d'Azur, and found so much more during our week at "Bernice". Beatrice went "above and beyond" to insure our visit was everything we'd hoped for and more. We felt at home in our comfortable bungalow and in their kitchen where we enjoyed breakfast, lunch ,and meal preparation after shopping at indoor & outdoor markets. We had a few formal French classes, but opted for language learning in the practical setting. She showed us beautiful beaches and sights we would not have known to explore without her guidance. Also, recommended delicious restaurants for dinner. She is adventurous and energetic with a great sense of humour. Her husband Bernard was also very hospitable and supportive. We highly recommend "Bernice" and look forward to returning . I no longer felt like a tourist Beth T. - August 2023 - WA - USA "My time with Beatrice in Toulon was delightful. She was warm, friendly, and easy to get along with. My favorite part of being with Beatrice for the week was how immersive she helped me become in the culture and language. I no longer felt like a tourist - I went to church, I went to the market, I ate dinner with friends ... all the while working and practicing my French. This was exactly the experience I hoped for - one where I was able to talk with French people casually. Beatrice helped me get connected, chat, and interact even when I was nervous. My only regret is not spending more time with her! I learned more French in my five days with Beatrice than I did in the 6 weeks I spent in France on my own. Thank you Beatrice!"

Business French ​ ​ If you are a business professional, an exhibitor at a Trade Show or a University student, we can: Work on your written documents (summary notes, emails, Powerpoint) Study the vocabulary / expressions of your sector of activity Read articles related to your industry Practice your oral presentations on video or in person As a graduate of the School of Management of Lyon (EM Lyon), I have a long experience as a trainer for adults (organization and time management). I am also a member of Toastmasters International - An organization whose main purpose is to improve public speaking skills. ​ ​

THEMATIC DISCUSSIONS / LESSONS ​ ​ If you want to get out of grammar and basic French for tourists, we can go much deeper in the knowledge of French culture. The list of topics below is purely indicative and not exhaustive. ​ Prepare your trip to France How to become a French citizen / Obtain your residence permit Regions of France / tourism Wines / Cheeses / Traditional cuisine History of France (First / Second World War) French literature / poetry Word and witty games (puns, counter-puns, jokes, etc.) Discover the French Press – From “Canard Enchaine” to “l'Humanité” Comics aren't just for kids - cult series Idiomatic expressions The Health system in France The school system in France Manage your time and your mailbox in French Personal organization The bourgeoisie in France – Understanding the codes …. ​ Add a Title Add a Title Add a Title Add a Title Add a Title Add a Title Add a Title Add a Title Add a Title Add a Title Add a Title Add a Title Add a Title

​ ​ Excellent stay in a magical place ​ 5/5 Marion Q. - May 2021 - USA ​ Very nice bungalow, well organized and clean. It totally justifies its name as the decor is San Francisco themed. Comfortable bed (but hardly a queen size). Beautiful garden and swimming pool, you feel like you are in an oasis of greenery. Very fast Wi-Fi, perfect for identifying the many visits in the surroundings. The coves of Magaud and Mejean offer incredible views and are accessible by a less than 30 minute walk. Thanks to the bike path, we were able to ride to the port of Toulon and enjoy an amazing breakfast! Very warm welcome from our hosts Beatrice and Bernard. We are already planning to return next year! ​ ​ Warm and relaxing atmosphere ​ 5/5 Odile and Renaud L. - June 2021 - France ​ We greatly appreciated these few days spent in peace, in a warm atmosphere conducive to relaxation. Located in lush greenery, near the swimming pool, the "Malibu" bungalow is cozy, clean and well equipped. The bedding is of high quality. Our hosts, hospitable and attentive, have largely contributed to making our stay very pleasant, smiles and availability rubbing shoulders daily in a family atmosphere. Many thanks to them! We will certainly recommend "Bernice" to all our friends planning a trip to Toulon to discover its shores and the Var region. We will come back with pleasure! ​ Enchanting stay in Bernice ​ 5/5 Katherine C. - July 2021 - USA ​ Bernice is very well located for exploring the coast. Of course, we had to take a ride to the seaside and we were offered to use bicycles to get there. Our studio was called Malibu and deserved its name because of the decoration. Two other signs indicated San Diego and San Francisco at the exit of the grove of bamboos. We took advantage of the cicadas concert during the day but you have to bring mosquito repellent! The property is charming and the hostess Beatrice is as warm as she is funny. She will provide you with information on request for walks or local restaurants. It was our first visit to Toulon and we got a good idea of all the town has to offer, including a breakfast on the harbor and a tour of the Provencal market. Our visit to Bernice was a delight ​ ​ A perfect slice of Provence ​ 5/5 Micki C. & Mike V. - August 2022- USA ​ Our stay at the Malibu cottage was the perfect slice of Provence and France's Mediterranean Coast. Quiet, cozy and comfortable with all the amenities we could need. But the real stars of Malibu are the English-speaking hosts Beatrice and Bernard Carrot who are a treasure trove of resources for sightseeing, restaurants, bike paths and museums. Did you know that the Allies made a World War II landing in Provence shortly after D-Day in Normandy? Don't miss the mountaintop museum — or the views! ​