Bon Voyage !

Your Journey to French Language and Culture Starts Here!  

Get ready for a true Bon Voyage with Speak!’s France for Travelers Course!

Experience the romance, artfulness, and style of France with our French Essentials for Travelers series, taught by experienced native French instructors in engaging, live lessons. All course options equip you with the language and cultural insights to navigate France with confidence and ease. Learning a bit of French before you travel helps you connect with locals, avoid common missteps, and show appreciation for French customs..

Why Learn French ?

French isn't just the language of France; it's a gateway to one of the world's most cherished cultures. Spoken not only in France but also in Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, and many parts of Africa, learning French opens the door to a rich world of art, literature, history, and gastronomy. It also allows you to extend your travel experience by immersing yourself in the sounds and rhythms of the language before you even set foot in France!

Start Your French Adventure Today

Immerse yourself in the beauty and elegance of France and learn how to connect with locals with our Bon Voyage: French Essentials for Travelers series. Whether you're savoring a café crème et croissant in a charming Parisian café, greeting your host at a cozy chambre d’hôte in Provence, or admiring the breathtaking artistry of Monet at the Musée d’Orsay, let French be your key to unlocking the wonders of France and forging meaningful connections with the people you meet along the way. C’est parti !

“People don't take trips. Trips take people”

 JOHN STEINBECK

Our Bon Voyage Course Options

 On ne fait pas un voyage. Le voyage nous fait et nous défait. 
-David Le Breton. 
How It Works

Your Online Learning
Journey Made Easy

Planning travel is challenging enough, so we try to make it easy for you! 

We offer group, individual, 2-person (semi-private) and custom course options. Opt for individual lessons for a personalized experience, bring your travel partners to learn together, or join one of our scheduled Speak! group classes to meet and connect with other travelers. No matter the class size, you're guaranteed to Immerse yourself in Italy’s rich  history, vibrant traditions, and exquisite cuisine while creating meaningful connections and unforgettable memories wherever your journey takes you.

Choose Your Course

Select a group, semi-private or individual option from the options below. Not sure which is the best for you? Reach out to us to schedule a consultation. 

Sign up + pay

Fill out our info form on the selected course checkout page and submit your payment for the course selected.

Learn and Engage

Once we receive your registration, we'll send you an email to acknowledge, answer any questions and get you enrolled in the online course academy. There, you'll be able to chat with other students and review our intro unit before starting with your first live Zoom class. 

Got a question? 

Our Courses

Private Groups
Open Groups
Semi-private
Individual
On-Demand
Just the Basics for Travel 

Bon Voyage PETIT

Instructor-Led Course     5 hours 
UPCOMING GROUP CLASSES
Class time (EST)
Days
Course dates
  • 12-1pm ET
Mon-thru-Fri
April 14-18 , 2025
  • Noon-1pm ET
Mon-Friday
April 21-25 , 2025
$ 125    $150
Our Foundational Course for Travelers 

Bon Voyage MOYENNE

Instructor-Led Course      10 hours
Our foundational course for travelers !
UPCOMING GROUP CLASSES
Class time (EST)
Days
Course dates
  •  12–1 pm ET
Mon-thru-Friday
June 17 – June 28
  • 10-11:15am ET
Tuesdays & Thursdays
June 4 – June 27
$ 250    $275
Custom Group Courses

Bon Voyage GRAND

Instructor-Led Course     15 hours
Traveling with a group of friends, colleagues or family members? Contact us to inquire about our custom group courses for travelers. 
  • Tailored to your group and travel plans
  • Suit your schedule, goals and level
  • Customized curriculum
  • Learn at your group's pace 
  • Personalized support
  • Fun bonding experience 
  • Start your vacation while still at home! 
For 2 people

Semi Private PETIT

Live learning      5 hours
  • Essentials mini-course
  • Tailored to your trip
  • Suit your schedule, goals and level
  • Live instruction with a talented Speak! teacher
  • Personalized support  
$ 325 (for 2)
For 2 people

Semi Private MOYENNE

Live learning      8 hours
  • Essentials course tailored to your trip
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Suit your schedule, goals and level
  • Live instruction with a talented Speak! teacher
  • Personalized support
$ 525 (for 2)
For 2 people

Semi Private GRAND

Live learning      12 hours
  • Tailored to your trip
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Suit your schedule, goals and level
  • Live instruction with a talented Speak! teacher
  • Personalized support
  • Learn more of the language
$ 795 (for 2)
Fully Customizable

Individual PETIT

Live learning      5 hours
  • Tailored to your trip
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Suit your schedule, goals and leve
  • Live instruction with a talented Speak! teacher
Fully Customizable

Individual MOYENNE

Live learning      8 hours
  • Tailored to your trip and learning style
  • Progress at your own pace
  • Suit your schedule, goals and level
  • Live instruction with a talented Speak! teacher
  • Build a strong foundation in Italian
Fully Customizable

Individual GRAND

Live learning      12+ hours
  • Tailored to your level and learning style
  • Progress at your own pace 
  • Interact with others on our platform
  • Customized curriculum
  • Live instruction with a talented Speak! teacher
For 3-10 people

Bon Voyage Private PETIT

Instructor-Led Course     5 hours 
SHORT COURSE, BIG IMPACT!
 Rate
$95/hr
Ideal for Families + Groups Seeking a Fun, quick prep-course: 
  • Customized to your group + Itinerary
  • Learn Greetings, Pronunciation, Culture do's and don'ts
  • Access to our online academy with tons of content! 
  • Personalized travel advice 
For 3-10 people

Bon Voyage Private MOYENNE

Instructor-Led Course      8 hours
LONGER COURSE, BIGGER IMPACT!
 Rate
$95/hr
Ideal for Trips Departing in 4+ Months and for Groups Eager to Learn More About the Language and Culture 
  • Customized to your group + Itinerary
  • Learn Greetings, Pronunciation, Conversatoin Basics, Culture do's and don'ts
  • Access to our online academy with tons of content! 
  • Personalized travel advice TBD
  • Lots of speaking practice ! 
For 3-10 people

Bon Voyage Private GRAND

Instructor-Led Course     10 hours
FOR LANGUAGE LOVERS 
Rate
$95/hr
Ideal for Groups Who Want to Complete our Longer Curriculum and Build a Foundation for Travel + Life! Ideal for trips departing in 6+Months. 
  • Customized to your group + Itinerary
  • Learn Greetings, Pronunciation, Conversatoin Basics, Culture do's and don'ts
  • Learn basic verbs and how to ask and answer questions, talk about yourself and others
  • Access to our online academy with tons of content! 
  • Personalized travel advice 
  • Lots of speaking practice !  
  • Tailored to your interests and destination
Fully Customizable

On-Demand PETIT

On-demand course with no live lessons
  • Tailored to your trip
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Suit your schedule, goals and level
$ 49  

Not sure which course to choose? Compare the options below

Key Phrases and Practical Vocabulary 

From bonjour to au revoir, you'll learn the essentials of French for travel, including greetings, useful expressions, and key phrases for navigating France with confidence. Master introductions, asking for directions, shopping, dining, and more. Expand your vocabulary with words and phrases related to transportation, accommodation, food, and sightseeing to make your journey smoother and more enjoyable.

Live Instruction.
Human Connection

All Bon Voyage courses are taught with actual human teachers, experts in the language, culture and travel experience of Italy. Connect with other travelers in our group courses and in our discussion board, where you can ask questions and share travel tips and get expert advice from our French team and travel partners. 

Cultural Insights

Discover insights into French culture, customs, and traditions to deepen your understanding and connection with the country and its people. 

Interactive Activities

Engage with interactive exercises, videos, fun quizzes, and real-life scenarios to reinforce your learning and build confidence in using French in practical situations with your teacher and learning partners. 

What's Included:

French  Essentials for Travelers

Our French Essentials for Travelers series equips you with essential language skills and cultural knowledge to navigate France with confidence and ease. From ordering your favorite bistro meal to conversing with locals, understanding more about the French language and culture will enrich every aspect of your journey.

New Students: Buy any online French course and save 10% !

COUPON CODE  WELCOME10

Meet Your Course Creator + Instructor

Liz Groff, Ph.D 

Your Fun & Friendly French Guide! ✈️
Liz Groff is a passionate French instructor helping travelers embark on their Bon Voyage adventure. With over 15 years of teaching experience in the U.S. and France, she’s helped countless students feel confident ordering croissants, navigating the métro, and connecting with locals. Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, Liz now lives in Paris with her French husband and two sons. She holds a PhD in French literature and cinema from UVA and makes language learning fun, interactive, and practical. Beyond teaching, Liz has directed international film festivals, traveled extensively, and worked with students worldwide. She knows the magic that happens when language and travel come together—and she’s here to help you experience it firsthand!

Philippe Pansiot, M.A. 

Your Other Fun & Friendly French Guide! ✈️
Philippe is a Paris-born French instructor with a passion for language, literature, and culture. He holds a Master’s in French and Francophone Studies from The Sorbonne and has taught at universities like Virginia Tech, VMI, and FAU, as well as public high schools. A specialist in Marguerite Duras, Philippe is an avid writer and digital artist, blending photography and Photoshop to create unique works. He also has a love for rock ‘n’ roll, philosophy, and table tennis—sometimes all at once! After nearly seven years in the U.S., including a time teaching at Speak! in Charlottesville, Philippe now lives in Paris with his wife, Liz, and their two sons. He’s excited to help learners bring French to life, whether for travel, culture, or everyday conversation.
What our Student-Travelers Say: 

Travel Snapshots: In Their Own Words

Susanne Drescher

Buen Viaje (South America)
     
Having a foundation in Spanish gave me the confidence to connect with locals. At an estancia on horseback, I practiced with my hosts and picked up new words. People really appreciated the effort—whether I was at a café, a produce stand, or in an Uber. Speaking even just a little of the local language made the whole experience more meaningful.
Franco is a fantastic teacher. His deep understanding of both Spanish and English grammar really stood out, and he customized our lessons to help me prepare for my trip to Uruguay.

Ann Marie de Almeida

Buon Viaggio (Italy)
     
I'm heading to Italy for a month and took a few private lessons with Christina through the Buon Viaggio course, part of the Travel Series at Speak!—and it was amazing. I expected to learn some travel phrases, but ended up getting a full crash course in Italian language and culture. Christina customized everything to my trip, from cities and transportation to food and local tips.
She even showed me pictures of train stations and real menus, which was super helpful. The Speak! site is full of videos, recordings, and great practice tools. I highly recommend it—it’s not just a class, it’s a full travel prep experience!

Julie Boyer

Buen Viaje/Spanish Pasaporte (Argentina)
     
The Group classes have been so much fun ! Learning Argentinian Spanish and all about the culture has definitely enhanced my experience in Buenos Aires. I highly recommend Speak! to anyone wanting learn Spanish for general communication and/or travel.

Mark Cave

Bon Voyage (France)
     
Speak Language Center's Bon Voyage course was trés magnifique! If you're looking for a pre-travel orientation, this course hits all the right notes: destinations, rituals, customs, etymology, history, language, and an all-important introduction to the French café and restaurant. Expertly taught and thoughtfully conceived, Bon Voyage will be a key component in your travel toolkit. A++ recommendation.

Love traveling? Meet our partners for unforgettable journeys!

Sicily specialist

Agave Travel Creative 

Agave Travel Creative curates immersive Sicilian experiences, blending luxury with authentic connections. Led by Marcello Baglioni and Matteo Rota, their expert team crafts seamless itineraries rooted in deep local knowledge. Recognized by Condé Nast and Wendy Perrin, they showcase Sicily through culture, cuisine, and adventure.
Countries: Italy
Eat Curious

Culinary Backstreets Food Tours

Since 2009, Culinary Backstreets has celebrated hidden culinary gems worldwide through tours, storytelling, and Eatineraries. From its roots as an Istanbul food blog, it’s grown into a global platform honoring local food traditions and artisans in cities like Athens, Barcelona, and Tokyo.
Countries: Spain, Japan
Travel With All Five Senses

Five Senses Journeys

Founded by Rochelle DeBaun in 2021, Five Senses Journeys crafts bespoke luxury travel with a personal touch. With 26 years of expertise, Rochelle curates immersive experiences, blending hospitality, cuisine, and adventure to create unforgettable journeys.
Countries: worldwide
FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Do these courses involve live instruction or are they recorded/asynchronous?

All of our courses center around live lessons with a Speak! Teacher. The hours listed with each course type refer to the hours of live instruction (5, 8, 10, 12) with a dynamic language+culture instructor. We believe that meaningful learning happens when humans speak with humans. We also know that travelers and students new to a language have lots of questions!!

Do your travel courses include homework?

Yes! Our platform includes fun cultural and language activities that you can do in-between your live lessons to reinforce what you’re learning and give you a chance to get personalized feedback from your teacher as you go. Our online academy also includes a discussion board so that you can ask questions and share your own travel tips with the community.

Can I learn with my travel partner or travel group?

Yes! You and your travel partners can either join a scheduled Speak! Group course or sign up for a semi-private (2 people) or custom group course (up to 8). If you take a semi-private or custom group class, we can adapt to your pace as well as your specific itinerary.

What’s the difference between the short (5 hr) vs. longer (8-12 hr) courses?

The 5 hour mini courses are ideal for those who just want to learn greetings, pronunciation and ask some travel-related questions. Additionally, the 5 hour course includes some of our self-study materials and travel tips. We recommend the 8+ hour course to most everyone as it includes more of the language and gives you a chance to practice!

Will I have the opportunity to continue learning the language after this course is over?

Yes! We would be delighted to continue teaching you if you wish to learn more of the language than is offered in this travel course. You can simply register for a package of 10 or more hours of individual lessons, or semi-private if you have a learning buddy.