LaPont partners with Château Lou Casteou to launch a prestigious 10-day luxury Riviera French Immersion Retreat – the first of its kind on the Côte d’Azur.
“Recently honoured best luxury retreat in France by Luxlife Magazine”
From 2026, guests will be able to commence their French language journey or perfect their French, whilst staying at the exquisite Chateau Lou Casteou, a luxury retreat, set amongst olive groves with breathtaking views across the picturesque Estérel mountains and the Bay of St Tropez.
The LaPont all-inclusive Riviera French Language and Cultural program promises an authentic immersive experience, while embracing the relaxed Riviera art de vivre, culture and gastronomy.
The stunning Chateau will offer interactive French workshops, together with a selection of curated a la carte activities: vineyards tours and wine tasting, chef-led visits to local food markets, yoga and wellness, scenic coastal walks, cultural tours, French culinary workshops, cocktail parties and Gala dinners.
Guests can engage in tailored small-group French lessons at the Château, complemented by informal conversational practice with teachers and hosts, who will be present throughout the entire journey.
Luxury French immersion retreat on the Côte d’Azur
This luxurious Château retreat offers five-star hospitality, exceptional cuisine, and an array of leisure facilities, including a heated infinity pool, lush gardens, a fully equipped gym and a pétanque pitch.
Guests can engage in tailored small-group French lessons at the Château, complemented by informal conversational practice with teachers and hosts, who will be present throughout the entire journey.
Live an authentic French Chateau experience on the Côte d’Azur
A stay in this exquisite 19th Century Chateau setting, could be just the boost you need to build confidence in your French speaking ability, and equip you with the vocabulary that will see you through a range of common situations, whatever your existing level of expertise.
You’ll also experience the heart and soul of the South of France, from local encounters to stunning natural landscapes with visits to the most beautiful coastal villages of the French Riviera, creating a rich tapestry of unforgettable memories.
Exquisite location, magnificent accommodation
Just 40 minutes from Nice airport, the chateau is only 5 minutes from Fréjus, a vibrant coastal town built on a sandstone buttress of the Esterel mountains and dating back 2000 years. Visit the remains of the Roman amphitheatre to soak up the atmosphere of ancient times and imagine the lives of the monks who once walked in the cathedral cloister.
Guests arrive at Château Lou Casteou on Friday and enjoy a relaxing weekend before language classes begin on Monday. Meet the team over a sunset aperitif, get to know your fellow guests over a candlelit dinner in the elegant Chateau’s dining room with fine wines, and enjoy the vibrant provincial Saturday market in Fréjus. Sunday brings a scenic road trip, with private brunch and wine tasting at a celebrated vineyard in the beautiful Côte de Provence wine region.
The private rooms with en-suite are spacious and designed with Classical French elegance, offering a true château experience. Each room is thoughtfully furnished with period-style décor and modern comforts, ensuring a perfect blend of authenticity and relaxation. Large windows invite natural light, showcasing breathtaking views of the château gardens, olive groves, or the shimmering Mediterranean Sea. Guests can unwind in a serene setting, surrounded by refined details that reflect the timeless charm of French aristocratic living.
A unique and outstanding immersion holiday in France
By the time you start your first interactive French Lessons on Monday, you should already feel immersed in the Provençal lifestyle, ready to perfect your skills with morning language sessions in the fully equipped classrooms. Small Groups are graded by ability and all classes are optional, but once guests see the improvement in their comprehension and spoken French, they are invariably hooked! But learning isn’t all classroom based, science shows that we learn best when we are doing something we enjoy so when you’re out and about you’ll have a chance to chat to the locals, go deeper into their culture, and really get under the skin of this diverse region.
Healthy and generous gourmet meals at the chateau will be prepared by Lou Casteou’s resident executive chef, served by professional waiters, al fresco by the pool, in the castle courtyard surrounded by historic cloisters, or the stunning dining room. Afternoons are all about cultural outing with a French private guide. And in the evenings, you’ll unwind with pre-dinner drinks, champagne and cocktails by the elegant poolside loggia, the perfect setting for socialising and relaxation.
There is a further chance to practise French, by joining an optional engaging conversation session in a lively atmosphere, with discussions centred around curated topics.
Explore the spectacular landscapes of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and
Estérel Mountains
The programme of afternoon visits is designed to showcase some of the most iconic places and experiences on this stretch of the Côte d’Azur. Discover red rocks, umbrella pines and Mediterranean views with a leisurely guided walk along the Estérel coast with historian Laurence, take a tour of historic Fréjus with its Roman amphitheatre and other ancient sites. Fancy conjuring up some authentic Provençal cuisine in your own kitchen? Then join the chateau chef for a workshop of Classic French cuisine and Patisserie.
Health and wellness enthusiasts can start their day with a morning French yoga session or unwind in the evening with a lively dance lesson led by a French instructor.
No visitor to the Côte d’Azur should miss dazzling Antibes with its cobbled streets, art galleries and independent boutiques. Artists Matisse, Chagall and Picasso all spent time here, and you’ll join a tour to walk in their footsteps. The Picasso Museum inside the impressive coastal fortress of Château Grimaldi is a must-do for art lovers. Picasso was invited to set up his studio inside the castle in 1946 and when he moved back to Paris, the artist left a body of paintings and sketches to the Château, a collection which was subsequently enlarged with other donations and purchases – it’s a must see.
You’ll also explore Mougins, a medieval village perched on a rocky outcrop above a former Roman road. With narrow streets spiralling round a bell tower and a wealth of small galleries and studios to explore, Mougins is quintessential Provence at its most charming.
Art enthusiasts will love a morning learning French vocabulary and expressions through Art at the Château Cloisters. Help local artists to create a beautiful tableau, improving your language skills as you go. And as a grand finale, after a leisurely afternoon, there is a Belle Epoque black-tie gala night to look forward to, with a performance of classic French music and opera, in the magical ambiance of the Chateau’s grand ballroom
As the retreat draws to close, a relaxing free day is set aside, before check-out for your private transfer to the airport on Sunday. Unwind by the pool or maybe enjoy a last chance to practise your new language skills with a visit to the artisan shops and cafes of the remote Agay village on the coast or the craft market and cobbled streets of Saint-Raphael. And who can resist the chance for a last game of pétanque over an early evening apéritif as you play with the locals, of course!
Places for this French immersion holiday on the French Riviera are extremely limited. For full information contact retreat host: Catherine Alapont email: info @ lapont.com or go to lapont.com/riviera-french-immersion-retreat-cote-dazur
