French class Paris 1
Looking for a French as a Foreign Language teacher in Paris's 1st arrondissement?
Whether you live, work, or simply love exploring this vibrant and fascinating part of Paris, our French courses, designed especially for expats and their families, will help you grow your language skills and confidence.
The 1st arrondissement: a journey through the beating heart of Paris
A neighborhood of contrasts, memory, and motion, where every corner tells a story.
The 1st arrondissement is like the heart of Paris. A heart that's ancient and ultra-modern, quiet or noisy, majestic and underground. It's the least populated district in the capital and yet the most crossed. You may not live here... but sooner or later, everyone passes through.
First, there's the buzz of the Halles district, once the belly of Paris, so vividly described by Zola. Once a bustling hub of markets and food trades, it's now a city within the city, centered around the Forum des Halles and its sprawling underground levels. Here, all of Paris converges — hurried, busy, in search of a shortcut or a perfect purchase — under the watchful gaze of the monumental Saint-Eustache Church and the Bourse de Commerce, now home to the Pinault Collection.
We love getting lost there, eyes drawn to an old façade, a forgotten sign or an unexpected passageway. The legendary E. Dehillerin, a paradise for cooking enthusiasts, awakens dreams of Michelin stars or Ratatouille-style adventures. A bit farther on, the former brasserie Cloche evokes the neighborhood's artistic, mercantile, and free-spirited past. That popular soul is still here, vibrant, irrepressible, even behind sleek modern storefronts. It energizes us.
But the 1st is also an open-air museum. Around every corner, a trace of history: a plaque in the pavement recalling the assassination of Henri IV; a chilling, forgotten fountain once used for public executions; the aged mirrors of the Véro-Dodat gallery, where echoes of a vanished Paris still linger. Just look up, and History – with a capital H – catches up with you.
In the evening, we head down the lively streets of the old Halles — rue de la Ferronnerie, rue des Lombards — and might slip into a jazz club. Just steps away, La Samaritaine, a newly restored Art Nouveau masterpiece, greets us with its graceful curves and breathtaking glass roof — a moment of pure wonder.
Then comes the shock, the endless inspiration: the Louvre. Monument, museum, mystery. Whether we go inside or simply walk around its vast perimeter, it never stops fascinating us. Our favorite moment? At night — when the crowds fade, the Pyramid glows, and silence begins to return to the galleries. From there, we drift toward the Palais Royal, with its golden gates, secret passages, and formal French gardens… or toward the quiet Place du Marché Saint-Honoré, where we sip a drink, far from the noise of the world.
In the 1st, what astonishes us again and again is how quickly you shift from one world to another in just a few streets: from the luxury of Place Vendôme to the popular energy of Les Halles, from the chic boutiques of rue Saint-Honoré to the big-name stores of rue de Rivoli, from medieval alleyways to the futuristic curves of the Canopée. It's a district of contrasts, where everything coexists — without ever truly clashing.
At novexpat, saying we love teaching in this neighborhood would be an understatement. It simmers, it questions, it unsettles — and always, it inspires. Learning here means learning to read between the lines, to notice the details, to walk through time as you walk through phrases. You don't just pass through the 1st — you travel through it.
Let's start your French journey in Paris 1st!
Private French Lessons for Expats in the 1st
Step out of your comfort zone, confidently
Since 2017, we've been helping expatriates and their families learn French and feel more at home in Paris. Our courses focus on real-life situations you'll face as an expat – at work, at school, in daily errands, and in social settings – so you can improve your French quickly(1) and communicate with confidence.
Whether you're a complete beginner or an advanced learner preparing for the DELF, TCF, or DCL FLE exams, we'll support your language journey and help you navigate the nuances of French culture with ease.
Private French Lessons
Our native French teachers offer FrenchUp private lessons right in the 1st arrondissement – at your home, your office, or in handpicked local cafés. These charming, Parisian settings create a relaxed atmosphere where learning feels natural and enjoyable.
Group French Lessons
Prefer learning with others? You can take our FrenchUp courses in small, friendly groups of peers, friends, or families at the same level – at your office or at your home.
We also offer dynamic group classes like the French Conversation Class and our FrenchBooster Programme. These sessions are held nearby at 54 rue Greneta, Paris 2nd – just a 5-minute walk from Forum des Halles!
(1) Students in our FrenchUp private lessons typically improve by one full CEFR level in just 30 hours of instruction – from placement test to final evaluation.
Which French Course Is Right for You?
Take Our Quick Quiz!
Private or group French lessons? FrenchUp courses, conversation classes, or the FrenchBooster Programme? Take our short quiz and find the perfect French course in Paris 1 for you in under 2 minutes!
2 Parisian Cafés Where to Take Your French Lessons in Paris 1
Over 11,000 hours of lessons – and almost as many spent in Parisian cafés with our learners!
Not just because we're coffee lovers (okay, maybe a little), but because the Parisian café is one of the most practical, inspiring, and culturally rich places to take a French lesson.
We're always on the lookout for authentic, welcoming cafés ideal for private French lessons. We carefully select and recommend spots in the 1st arrondissement that match your mood, the weather, and the vibe of your neighborhood.
Here are two of our favorite cafés for French lessons in Paris 1:
Café Verlet
256 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris
Marcelle
22 Rue Montmartre, 75001 Paris
French Lessons in the 1st: A Perfect Excuse to Explore the Neighborhood
In the midst of busy schedules, daily errands, and the challenges of expat life, it can be hard to make space for yourself. But taking French lessons is more than just language learning – it's also a chance to slow down, connect, and immerse yourself in the rhythm of Paris.
Why not extend your lesson into a little urban escape?
Wander a side street, admire an architectural detail, or step into an offbeat boutique or museum. Every corner of the 1st arrondissement offers a slice of Paris worth discovering.
We're passionate about this city, and we love sharing our favorite addresses, secret spots, and daily rituals with our learners. Because learning French should be more than grammar and verbs: it should feel like a real immersion in the Parisian way of life. We're here to help you fully experience your French moment and truly feel at home in Paris.
And until your next French class? We've already picked out three magical spots to discover in Paris 1. Let the adventure begin!
We've walked past it dozens of times without noticing. It blends into the scenery, this discreet gallery between Palais Royal and Les Halles… And then one day, you push open the gate, and everything changes. Silence. Reflections. Overhead light. Welcome to one of the most beautiful covered galleries in Paris and, for us, the most magical.
Galerie Véro-Dodat offers 80 meters of neoclassical elegance, a perfect sequence where everything feels suspended: mythological statues, sculpted friezes, dark woodwork and cast iron reliefs, antique mirrors, and precious shop windows. You walk on the checkered floor like in a geometric dream. And in the shops? A luthier, an art bookshop, antique dolls, a hidden gallery, a very good restaurant… and of course, the famous Louboutin shoes, displayed like artworks.
You come here to get a little lost, to slow down, to see Paris differently, between two eras. Each time, you think: I should have come back sooner.
19 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 75001 Paris
Some places we return to with the same joy every time. The square du Vert-Galant, at the very tip of the Île de la Cité, is one of them. When you descend the few steps into this little garden hanging over the Seine, something in you slows down. You sit under the big weeping willow, watch the tour boats pass, admire the Art Nouveau curves of the Samaritaine across the river. Water surrounds you. The heart of Paris beats here, peacefully.
Sometimes, you bring a bottle, a few glasses, some cheese, still-warm bread. And if the evening stretches out, head to Place Dauphine, just a few steps away. A small oval square, discreet, almost out of time, surrounded by gentle façades and quaint cafés. You'll see people playing pétanque or Molkky, chatting, enjoying. In that moment, you feel miles from Parisian frenzy!
Place du Pont-Neuf, 75001 Paris
Our antidote to stuffy museums: here, you touch, you play, you marvel, you laugh – and still, you learn. Le Musée en Herbe is a little gem tucked in the 1st, designed for children but never dumbed down. We've seen immersive, colorful exhibits here – playful journeys where Picasso, Niki de Saint Phalle, or street art become sensory adventures.
The pedagogy is joyful, inventive, always rooted in fun and humor. You can enroll little ones in art workshops starting at two and a half, or simply spend an hour here as a family, hand in hand, discovering art from a different perspective.
It's a museum that feels good, that inspires, that sparks passions. We go back with children… or with our inner child. And it works every time.
23 Rue de l'Arbre Sec, 75001 Paris
Like the illustrated map in the background? It was created by French artist EmYLo, who captures neighborhoods with beauty and charm.
You can order a numbered print on her website. 💛
380+
Expat Students
4.9/5
global satisfaction
88
net promoter score*
100%
pass rate in exams
Who am I?
Bonjour, I'm Fabienne Defaux!
I'm a French as a Foreign Language teacher and a true Paris enthusiast – especially when it comes to the 1st arrondissement which has this unique vibrant and fascinating atmosphere.
For over 14 years, I've been helping expats and their families settle into life in Paris. In 2017, together with my husband Pierre-Yves, I founded novexpat with one clear goal: to offer personalized French lessons designed for the real lives of expats – so they can navigate daily life in Paris with more ease, confidence, and joy.
At novexpat, real life is our classroom. Our courses are built around the everyday situations you face – at work, at school, in the market, or on a café terrace – so you can start speaking and understanding French naturally, right from the start.
What do our learners often tell us?
✨ That each lesson immediately helps them better understand their surroundings, connect more easily with locals, and feel more at home – whether they're asking for advice from Samaritaine vendors, ordering œufs mayo at Pied de Cochon, commenting on artworks at the Louvre, shopping on rue de Rivoli, or taking a French-guided tour of the Palais Royal, or participating in a work meeting with French-speaking colleagues.
With a team of 10+ experienced teachers and a deeply human approach, we design a learning experience that adapts to your goals, schedule, and lifestyle – and yes, even your neighborhood!
Throughout your journey, I stay personally involved to make sure everything fits: the right teacher, the right pace, and the right approach – just for you.
Ready to make French a natural part of your Parisian life? Explore our French courses in Paris and book a video call with me to chat — and why not begin this wonderful adventure right here, in the 1st arrondissement?
How to Get Started
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Browse our French courses in Paris 1st. Discover all the details about our FrenchUp Class, French conversation classes, and FrenchBooster program: prerequisites, syllabus, class structure, testimonials, and pricing.
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Pre-apply online for your preferred French course (no payment, no commitment)
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Get a video call interview with Fabienne, our enrollment advisor
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Receive a detailed training agreement to sign and start learning French in Paris!
Still not sure about what French class in Paris 1st would best fit you?
Book a video call with Fabienne
Not in the 1st arrondissement of Paris ? No problem!
We also offer French lessons in Paris 2, Paris 8, Paris 9, Paris 3, Paris 4, Paris 5, Paris 6 and Paris 7... Huit neighboring arrondissements where we support expats every week in gaining fluency and confidence in everyday conversations.
Looking beyond the 1st? We teach in all arrondissements of Paris — and even in surrounding cities like Neuilly-sur-Seine, Issy-les-Moulineaux, and Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
Not in Paris yet? Thanks to our online French courses, you can start learning remotely before your plane even lands.
FAQ
Your questions answered
We offer various formats tailored to the needs of expats and their families, including private lessons, duo or trio classes. Small group conversation classes and intensive programs like our FrenchBooster take place in a classroom located in the 2nd arrondissement, just a 5-minute walk from the Forum des Halles!
We teach in various locations around the 1st, particularly near Vendôme, Saint-Honoré, Louvre, Rivoli, and Les Halles. Classes can take place at your home, in selected cafés near you, in your office, or online if you prefer more flexibility.
Absolutely! Our French lessons are tailored for expats, even total beginners. Our goal is to help you feel comfortable speaking French in real-life situations — at the doctor's office, in shops, at your child's school, during administrative appointments or at the coffee machine with your coworkers.
It all depends on your starting point and your objectives. Thanks to our practical approach and personalized support, each course gives you the keys to progress in the situations that matter to you. For our FrenchUp learners, we see an average improvement of one language level every 30 hours.
Our classes are based on real-life needs, not just grammar or vocabulary lists. Unlike language apps or fully automated platforms, we offer a personalized and structured learning experience with professional teachers who understand the expat life in Paris. We help you speak, connect, and integrate — not just memorize, with highly qualified teachers.
In many cases, yes! We can help you present your learning plan to your HR or mobility team. Our training programs are structured, goal-oriented, and make sense as part of a professional integration or development plan. You can also use your CPF to finance part of your training. Don't hesitate to consult our page dedicated to financing or contact us to discuss it together.
We're committed to presenting all our programs on the site in a thorough and comprehensive way. We've also created a free quiz to help you identify the program best suited to your level, goals and schedule. It's quick, non-binding and gives you a personalized recommendation in just 2 minutes. Finally, if you still have any doubts, don't hesitate to book a discovery call with Fabienne, our teaching consultant. She'll guide you towards the program that's right for you.
Absolutely! We support expat and international families with personalized French lessons for children, whether it's for a first introduction or academic support. Our lessons are fun, age-appropriate, and help them gain confidence while improving their French. They can be held at home, online, or at a convenient location in the 1st arrondissement.
