French class Paris 12
Looking for a French as a Foreign Language teacher in Paris's 12th arrondissement?
Whether you live, work, or simply love exploring this very family-friendly, green and full of life part of Paris, our French courses, designed especially for expats and their families, will help you grow your language skills and confidence.
The 12th arrondissement: spacious, green and full of life
The 12th is a Paris that breathes. It's open, lively and down-to-earth. A place where life feels good and where we love to teach.
This is a part of Paris that doesn't try to impress. It takes its time. The pace is calmer, the energy more relaxed, and the atmosphere quietly vibrant. We often find ourselves wandering here after class or on weekends, just enjoying how easy it is to feel at home.
Our walks usually begin near the Port de l'Arsenal, where houseboats rock gently and the masts creak softly in the breeze. The July Column rises behind us as we cross Place de la Bastille and pass the Opéra, heading toward Square Trousseau, a peaceful little square surrounded by perfectly symmetrical Haussmann buildings. Not far from there is the Aligre market, one of Paris's most vibrant. The stalls overflow with color, the air is filled with voices and laughter, and everything feels in motion.
From there, we love to follow the Coulée Verte, a leafy walkway above the streets that feels like a suspended garden. It's calm, green, and always changing with the seasons. Below, we glimpse the comings and goings at Gare de Lyon, or the lively scene at Ground Control, where people share long tables, swap stories, and enjoy good food and music in a laid-back atmosphere.
And then Paris stretches out. To the east, the 12th opens into the vast Bois de Vincennes, where the air changes and everything slows down. We walk shady trails, spot animals at the zoo, or catch a summer concert at the Parc Floral. We sit by the lake with coffee at the Chalet des Îles, or pause at the peaceful Grande Pagode, surrounded by silence and greenery. It's easy to forget we're still in Paris.
But this arrondissement isn't just about nature. On the other side, Bercy brings a more modern energy, with its bold architecture. We meet up with friends at the Cinémathèque, catch concerts at the Accor Arena, or stroll through Cour Saint-Émilion with its village vibe. There's food, wine, music and even dancing on the barges by the river. It's a livelier, contemporary side of the 12th, full of surprises.
At novexpat, we enjoy teaching here because everything's close by: great transport, green spaces, shops, schools, and plenty of culture to explore. It's a warm and spacious part of the city, ideal for settling in and learning French in a setting that feels both peaceful and full of life.
Let's start your French journey in Paris 12th!
Private French Lessons for Expats in the 12th
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 12th 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 20-minute metro or bike ride from stations like Daumesnil or Nation!
(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 12 for you in under 2 minutes!
2 Parisian Cafés Where to Take Your French Lessons in Paris 12
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 12th 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 12:
Le Crémieux
21 Rue de Lyon, 75012 Paris
Le Clint
18 Avenue Ledru Rollin, 75012 Paris
French Lessons in the 12th: 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 12th 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 explore in Paris 12. Honestly, it was tough to choose from our long list of favorites!
It feels like Notting Hill. But no, this is Paris, in the 12th arrondissement. Rue Crémieux with its colorful little houses, potted plants and hand-painted shutters has irresistible charm. Every façade has its own personality. People come here to wander, look up and soak in the color.
Just remember, it's a real place where people live. Influencers line up all day for the perfect photo, which sometimes leads to funny moments... The residents, with humor or exasperation (depending on the day and time), share it all on their Instagram account.
A beautiful spot to admire with your eyes and respect with your heart.
Rue Crémieux, 75012 Paris
A place we love for retrospectives, tributes and discoveries from all around the world. At the Cinémathèque Française, in the 12th arrondissement, you dive into film history like entering a cave of wonders.
Cozy theaters, rare or cult films, costumes, posters, cameras, iconic objects... Over 50,000 films, 60,000 posters and a rich collection that celebrates cinema's diversity and creativity.
It's a place to watch again or discover anew, to learn or be surprised. A place where you reconnect with masterpieces by Truffaut, Miyazaki or Kurosawa. Where you travel from one continent to another, from one genre to the next, and never get bored.
51 Rue de Bercy, 75012 Paris
It all starts with the façade. A huge Art Deco bas-relief already tells a thousand stories. Inside (also Art Deco), the Palais de la Porte Dorée museum shares the real-life journeys of those who came here from elsewhere to build a life.
Photos, archives, everyday items, testimonies and contemporary artworks... A powerful and moving visit that shows how deeply immigration is part of France's story.
You leave feeling more curious, more open and often touched. To extend the moment, head down to the Poisson Lune terrace. A drink in hand, music playing in the background... summer in Paris rarely feels this good.
293 Avenue Daumesnil, 75012 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
87
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 12th arrondissement a neighborhood where it's easy to stroll, shop, go out and feel at home.
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 asking for tips from shopkeepers on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, ordering a steak at the Trois Frères brasserie, commenting the amazing guided performance at the Musée des Arts Forains, chatting with other parents at school pickup, 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 12th arrondissement?
How to Get Started
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Browse our French courses in Paris 12th. 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 12th would best fit you?
Book a video call with Fabienne
Not in the 12th arrondissement of Paris ? No problem!
We also offer French lessons in Paris 4, Paris 5, Paris 11, Paris 13 and Paris 20... Five neighboring arrondissements where we support expats every week in gaining fluency and confidence in everyday conversations.
Looking beyond the 12th? 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 several formats designed for expats and their families, including private, duo or trio lessons. Our small group conversation classes and intensive programs like FrenchBooster take place in a classroom in the 2nd arrondissement, which is just about twenty minutes away by metro or bike from the 12th.
We teach in different parts of the 12th, including around Bastille, Quinze-Vingts, Picpus and Nation, Bercy and Porte Dorée. Lessons can take place at your home, in hand-picked cafés near you, at your workplace 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 children and international families with personalized French lessons, whether for early learning or school support. We work with families connected to schools like the bilingual Cour Molière. Our lessons are playful, age-appropriate and help kids build confidence and make real progress. They can be held at home, online or in a convenient location in the 12th.
