French class Paris 3
Looking for a French as a Foreign Language teacher in Paris's 3rd arrondissement?
Whether you live, work, or simply love exploring this inspiring, trendy and authentic part of Paris, our French courses, designed especially for expats and their families, will help you grow your language skills and confidence.
The 3rd arrondissement: a peaceful, inspiring Marais to learn French
A neighborhood full of charm, history, and creativity – perfect for immersing yourself in the French language.
The 3rd arrondissement offers a softer, more intimate side of the Marais – still a little hipster, always full of character. It's a maze of cobbled streets, quiet courtyards, and centuries-old facades, with an atmosphere that blends freedom and heritage. Everything here invites us to slow down and explore: contemporary art galleries, independent bookstores, and cafés where laughter and a chat (in French, of course!) flow naturally.
We love getting lost among the 17th-century mansions, stepping into old Paris at the Musée Carnavalet or the National Archives, talking books over coffee at Merci, or sharing a bento at the Marché des Enfants Rouges, the city's oldest covered market, rich with flavors from around the world.
Along Rue de Bretagne, cheese shops sit beside wine bars, designer boutiques and neighborhood bakeries. In the evenings, young, artsy Parisians gather around the Carreau du Temple, sharing drinks, laughter, and lively conversation.
The 3rd arrondissement blends old and new Paris with effortless charm. It can feel a bit touristy at times, but it remains deeply, authentically Parisian. Sometimes called “NoMa” (North Marais), it's one of our favorite places to spend a weekend wandering, dreaming, and rediscovering those small moments that make life in Paris feel so magical. For our students and for us, the 3rd is a place where the city reveals itself a little differently each time.
At novexpat, we love teaching French here because in the 3rd, language comes to life in the everyday: a cheerful “bonjour” at the counter, a friendly exchange at the market, a spontaneous chat on a park bench. To learn French in the Marais is to learn how to feel at home in Paris, one word, one gesture, one shared moment at a time.
Let's start your French journey in Paris 3rd!
Private French Lessons for Expats in the 3rd
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 3rd 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 between 5 and 15 minutes by metro (even less by velib'...) no matter where you are in the 3rd arrondissement!
(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 3 for you in under 2 minutes!
2 Parisian Cafés Where to Take Your French Lessons in Paris 3
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 3rd 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 3:
Le Partisan
36 Rue Turbigo, 75003 Paris
Bontemps
57 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris
French Lessons in the 3rd: 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 3rd 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 3. Honestly, it was tough to choose from our long list of favorites!
Nestled inside the elegant Hôtel Donon, behind a classic French garden, lies a little-known museum we love sharing with students: the Cognacq-Jay Museum.
It feels more like a home than a museum; the home of Ernest Cognacq and Marie-Louise Jaÿ, founders of La Samaritaine and avid art collectors. Each room immerses you in the elegance of the 18th century: delicate portraits, fine furniture, chinoiserie, and curiosities from around the globe.
It's quiet, admission is free, and it's perfect for a 60-minute escape between lessons. We return often to dream, to talk art in French, to soak up the aesthetic of a century that still influences our taste today.
8 Rue Elzevir, 75003 Paris
Behind the tall walls of Hôtel de Soubise, right in the heart of the Marais, lies a lush secret garden, still unknown to many. The National Archives include nearly a hectare of greenery, created from the gardens of former private mansions.
It's a quiet retreat, perfect for strolling among ponds, romantic walkways and extraordinary trees: towering plane trees, umbrella pines, even a Himalayan chestnut – unique in Paris. Some of the vistas were designed by Le Nôtre himself! You might glimpse offices through the paneled windows of Hôtel d'Assy and find yourself daydreaming in this unexpected calm.
A rare find, open to the public only since 2011. You come out of curiosity and stay for the incomparable charm.
60 Rue des Francs Bourgeois, 75003 Paris
In the 3rd, art isn't confined to museums. It's everywhere: in shop windows, behind discreet doors, at the end of cobbled courtyards. Rue de Turenne, Rue Saint-Claude, Rue de Montmorency, Rue Saint-Gilles… Contemporary and modern art galleries abound here and are open to all.
Among them, the Perrotin Gallery, housed in a magnificent townhouse on Rue de Turenne, is a great starting point. Its bold, accessible, sometimes spectacular exhibitions unfold in a breathtaking setting. It sets the tone: art is alive, generous and speaks to everyone, no matter your background.
No need to be a connoisseur or collector: just walk in. Look around, listen, maybe even chat. Often, you'll walk out with a new emotion, a question, a spark.
To stay updated, check out Paris Gallery Map: the go-to guide for current shows and upcoming openings.
76 Rue de Turenne, 75003 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. 💛
390+
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 3rd arrondissement – a trendy, artsy, authentic, and truly fascinating neighborhood.
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 getting vintage fashion advice at Snow Bunny, picking up a day-old cookie at Scoop Me a Cookie, commenting on the latest exhibit at the Picasso Museum, doing your grocery shopping on Rue Rambuteau, chatting with other parents at school pick-up, 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 3rd arrondissement?
How to Get Started
-
Browse our French courses in Paris 3rd. Discover all the details about our FrenchUp Class, French conversation classes, and FrenchBooster program: prerequisites, syllabus, class structure, testimonials, and pricing.
-
Pre-apply online for your preferred French course (no payment, no commitment)
-
Get a video call interview with Fabienne, our enrollment advisor
-
Receive a detailed training agreement to sign and start learning French in Paris!
Still not sure about what French class in Paris 3rd would best fit you?
Book a video call with Fabienne
Not in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris ? No problem!
We also offer French lessons in Paris 1, Paris 2, Paris 4, Paris 10 and Paris 11... Five neighboring arrondissements where we support expats every week in gaining fluency and confidence in everyday conversations.
Looking beyond the 3rd? 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 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 are held in a space located in the 2nd arrondissement, easily accessible in about ten minutes by metro or bike from the 3rd!
We work in various spots throughout the 3rd, particularly near Arts et Métiers, the Marais, and Enfants-Rouges areas. Classes can take place at 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 a first introduction or school support. We work with families connected to schools like the Cours Molière International School. Our lessons are fun, age-appropriate, and designed to help children grow in both language and confidence. They can be held at home, online, or at a convenient location in the 3rd.
