GENERAL INFORMATION

The Centre Méditerranéen d'Etudes Françaises - CMEF in Cap d'Ail - is an international language school campus, a French foreign language school on the French Riviera: learn French in France, take summer courses in French, take a linguistic break with your school or college, this is what CMEF offers, on the doorstep of Monaco, Nice and Italy.

A non profit making organisation which complements the State Education system, the "Centre Méditerranéen d'Etudes Françaises" was founded in 1952 by Jean Moreau.
Its idyllic setting, a beautiful wooded and floral park nestling on the hillside overlooking the Mediterranean, along with its antic style amphitheatre imagined and decorated by Jean Cocteau between 1957 and 1963 and now used for cultural events, create a unique atmosphere. Indeed the timeless works of the great poet still have a major influence on the educational methods of the Centre.
Since the creation of the CMEF, almost 260 000 students from all over the world have attended its courses in French Language and Civilisation. Its cultural commitment and pedagogical experience attracts approximately 4,000 youths and 200 teachers each year.

Location

The Centre is located 1 kilometre from the border of the Principality of Monaco, 15 kilometres from Nice and 20 kilometres from the Italian border. Situated approximately 100 metres above sea level, it is a wooded and flowery balcony overhanging the Mediterranean Sea, on the mountainside.
The panoramic view from the "tête de chien" (dog's head), hillside overlooking Cap d'Ail and Monaco and which was a strategic site for Emperor Augustus's Roman army, is probably the most beautiful of the French Riviera.

The Park

Set in a beautiful park overlooking the Mediterranean, the spectacular amphitheatre, three accommodation units, cafeteria, classrooms and reception area make the Centre a refreshing and stimulating place to live and work.
The proximity to nature, the magnificent panorama and the presence of Jean Cocteau's graphic and architectural poetry in an enclosed and well-kept area fill our participants with a feeling of well-being which aids academic work and international exchanges.

Life in the Centre

• The reception area. A young, dynamic and attentive team is ready to welcome you, promote effective communication within the groups and ensure a friendly atmosphere in the Centre.
• The rooms. 51 rooms with shower and toilet in 3 housing units.
• Study areas. 8 classrooms, the amphitheatre and outdoor facilities during the summer time.
• The cafeteria. Catering is self-service, offering balanced meals cooked in centre's kitchens. The cafeteria stays open in the evenings: students can meet up in a friendly, festive environment. Various forms of entertainment take place here several times a week: cinema, magic displays, dances, tasting of new foods.
• The terrace.
• Amphitheatre shows.

TEENS SUMMER PROGRAMME

Since 1988, the CMEF has welcomed over 12 000 teenagers during the summer period, aged between 13 and 17 years old and coming from around the world. Between mid-June and the end of August, the Centre accommodates about 500 teenagers - a limited number which allows to pay special attention to each and every student. The programme favours intercultural exchanges between young people.

A GLOBAL EDUCATIONAL CONCEPT

• Learn French in an international class at your level.
• Choose your afternoon sports, cultural activities and evening entertainment, enjoy new group experiences and build cross-cultural friendships.
• Share your room with young people of other nationalities, in tolerance and respect for collective rules and safety.

The international meeting at the CMEF contributes to the adolescents' open-mindedness and prepares them better for a globalized world.
All the French lessons are compulsory, as is Saturday’s weekly excursion. However, all evening and afternoon activities are optional in order for students to benefit from their independence. Nevertheless, the team leaders’ role is to encourage the students to take part in a maximum number of activities.

A quality of service and friendly supervision

At the height of the summer season, a total of more than 50 people work at CMEF with a maximum of 170 teenagers.
The reception team welcomes, informs and advises teenagers, from 8:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 19:00.
Qualified and carefully selected staff is on site 24 hours a day. They handle all transfers to and from the centre as well as organising cultural and sports activities in the evening and supervise the dormitories, ensuring the well-being of the students.
Working alongside the course leaders is a small security team, which controls access to CMEF around the clock.
Course leader to child ratio: 1:9 or 1:10.
Centre's teachers are all graduates in the teaching of French as a foreign language. Their lessons are not only beneficial but also enjoyable for teenagers.
Team of housekeepers looks after the practical side of the campus: they manage the cafeteria and meal preparation, they clean the bedrooms and they maintain the overall cleanliness of the centre, not forgetting the upkeep of the fabulous garden of 3 hectares.

LESSONS

In the morning:

• Teens programme, from complete beginners to B2 level in French
• Written and oral level test on arrival, and distribution of students into classes by level
• 15 students per class maximum
• Full 15 hours per week
• 8:45-10:30 - general French to develop comprehension, oral and written expression.
• 30-minute break.

"Intensive French" option:
Additional fee EUR 95.00 / week.
2x3h afternoons sessions on Tuesday, Thursday (5 to 10 students groups). This course allows you to improve general language skills and could be useful, if you wish, to prepare the TCF (French language test awarded by the French Ministry of Education) and to take at CMEF.

Afternoon activities

From Monday to Friday.
The team carefully selects activities to suit all tastes. The programme and the choice: sport, culture or tourism!
The students are free to enrol with their team leaders using their personal CMEF card in order to take part in the activities.
Mode of transport depends on the destination: on foot (Cap d'Ail, Monaco), by county bus, 9-seat CMEF minibus, private bus licensed for school transport.

Sports
Accompanied by the staff, helped by qualified specialists when necessary, sporting activities are organised in Cap d'Ail, Monaco and the Nice region:
• catamaran, paddle, banana boat, surf rescue (successful swimming test required)
• tree climbing, rock climbing
• tennis, beach volleyball, cycling, segway, rollerblades, etc.

Cultural and tourist activities
Discover the French Riviera in the company of centre's staff (Monaco, Nice, Menton, Villefranche, Eze, Beaulieu, Le Cap Ferrat, Roquebrune, etc..): walks and/or museums visits.
...But you can also relax at the pool of the port of Monaco or the prettiest beaches (supervised) between Nice and Menton: Mala and Marquet beaches in Cap d'Ail, Larvotto in Monaco, etc.

Group games at the Centre
And for those who prefer to stay at the Centre with friends, the staff regularly organise water games at the large terrace and under the shady pinewoods: fun and refreshment guaranteed!!!

Evening activities

They are specially prepared and organized by entertainment staff and are practised collectively or individually on the "grand terrace" with a space measuring 400 square metres overlooking the sea.
Young people move, participate in activities according to their preferences and according to what their friends are doing. If they just want to relax in small groups, the "lounge" corner is there to welcome them.

Every night at least 3 different activities are offered, such as:
sports tournaments, team games, cooking, fine arts, fitness, songs and dances, introduction to circus, pottery decoration, folklore, casino, quiz, Olympics, karaoke, DJ competitions, disco, etc.
An accompanied outing to Monaco by night is regularly scheduled throughout the summer.
Finally, at the Jean Cocteau amphitheatre of CMEF there are some great performances by young entertainers (talent evenings!) and in August there are classical music concerts and an evening of theatre.

Saturday excursion
(except the one on departure)

It is optional, with your team leaders: Cannes, Grasse the world capital of perfume, Antibes, Frejus and Agay Bay, the Italian Border, sail in a schooner between Monaco and Cap Ferrat, etc. These trips include a touristic/cultural tour followed by free time in the city and/or a relaxing time at the beach.

Rates and maximum commission to agencies - on request..

For more details about programme, courses, schedule, transfers, camp rules and accommodation - please contact us.