ACE YOUR FRENCH EXAMSTake ownership of your growth and achieve real results with us.


Bonjour!

“Vivez à la française à la Maison de Ste Claire”
“Apprentissage chez l’habitant”


  • La Maison de Ste Claire is a Cultural and Linguistics Immersion Centre for French Learning, situated in Upper Crystal Creek, northern New South Wales. Here, the students revel in a relaxed and wholesome setting, in a convivial, family atmosphere.
  • Please visit la Maison de Ste Claire Facebook page for more videos and photos, feedback from students and freebies.
  • Our special thanks goes to all the parents for entrusting us with the French education of their children and for making this experience into a family tradition. We feel especially blessed to have been able to follow the progress of some of our students annually and biannually from Years 8 to 12, and even more so when we see the younger siblings as well attending our French Immersion Programs. We’ve hosted some amazing students here and have enjoyed having them. Merci infiniment!

We hope to welcome you again, see some new faces and thank you for sharing this information with your family, friends and colleagues. Looking forward to seeing you soon. Merci et à très bientôt!

“A unique experience with guaranteed results.”
“Complete Immersion for Accelerated Language Development.” “Small but professional French language learning for everyone, at all levels”


Residential French Immersion YOUTH Program at la Maison de Ste Claire

“Attend this course to fine-tune all your language skills and be well prepared to ace your high school French examinations.”


  • Enrolments are for students who are currently studying French at school.
  • An extensive French Course from beginner to the advance level: programs such as the NSW HSC Continuers and Extension, the VCE and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program etc.
  • Parents contact us directly and this is a program that requires no accompanying teacher or parent. Students from various schools have lessons together on our premises, a 12-acre property in northern NSW, Australia.

“Teachers constantly at hand to help”
“A range of accompanied activities with focus on fun in learning”


Your Teachers & Tutors

  • This program has been designed by our highly qualified team, led by Dr Gilles Berger.
  • Our language consultant, Dr Gilles Berger was awarded the highest distinction for a PhD (Doctorat de sciences du langage et linguistique) from the université de Franche-Comté in Applied Linguistics for his research on the Hybrid French Online Program for français langue étrangère (FLE) or French as a Foreign Language in October 2015 so Maison de Ste Claire could keep abreast with the cutting edge technology in language learning.
  • Both Dr Gilles Berger and Zarina Berger have presented papers in linguistics and participated in various International Conferences around the world for their Professional Development.
  • Our teachers are highly experienced and also well trained in français langue étrangère (FLE) or French as a Foreign Language.
  • All educators have the Working With Children Check.

Your time at la Maison de Ste Claire

  • You will be tested on the four skills of French language learning (Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing) to be placed in the appropriate program
  • Individual linguistics progress is accordingly catered for so we keep our groups small to ensure ample attention to each and everyone.
  • Our program will be covering all language skills and you will also do exercises from past-years’ examinations. Our main aim is to develop a strong confidence in our students for an accelerated language learning in the target language.
  • Throughout your time here, the teacher/s will help, encourage and suggest ways for independent learning.

Your Daily Routine

  • The morning starts with a delicious French or continental breakfast.
  • This is followed by an intensive four-hour French lesson, with a morning-tea break.
  • Lunches and dinners are mainly two to three-course meals, with provincial cuisines from throughout France. The type of food is of course, seasonal and we cater for specific dietary requirement whenever applicable.
  • Afternoon activities varies, which could include indoor games, role play, revision, playing pétanque, swimming in the pool, French cooking, gardening, bush walking, watching French Musicals or simply relaxing in this beautiful environment.
  • We encourage our students to converse in French throughout the day, in a very relaxed atmosphere.
  • An hour daily writing task (corrected and discussed in class the day after) before dinner.
  • Evening activities include watching French movies (subtitled in French).

It is a morning arrival on the first day, so you will have one session before lunch and another one from 15:00 to 17:00 hrs. The usual daily routine commences on the second day. Departure on the last day is in the afternoon, after the completion of your last morning session and lunch. In total, you will have 35 hours of formal lessons for a 7-Day Program (4 hours in the morning and 1 hour before dinner with interactive activities in French in the afternoons, daily).


Time-slots and Availability

You may select any of the time-slot with availability that you are interested in. Where the year level is specified, we will be concentrating on that age group. Otherwise (whence the year level is not specified), it’s based on the attendees where the level would be adapted accordingly in a coherent composite group or separate groups formed if the difference in level is prominent.


Availability for 2024

JANUARY 2024 Availability
Mon 08 to Sun 14 7-Day Program Group 1: Yrs 8/9 IB/NSW/HSC/ACT/VCE/QLD/WA/SA 5 spaces
7-Day Program Group 2: Yrs 10/11 IB/NSW/HSC/ACT/VCE/QLD/WA/SA 3 spaces
Mon 15 to Sun 21 7-Day Program Yr 12 IB/NSW/HSC/ACT/VCE/QLD/WA/SA 2 spaces

APRIL 2024 Availability
Sun 21 to Sat 27 7-Day Program Yr 12 IB/NSW/HSC/ACT/VCE/QLD/WA/SA NEW: 9 spaces

JUNE/JULY 2024 Availability
Thu 13 to Sat 15/06 3-Day Program Yrs 11/12 QLD/QCE FULL
Sun 30/06 to Sat 06/07 7-Day Program Yrs 11/12 NSW/HSC FULL
Sun 07 to Sat 13/07 7-Day Program Group 1: Yrs 10/11 IB/NSW/HSC/ACT/VCE/QLD/WA/SA 6 spaces
7-Day Program Group 2: Yrs 8/9 IB/NSW/HSC/ACT/VCE/QLD/WA/SA 5 spaces
Sun 14 to Sat 20/07 7-Day Program Yrs 11/12 IB/NSW/HSC/ACT/VCE/QLD/WA/SA 9 spaces
Sun 21 to Mon 29/07 9-Day Program Yrs 11/12 QLD/QCE FULL

Availability for 2025

APRIL 2025 Availability
Mon 14 to Sun 20 7-Day Program Yrs 10/11 IB/NSW/HSC/ACT/VCE/QLD/WA/SA NEW
Mon 21 to Sun 27 7-Day Program Yr 12 IB/NSW/HSC/ACT/VCE/QLD/WA/SA NEW

July 2025 Availability
Mon 30/06 to Sun 06/07 7-Day Program Group 1: Yr 8 IB/NSW/HSC/ACT/VCE/QLD/WA/SA NEW
7-Day Program Group 2: Yr 9 IB/NSW/HSC/ACT/VCE/QLD/WA/SA NEW
Mon 07 to Sun 13 7-Day Program Yrs 10/11 IB/NSW/HSC/ACT/VCE/QLD/WA/SA NEW
Mon 14 to Sun 20 7-Day Program Yr 12 IB/NSW/HSC/ACT/VCE/QLD/WA/SA NEW

The Procedure to Follow

  • Please contact la Maison de Ste Claire for availability and to confirm your booking, please send a deposit of $150 (pricing and payment details below).
    Credit or Debit Card: Please, if you would like to pay the AUD$150 DEPOSIT by card NOW.
    Full-payment is due a month before the start of your program and please send a request for an invoice if needed.
  • Please complete the Student Information Form and the Parental Permission Form and return by email or snail mail. Please specify any dietary requirement and/or food allergies.

  • ✓ PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR FLIGHTS & COVID REGULATIONS ❤❤
  • Send us your flight details, once purchased.
  • The closest airport to la Maison de Ste Claire is the Coolangatta Airport (OOL) on the Gold Coast, and we provide airport return transfer (complimentary for group pickup at OOL only).
  • Airport pick-up at OOL is at 12:30 hrs (NSW time) and departure from la Maison de Ste Claire on the last day is at 14:00 hrs (NSW time), so please choose the appropriate arrival and departure times when booking your flights.
  • The travel time from la Maison de Ste Claire to Coolangatta Airport is about 45 minutes.
  • Please allow 1 hour for check-in prior to your flight's scheduled departure time and also make note of Daylight Savings if travelling between the 1/10/2023 to 7/04/2024, 6/10/2024 to 6/04/2025.

Once you’ve paid the deposit,

    Please submit your assessments a month prior to the start of your French Program at la Maison de Ste. Claire.
  • For your oral assessment, please send an mp3 file with a recording of the question with your answer to each question (Download the questions here). Please do so in an impromptu manner as to allow a truthful assessment so we could better prepare materials for your positive development.
  • For your writing assessment, please send a 200 word essay on “Mes dernières vacances” for everyone and for the French Advance/Extension students, please also send a second essay with the topic of “Le bonheur, qu’est-ce que ca veut dire pour toi?” (either in .pdf, word or pages documents).
  • If you are a Beginner and/or only in Year 8 student, please cover questions requiring answers in the present tense only and an essay about,“Ma famille, mes amis et moi”.
  • Both assessments are to be emailed to this email address a month prior to the start of your French Immersion Program at la Maison de Ste Claire.
  • Closer to the commencement of your program, an email with be sent with information on our mobile numbers, meeting point for airport pick-up, What to Bring List and other general information .
  • Please bring either your Iphone or smartphone, laptop, Ipad or tablet (if you have one) for the transfer of French materials such as videos, interactive e-books for revision and/or for Flipped Class situation. These materials are also for future revision and phonetic work once you leave la Maison de Ste Claire.

COVID-19 Regulations & Safety

COVID safety
Since Friday the 15th May 2020, we have commenced hosting students until advised otherwise.
All staff and students are to adhere to the Covid-19 guidelines set out by the NSW government while on-site. The nature of the Immersion is on-site only, and as such, does not involve mixing in large groups. We have taken some extra steps to keep our students and staff safe. These include

  • Following all government health guidelines.
  • Additional cleaning and hand sanitisers on our premises.
  • As this is a private property of 12 acres, public entry points are minimised, hence the students are naturally isolated and no public distancing required. Current access on-site is for the hosts only for this period. As usual, all food order will be made through online order.
  • For students arriving at la Maison, please carry a personal hand sanitiser to be used during the travel. Please practise regular hand washing and all the usual practise of good hygiene on a daily basis, at all times while at la Maison de Ste Claire.
  • If you’re travelling by air, to be cautious and Covid safe, please book your flights in and out of Ballina Airport (BNK). The best flights for students flying from Sydney would be JQ 458 with arrival at BNK at 11:45 am, and JQ461, departing BNK at 17:00 hrs (please check airline website for latest information). If you’re using other airlines or travelling from another city, please arrive at the airport at approximately the same times.

  • The return transfer is as a group, with everyone arriving at the same airport at an appointed time (please see above). Otherwise, we could organise for individual transfer with a local company which costs $220 for one way, hence $440 return trip. Until further notice, la Maison will be adopting arrival at Ballina Airport due to the possible problems associated with Covid-19. Thank you for understanding. Merci!
  • For any cancellations due to COVID-19, there are two options: paid funds are valid for 12 months and transferable to an alternative time-slot. If you’d paid in full and wish to be refunded, there is a fee of $150 for the administration, for invoicing and raising a credit note for the refund. The second option is usually preferable only for students graduating in that year. However, if applicable, this payment is also fully transferable to another member of the family, and valid for 12 months as well. Please advise of your preference.

“Through passion and excellence, we discover the hidden linguistics genius in you.”
“Speak languages: The future is at your fingertips, so shape your destiny today.”


Your Accommodation

As our guest, you are provided with onsite accommodation. Accommodation is mostly twin-share but could be up to four students in Fleur de Lys. Of course, boys and girls will be housed in separate sections:

  • Fleur de Lys: Quadruple Share: In Train Carriage 2 with ensuite (1 shower, 1 toilet, 1 sink and double spa bath). Direct access to main house, garden classroom and deck. 1 room - Fleur de Lys: 4 Single Beds
  • Fleur Violette: Twin Share: In Train Carriage 2 with ensuite (1 shower, 1 toilet and 1 sink). Direct access to deck. 1 room - Fleur Violette: 2 single beds.
  • Les Chambres Roses: Twin Share: In Train Carriage 1 with shared bathroom (2 showers, 2 toilets and 2 sinks). Direct access to main house and garden classroom. 3 rooms - Rose 1 & 2: 1 Bunk bed in each and Rose 3: 2 single beds
  • L’annexe: 1 room with access to the main house, deck and separate bathroom (1 shower, 1 toilet and 1 sink). 1 double bed and 1 to 2 single beds

We have the dormitory style accommodation for our youth and school groups.


After Maison de Ste Claire

  • Do come again!
  • Students will leave with a personalised interactive e-book or videos, downloadable onto your laptop/mobile phone/ IPad for phonetic work.
  • Please request for a short report from the teacher, as we'd be more than happy to provide this also.
  • Dr Gilles Berger is also an assessor for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation.

After your time with us, we offer our continuing support which include:

  • The Online French Course (comprehensive and interactive).
  • The weekly French Webinar for online French lessons (flipped class) to complement the learning process of above (a small group of 10 students).
  • The weekly Live_chat Private Tuition (1:1).
  • French Writing: corrected and returned.
  • The series of Interactive eBooks via the Apple platform.

La Maison de Ste Claire supports you all the way!



Pricing

Fee Structure 2023

  • 5-Day Intensive Program $ 1,849
  • 6-Day Intensive Program $ 1,979
  • 7-Day Intensive Program $ 2,099
  • 14-Day Intensive Program $ 3,679
  • 21-Day Intensive Program $ 5,419

Fee Structure 2024

  • 5-Day Intensive Program $ 1,890
  • 6-Day Intensive Program $ 1,999
  • 7-Day Intensive Program $ 2,199
  • 14-Day Intensive Program $ 3,759
  • 21-Day Intensive Program $ 5,489

Please note that there is a discount of $50 for the second sibling attending in the time-slot as well as for any students attending for the second or more times in the same year. Please advice when you are making a booking.
Please pick your time-slots carefully as any changes of dates will incur a fee of $150.


What does the price include?

  • All tuition fees, workbooks for students (except textbooks), accommodation, all meals (including morning and afternoon-tea) and all activities at Maison de Ste Claire.
  • Personalised videos and ebook for revision and phonetic work, including mp3&4 files downloaded onto your laptops/IPhone/Smartphone/IPAD.
  • One complimentary excursion per week (minimum 7 day stay), either to Coolangatta Beach, Byron Bay or the Natural Arch Springbrook National Park.
  • Airport return transfer for Coolangatta Airport.

Payment can be made by

  • Credit or Debit Card: Please, if you would like to pay the AUD$150 DEPOSIT ONLY by card NOW.
  • Electronic transfer, National Australia Bank BSB 082738, Cheque A/C 946475496, Name: Maison de Ste Claire.
  • Cheque or money order in the order of Maison de Ste Claire, please.

Conditions of Enrolment

  • No enrolment is accepted without a $150 deposit..
  • Fees are not refundable where enrolment is cancelled by a student due to changes in work commitments or personal circumstances but can be used within 12 months of purchase. Only applicable if Maison de Ste Claire is advised at least 14 days prior to your intended arrival.
  • For any cancellations due to COVID-19, there are two options: paid funds are valid for 12 months and transferable to an alternative time-slot. If you’d paid in full and wish to be refunded, there is a fee of $150 for the administration, for invoicing and raising a credit note for the refund. The second option is usually preferable only for students graduating in that year. However, if applicable, this payment is also fully transferable to another member of the family, and valid for 12 months as well. Please advise of your preference.

You'll Love Our French Adventure ParadiseA unique family home, set atop a hill, surrounded by subtropical rainforest, with spectacular views over the valley, the Border Ranges, the World Heritage-listed Numinbah Nature Reserve and glimpses of Mount Warning behind the majestic white gum trees. Fresh organic food, produced and cooked daily at Maison de Ste Claire. Local natural spring water, and special energised water.

LA TAPENADE
FLOWER BED
GARDEN PRODUCE
POOLSIDE

Maison de Ste. Claire21 Kazungula Place, Upper Crystal Creek NSW 2484 Australia
The closest airport is the Coolangatta Airport (OOL) on the Gold Coast

BE PART OF THE MULTILINGUAL FELLOWSHIP

MISSION

We believe in creating a multilingual World Community for World Peace and the development of spiritual growth.

OUR VISION

is to act as a force of good throughout the world. We achieve this goal through education, ecology and ethics, and nurturing our love of humanity and nature, and celebrating the cultural and linguistics diversity of the world.

OUR VALUES

We embrace all the people of the world and belief in equality in humanity. And to have a heart that certainly beats with the pulsation of humanity.