Learn French your way with a TakeLessons expert

By Annie A. - Houston French Teacher

Houston has a growing population of French expatriates as business ties between Houston and France are strong. Moreover, Houston has had a French sister city, Nice, since 1973, and the subsequent networking has promoted economic and cultural ties. So, if you’re looking to take French lessons in Houston, be sure to check out the many opportunities open to you as a French student in this great city!

The Houston French Language and Culture Meetup Group is very active with members from Paris, Nice, Lyon and all regions of France. It holds French conversation group meetings, get-togethers and French movie meetups. You can get registered free of charge and organize your meetings with the rest of the group. Find out more about the group on their website here: http://www.meetup.com/The-Houston-French-Language-Meetup-Group/.

As Houston has attracted so many dynamic French speaking people, in 2010 the Education Francaise Greater Houston (EFGH) was founded to provide extra-curricular, affordable French language programs to French-speaking students and others. It works with interested schools and school districts. One of its initiatives is a French immersion summer camp at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart at Memorial Drive. You can always look up the EFGH's Facebook page to find out what new Francophone cultural events are scheduled in Houston, or check out their home page here: https://www.efghouston.org/Efgh/.

The best time to enjoy French cultural activities is the month of March, during the French Cultures Festival. Each year, the French Consulate in Houston organizes this celebration, which includes concerts, movies and artistic events. The Et Voila Theatre, an amateur group started in 1998, also presents a play in French and welcomes anyone who wants to be part of it.

The most important center of French language and culture in Houston is the Alliance Francaise. Founded in 1923, the Alliance is a privately-funded, nonprofit organization that offers comprehensive classes in French, along with a distinct cultural experience. Members can attend concerts, exhibitions and receptions and also can have access to the library. It is located in the beautiful historic district of Houston on Lovett Blvd.

Speaking of books, you can find French literature at Brazos Bookstore on Bissonnet St. (http://www.brazosbookstore.com/). The Houston Public Library also has a foreign languages section, and you can choose from a variety of French books (http://houstonlibrary.org/). If a particular book you want is not available at your closest library, one library can always borrow a book from another.

Houston also boasts of many restaurants, cafés and bakeries.

1. The French Riviera Bakery & Cafe is a popular place to have cafe au lait with the much recommended almond croissants and quiches.

2. A very tasteful Houston restaurant is the Cafe Rabelais. Their menu is written on chalkboard, as they change it frequently. Here, you can enjoy a typical French ambiance and dine at the best French restaurant in Houston.

3. Finally, Le Mistral is a popular upscale French restaurant located in West Houston near the Energy Corridor. It offers authentic French cuisine.

So, we have a lot of fantastic resources to supplement your French lessons in Houston. Bon appetit et bonne chance!