Learn French in Montpellier
Montpellier is a young, fast-growing university city where many people arrive with only a little French. This page covers how the language works there, the vocabulary students use, and where to take official exams locally.
French in Montpellier
Montpellier had 310,240 residents on 1 January 2023 (INSEE) and grew by about 1.4% a year between 2017 and 2023, faster than Paris, Marseille, Lyon or Toulouse over the same period. French is the official language and is used throughout public life. The city lies in Languedoc, where Occitan was historically spoken, and that heritage still shows in regional culture and some place names. Montpellier is a major university city, home to the Université de Montpellier and Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3, which makes it a common first stop for people learning French in France.
Why people in Montpellier learn French
International students are a big part of Montpellier, and the Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3 runs an institute for French as a foreign language, the IEFE, that prepares people for French-taught degrees. Researchers and staff in the city's health, agronomy and science sectors may work partly in English, but contracts, housing and children's schooling are in French. The city's rapid growth also brings families from abroad who need French for doctors, the CAF and local associations. Many learners here aim for B2, the level French universities often ask of international applicants.
The French you'll hear
Montpellier speaks standard French with the southern accent heard across Occitanie: rounded vowels, a pronounced final e and a relaxed rhythm. Because so many residents are students, you'll hear a lot of informal campus French, such as la fac for the university, le RU for the subsidised student restaurant and la coloc for a flatshare. Conversations also refer to local landmarks, such as la Comédie for the main square and the tram lines that link the centre to the rest of the city.
- On se retrouve sur la place de la Comédie ?Shall we meet on the Place de la Comédie?
- Je mange au RU ce midi.I'm eating at the student restaurant at lunchtime.
- Je m'inscris en licence à la fac.I'm enrolling in a bachelor's degree at university.
- Quel tram va vers la gare ?Which tram goes to the station?
- Je cherche une colocation près du centre.I'm looking for a flatshare near the centre.
French exams in Montpellier
For the DELF and DALF, the IEFE at Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3 runs a DELF-DALF exam centre with several sessions a year, focused on the higher levels B2, C1 and C2. The Alliance Française de Montpellier is a test centre for the TCF IRN, the TCF Tout Public, the TCF Québec and the TCF Canada, and it also runs the civic exam. Between them, students and future residents can cover both academic and administrative needs without leaving the city.
Check dates and fees with the exam centre directly; they change every session.
Where to start in the course
French Ultimate is an online course, so you can follow it from Montpellier or anywhere else. These topics are the most useful here:
Questions about learning French in Montpellier
What level of French do I need for a university in Montpellier?
Each programme sets its own requirement, but French-taught degrees commonly ask international students for B2, shown by a DELF B2, a DALF or a TCF result. The IEFE at Université Paul-Valéry also runs French courses for students who need to raise their level first. Check the admissions page for your course before booking an exam.
Is it easy to practise French in Montpellier?
Daily life runs in French, so there are plenty of chances to practise in shops, on the tram and in student associations. Because English is common among international students, you may need to choose French deliberately with friends. Regular structured study, online or in class, helps you make the most of that environment.
Can I start French Ultimate before moving to Montpellier?
Yes. French Ultimate is an online course, so you can begin before you move and continue after you arrive. It has no campus or teachers in Montpellier. Reaching A2 or B1 before arrival makes the first weeks of housing visits, bank appointments and university enrolment much easier to handle.
Learn French from Montpellier, at your own pace
Animated video lessons that stop for your answers, speaking practice, graded stories and DELF/DALF mock exams, from A1 to C2. Start with the free placement test to see where you are.
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