A historic campus for learning French
More than a century of teaching French in the heart of Tours
The Institut de Touraine welcomes students from around the world to an exceptional setting in the heart of Tours.
Housed in a complex of historic buildings bordering a tree-lined public garden, the campus combines heritage, culture, and an international outlook. For over a century, generations of students have been learning French there while discovering French culture and the French way of life.
Since its founding, more than 250,000 students have chosen the Institut de Touraine. Over the decades, lasting bonds have been forged with families from around the world, to the point where we now welcome the children—and sometimes the grandchildren—of those who came to learn French in Tours several decades ago.
Prominent figures from around the world
For over a century, the Institut de Touraine has welcomed learners from around the world: students, academics, diplomats, ambassadors, representatives of international organizations, artists, politicians, and business leaders.
Among its former students is King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, who came to improve his French during the summer of 1970, before his accession to the throne. See an excerpt from the 1912 advertisement and the letter from the King of Sweden.
Over the decades, generations of students have chosen the Institute for the quality of its instruction, its campus in the heart of Tours, and its recognized expertise in teaching French as a foreign language.
Even today, this diversity of backgrounds and nationalities makes the Institut de Touraine a true hub for encounters, dialogue, and openness to the world, where the French language serves as a bridge between cultures.
They studied at the Institut de Touraine
Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, younger sister of King Rama X of Thailand
Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau
Sari Nusseibeh, Palestinian philosopher and scholar
Yoko Tawada, Japanese novelist
An exceptional setting right in the heart of downtown
Housed in a complex of 19th-century buildings, the campus enjoys a prime location in the heart of Tours. Just 200 meters from the historic district, students can reach the city’s cafés, restaurants, shops, markets, museums, and other iconic landmarks in just a few minutes on foot.
Place Plumereau, the pedestrian streets of Old Tours, and the train station are all easily accessible, making the campus an ideal starting point for exploring Tours and the Loire Valley.
Much more than just a place of learning, the Institut de Touraine is a vibrant community where students gather between classes, share a cup of coffee, practice French every day, and fully embrace their immersion in the heart of the city.
Studying at the Institut de Touraine means learning French in an environment where meeting new people, engaging in cultural exchanges, and discovering French culture are an integral part of the experience. Located in the heart of Tours, the campus offers spaces designed for learning, working, socializing, and fully experiencing your immersion.