How it started… and where it’s going: the 2025 story
A project decades in the making
In the quiet no-man’s land between Christmas and New Year, somewhere between finishing the leftovers in the fridge and not quite knowing what day it is, I’ve found myself reflecting on the past year. And especially on the past three months, which marked the beginning of English in Nice / Nice en Français, a new language exchange in Nice that is already reaping its rewards.
This project has been a long time in the making. In fact, it has probably been assembling itself quietly somewhere in the back of my mind over decades.
First as a language learner, working towards fluency in French, yet even after a decade still having moments of feeling like a beginner when trying to communicate in real life. And equally, as an English teacher, hearing again and again how difficult it is for learners to find relaxed, real opportunities to actually speak.
Going out to make ourselves at home
Post-Covid, I began organising informal walk & talks in Nice, and it was there that something clicked. Walking in the fresh air, without pressure, is a remarkably gentle way to meet new people and break through language barriers. The next step was to create something more structured towards language learning and building a bilingual community. Over the past two years, I’ve taken this simple idea and worked it into something real, with the launch of the English in Nice / Nice en Français membership group in October.
My aim is simple: to help language learners, including myself, feel comfortable speaking.
Not through traditional language lessons, but through regular encounters, shared experiences, monthly themes and small adventures around the city. Because this is not just about language. It is about discovering Nice and its stories, making ourselves at home here, and moving beyond that strange detached “expat limbo” I have always tried to avoid.
Building English in Nice
The lead-up to the launch was intense but deeply rewarding. One unexpected turning point was discovering just how helpful AI could be. What began with mild fear and scepticism has quickly turned into daily collaboration, from building a bilingual website to untangling some of the many little admin puzzles that inevitably come with starting a new project.
Over the summer, I organised a few trial meet-ups to see whether there was real interest in creating a bilingual community and a genuine language exchange in Nice.
By October, the answer was a clear and joyful “yes!”
We began with ten members, five French learners and five English learners. From the very first Promenade des Franglais, a walk & talk with 45 minutes in French and 45 minutes in English, the group energy felt right.
From there, the weeks unfolded into something genuinely special. Friendly exchanges where laughter breaks down language blocks, where encouragement feels natural, and where confidence grows almost without noticing.
Three months of conversations, curiosity & shared moments
Each month has had its own gentle focus, to keep conversations fresh.
In October, the theme was Recipes, and our Explore & Discover activity took us to Rue Defly for a Meet the Street. We met shop owners and artisans who shared their stories in a mix of French and English. The following week, each member returned with their own “recipe” inspired by what we had discovered.
Learn more about Meet the Street
In November, the theme was Home, leading to what became one of my favourite moments so far: Our Tour, a collaborative guided walk through the Libération neighbourhood. After a preliminary recce, each participant chose a place that intrigued or inspired them and prepared a short presentation. Some were personal, some historical, some architectural, but every stop sparked curiosity, discussion and a lot of laughter.
At one point, we were unexpectedly recruited as a “mobile consultation team” by a resident facing the crisis of a lifetime: his newly restored villa had been painted entirely in the wrong shade of yellow. We offered our very non-expert but heartfelt opinions. The fact that being together as a group gave us the confidence to take part in that spontaneous Pantone debate says everything.
In December, Sharing was the theme. In this case we turned our attention to culture, sharing our thoughts on art, music, literature, film with our unique melange of international and local perspectives.
2026 and beyond…
Personally, the whole experience has been been rewarding: Speaking French without constantly feeling on the back foot. Receiving kind, thoughtful feedback. Staying curious rather than self-critical. And above all, sharing these moments with people who genuinely enjoy discovering new places together, with a shared mission of fun and fluency.
Looking ahead, I would love this community to grow, but only with care. What we have right now is something warm, trusting and personal, a group where people feel safe enough to try something new, to share, to laugh and to belong. Preserving this precious ambience matters far more to me than growing too quickly.
Here’s to more walks, more conversations, more discoveries and many more little adventures in 2026.
Wishing you all the very best for 2026 ✨
Clare
…And if this way of learning and discovering Nice inspires you, you can leave me a message to be informed about the next possibilities to join the group.
