Hiking & nature with
Mountain Language Exchange
Mountain Language Exchange, what is it?
Created in 2023 by Charlie, an English, French and German teacher, and Quentin, a mountain guide: the idea is to experience mountain activities, dare to practice language and create new friendships.
They will take you to the mountains for short activities (a few hours) or weekends (2 or 3 days).
The 2 possible activities
"Weekends hiking and sleeping in the mountains"
The weekend runs from Saturday morning 8am to Sunday afternoon. At the gentle pace of mountain walking, you’ll discover magnificent wild landscapes and sumptuous mountains whose stories we’ll tell you. In pairs and with the group, you’ll practice French through a number of fun and playful games and activities. You can count on us to fill you up with anecdotes about the mountain, the region, plants and history.
Meals/picnics of fresh, local produce are provided. In guarded refuges, meals are provided by the establishment (also included in the price).
Nights are spent either in a bivouac or in a guarded refuge or hut.
"Thursday hikes and aperitifs"
Meet at 6pm at the starting point of the hike (communicated by the whatsapp group and accessible on foot or by bus from Annecy). At the gentle pace of mountain walking, you’ll discover magnificent wild landscapes. In pairs and with the group, you’ll practice your French through a variety of fun games and activities. The physical level is accessible to all (approx. 5km and 150m ascent).
Once you’ve reached the highest point of our hike, it’s time for your reward: an aperitif! By a campfire or watching the sun set over Lake Annecy, you’ll discover fresh local produce.
Return to Annecy at 9pm.
Agenda 2025
February
Weekend 22-23
Snowshoeing and night in a refuge
Two days snowshoe trekking and an overnight stay in a guarded refuge.
280€ per person all inclusive (meals, overnight stay, activities and supervision)
Small group 10 people max
- Language games
In pairs French/English/… - Discover the mountains
- Overnight stay in a (guarded) refuge
Easy level (able to walk at least 10km)
Equipment required : snowshoes, poles, rucksack, rucksack sheet, hiking boots,
warm winter clothes + change of clothes for the night, sunglasses, hat, gloves, sun cream
, cash (if you want to eat in the refuge), headlamp,
earplugs
Equipment can be loaned: snowshoes, sticks, rucksack, headlamp, rucksack sheet,
shoes (depending on size)
March
March 6
Excursion with aperitif and campfire
Excursion with aperitif and campfire.
30€ per person all-inclusive (aperitif, activities and supervision)
Small group 14 people max
- Language games
In pairs French/English/… - Mountains Discovery
Easy level (able to walk at least 5km)
Equipment required : rucksack, hiking boots, headlamp and, depending on the weather
appropriate mountain clothing, sunglasses, hat, gloves, sunscreen.
Equipment can be loaned: poles, backpack, headlamp, shoes (depending on size)
Weekend 15-16
Snowshoeing and a night in a cabin
Two days snowshoeing and one night in a hut.
240€ per person all inclusive (meals, overnight stay, activities and supervision)
Small group 10 people max
- Language games
In pairs French/English/… - Mountains Discovery
- Overnight stay in a (unguarded) cabin
Easy level (able to walk at least 10km)
Equipment required : snowshoes, poles, rucksack, rucksack sheet, hiking boots,
warm winter clothes + overnight change, sunglasses, hat, gloves, sun cream, headlamp,
earplugs
Equipment can be loaned: snowshoes, poles, rucksack, sleeping bag (limited stock),
headlamp, sheet, shoes (depending on size).
March 20
Apéro and campfire hike
Apéro and campfire hike.
30€ per person all-inclusive (aperitif, activities and supervision)
Small group 14 people max
- Language games
In pairs French/English/… - Mountains Discovery
Easy level (able to walk at least 5km)
Equipment required : rucksack, hiking boots, headlamp and, depending on the weather
appropriate mountain clothing, sunglasses, hat, gloves, sunscreen.
Equipment can be loaned: poles, backpack, headlamp, shoes (depending on size)
APRIL
Weekend 12-13
Two days snowshoeing and overnight in a hut.
A minimum of 6 people must register to confirm departure.
240€ per person all inclusive (meals, overnight stay, activities and supervision)
Small group 10 people max
- Language games
In pairs French/English/… - Mountains Discovery
- Overnight stay in a (unguarded) cabin
Easy level (able to walk at least 10km)
Equipment required : poles, rucksack, sheet, sleeping bag, hiking boots
warm mountain clothing + overnight change, sunglasses,
hat, gloves, sunscreen, headlamp, earplugs
Equipment can be loaned: snowshoes, poles, rucksack, sleeping bag (limited stock),
headlamp, sheet, shoes (depending on size).
April 16
Afterwork Aperitive hike
Aperitive hike.
Trail with afterwork from 6.15pm, head for the Semnoz with Quentin Blanc, ambassador for NNormal (trail running brand created by Killian Jornet).
Trail shoe test, cool pace on an 8km loop with 400m of ascent for a 1h15 outing. Followed by an aperitif by the lake.
Small group 10 people max (supervision and aperitif)
- Aperitif by the lake
- Language games
In pairs French/English/… - Mountains Discovery
Easy level (able to run 10km in 1h flat)
Equipment required : water, small rucksack, cap, windbreaker, snacks if necessary, etc…
Equipment can be loaned: rucksack, shorts, t-shirt, goggles, etc…
May
May 8
Challenge day and mountain games
Challenge day and mountain games.
80€ per person all-inclusive (aperitif, lunch, activities and supervision)
Small group 10 people max
- Language games
In pairs French/English/… - Mountains Discovery
Easy level (able to walk at least 5km)
Equipment required : rucksack, hiking boots, headlamp and, depending on the weather
appropriate mountain clothing, sunglasses, hat, gloves, sunscreen.
Equipment can be loaned: poles, backpack, headlamp, shoes (depending on size)
size)
Weekend 17-18
Hiking and overnight in a hut
Two days’ hiking and one night in a hut.
240€ per person all inclusive (meals, overnight stay, activities and supervision)
Small group 10 people max
- Language games
In pairs French/English/… - Mountains Discovery
- Overnight stay in a (unguarded) cabin
Easy level (able to walk at least 10km)
Equipment required : poles, rucksack, sheet, sleeping bag, hiking boots
warm mountain clothing + overnight change, sunglasses,
hat, gloves, sunscreen, headlamp, earplugs
Equipment can be loaned: snowshoes, poles, rucksack, sleeping bag (limited stock),
headlamp, sheet, shoes (depending on size).
May 27
Rock climbing & drinks
Aperitive hike.
€40 per person, all inclusive (activities and supervision)
With Anna Tessier, certified instructor, (re)discover rock climbing just a stone’s throw from Annecy (Grande Jeanne site), accessible by bus or carpooling, 1 km walk and 130 m elevation gain, approximately 2 hours of activity after work from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Small group 8 people max (supervision and aperitif)
- Language games
In pairs French/English/… - Introduction to rock climbing
Easy level
Equipment required : backpack, good trainers/shoes and, depending on the weather: suitable mountain clothing, sunglasses, sun cream
Equipment can be loaned: backpack, shoes/climbing shoes (depending on size)
June
Weekend 7-8-9
Hiking and night in a refuge
Three-day hike and two nights in a guarded refuge.
390€ per person all inclusive (meals, overnight stay, activities and supervision)
Small group 10 people max
- Language games
In pairs French/English/… - Discover the mountains
- Overnight stay in a (guarded) refuge
Easy level (able to walk at least 10km)
Equipment required : snowshoes, poles, rucksack, rucksack sheet, hiking boots,
warm winter clothes + change of clothes for the night, sunglasses, hat, gloves, sun cream
, cash (if you want to eat in the refuge), headlamp,
earplugs
Equipment can be loaned: snowshoes, sticks, rucksack, headlamp, rucksack sheet,
shoes (depending on size)
June 11
Rock climbing & drinks
Aperitive hike.
€40 per person, all inclusive (activities and supervision)
With Anna Tessier, certified instructor, (re)discover rock climbing just a stone’s throw from Annecy (Grande Jeanne site), accessible by bus or carpooling, 1 km walk and 130 m elevation gain, approximately 2 hours of activity after work from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Small group 8 people max (supervision and aperitif)
- Language games
In pairs French/English/… - Introduction to rock climbing
Easy level
Equipment required : backpack, good trainers/shoes and, depending on the weather: suitable mountain clothing, sunglasses, sun cream
Equipment can be loaned: backpack, shoes/climbing shoes (depending on size)
July
Weekend 19-20
Hiking and overnight bivouac
Two days hiking and one night in a bivouac.
190€ per person all inclusive (meals, overnight stay, activities and supervision)
Small group 10 people max
- Language games
In pairs French/English/… - Discover the mountains
- Overnight bivouac (tent)
Easy level (able to walk at least 10km)
Equipment required : tent, poles, rucksack, sheet, sleeping bag, hiking boots
warm mountain clothing + overnight change, sunglasses, hat, gloves, sunscreen, headlamp, earplugs
Equipment can be loaned: tent, poles, rucksack, sleeping bag (limited stock), headlamp shoes (depending on size).
July 24
Kayaking on the lake
Kayaking on the lake.
€40 per person, all inclusive (activities and supervision)
With a certified instructor from the Sévrier club, in the morning (best weather conditions on the lake for kayaking), accessible by bus, approximately 2 hours of activity.
Small group 10 people max
- Language games
In pairs French/English/… - Discover the lake
Easy level
Equipment required : backpack and, depending on the weather, suitable clothing, sunglasses, sun cream
Equipment available to borrow
July 24
Sunset aperitif hike
Sunset aperitif hike.
30€ per person all-inclusive (aperitif, activities and supervision)
Small group 14 people max
- Language games
In pairs French/English/… - Mountains Discovery
Easy level (able to walk at least 5km)
Equipment required : rucksack, hiking boots, headlamp and, depending on the weather
appropriate mountain clothing, sunglasses, hat, gloves, sunscreen.
Equipment can be loaned: poles, backpack, headlamp, shoes (depending on size)
size)
August
August 14
Kayaking on the lake
Kayaking on the lake.
€40 per person, all inclusive (activities and supervision)
With a certified instructor from the Sévrier club, in the morning (best weather conditions on the lake for kayaking), accessible by bus, approximately 2 hours of activity.
Small group 10 people max
- Language games
In pairs French/English/… - Discover the lake
Easy level
Equipment required : backpack and, depending on the weather, suitable clothing, sunglasses, sun cream
Equipment available to borrow
July 24
Sunset aperitif hike
Sunset aperitif hike.
30€ per person all-inclusive (aperitif, activities and supervision)
Small group 14 people max
- Language games
In pairs French/English/… - Mountains Discovery
Easy level (able to walk at least 5km)
Equipment required : rucksack, hiking boots, headlamp and, depending on the weather
appropriate mountain clothing, sunglasses, hat, gloves, sunscreen.
Equipment can be loaned: poles, backpack, headlamp, shoes (depending on size)
size)
Weekend 23-24
Hiking and overnight bivouac
Two days hiking and one night in a bivouac.
190€ per person all inclusive (meals, overnight stay, activities and supervision)
Small group 10 people max
- Language games
In pairs French/English/… - Discover the mountains
- Overnight bivouac (tent)
Easy level (able to walk at least 10km)
Equipment required : tent, poles, rucksack, sheet, sleeping bag, hiking boots
warm mountain clothing + overnight change, sunglasses, hat, gloves, sunscreen, headlamp, earplugs
Equipment can be loaned: tent, poles, rucksack, sleeping bag (limited stock), headlamp shoes (depending on size).
August 28
Sunset aperitif hike
Sunset aperitif hike.
30€ per person all-inclusive (aperitif, activities and supervision)
Small group 14 people max
- Language games
In pairs French/English/… - Mountains Discovery
Easy level (able to walk at least 5km)
Equipment required : rucksack, hiking boots, headlamp and, depending on the weather
appropriate mountain clothing, sunglasses, hat, gloves, sunscreen.
Equipment can be loaned: poles, backpack, headlamp, shoes (depending on size)
size)
September
Weekend 13-14
Hiking and overnight in a hut
Two days’ hiking and one night in a hut.
240€ per person all inclusive (meals, overnight stay, activities and supervision)
Small group 10 people max
- Language games
In pairs French/English/… - Mountains Discovery
- Overnight stay in a (unguarded) cabin
Easy level (able to walk at least 10km)
Equipment required : poles, rucksack, sheet, sleeping bag, hiking boots
warm mountain clothing + overnight change, sunglasses,
hat, gloves, sunscreen, headlamp, earplugs
Equipment can be loaned: snowshoes, poles, rucksack, sleeping bag (limited stock),
headlamp, sheet, shoes (depending on size).
September 18
Sunset aperitif hike
Sunset aperitif hike.
30€ per person all-inclusive (aperitif, activities and supervision)
Small group 14 people max
- Language games
In pairs French/English/… - Mountains Discovery
Easy level (able to walk at least 5km)
Equipment required : rucksack, hiking boots, headlamp and, depending on the weather
appropriate mountain clothing, sunglasses, hat, gloves, sunscreen.
Equipment can be loaned: poles, backpack, headlamp, shoes (depending on size)
