Intensive French in the Ardennes
in the Heart of Europe

Dialogue is located in the town of Spa, in the Ardennes, where French, German and Dutch linguistic groups meet. Spa has been known as a health resort for many centuries, even in Roman times. It became so famous that in the English language the word "spa" became synonymous with "a place to be restored and pampered." From the 16th century on, crowned heads of Europe like Margaret of Valois, Christine of Sweden and Russia's Peter the Great came to Spa to be refreshed and rejuvenated by the curative powers of the region's lovely waters and baths. The writer Victor Hugo was also a great devotee of Spa's waters.

Modern-day Spa has many springs. In the center of Spa is the Pouhon Pierre-le-Grand (named after Peter the Great), but there are many others, including the Spa Monopole, which bottles and ships Spa's distinctive waters all over the world. Spa's architecture reflects the town's pride as the pre-eminent resort of the 19th century.

Spa is quiet, pleasant, comfortable: the ideal place to jump into a language and a culture.

Elliot Essman is Dialogue's North American representative. See Elliot's information page for telephone or email contact information.