Limmat · Grossmünster · Zurich 
French classes for au pairs in Zurich, in the evening and on Saturday mornings
Alliance Française de Zurich teaches French at Merkurstrasse 34, close to Kreuzplatz and Seefeld. Its evening courses last 1h30 a week at 18:15, in groups of 3 to 8 with native French teachers, from A1 to C2. A Saturday-morning DELF–DALF preparation, 10:00–13:00, completes the offer.
Photo credits:Jakub Hałun (CC BY 4.0)
Quick answer
Looking for French classes in Zurich? Alliance Française de Zurich offers the evening course: 1h30 a week at 18:15 (Monday to Thursday depending on your level), from A1 to C2, in groups of 3 to 8 with native French teachers. CHF 600.– a session of 12 hours; you can join a running session, pro rata. For a diploma: DELF–DALF preparation on Saturday morning, 10:00–13:00, 7 weeks, CHF 1’040.–, materials included. In Switzerland the language course is part of the au pair stay: agree with your au pair who pays for it.
Prices and formats confirmed with the school’s management on 5 November 2026.
Alliance Française de Zurich, since 1889
Alliance Française de Zurich is a Swiss non-profit association, one of the oldest Alliances in the world. Its French school has taught in Zurich for over 60 years, and its cultural centre has run for more than 130 years.
- A Swiss non-profit association, founded in 1889.
- A French school in Zurich for over 60 years.
- A cultural centre and library for more than 130 years.
Photo credits:User:Iwouldstay (CC BY-SA 3.0)
History
Founded in 1889
One of the oldest Alliances in the world, a Swiss non-profit association. Its French school has taught in Zurich for over 60 years.
Network
Alliance Française
Part of the worldwide network of the Fondation des Alliances Françaises: more than 800 Alliances in over 130 countries, says the school.
Teachers
100% native French
All teachers are native speakers of French, experienced and flexible, says the school.
Exams
DELF · DALF · TEF
DELF–DALF preparation centre, TEF exam centre and DAEFLE exam centre. Official DELF and DALF exams are taken in accredited centres in Zurich.
Results
100% pass rate
100% pass rate on DELF and DALF exams since 2022, according to the school.
Site
Merkurstrasse 34
CH-8032 Zurich, close to Kreuzplatz and Stadelhofen.
“In Zurich, make the most of your au pair experience while turning French into your greatest asset!”
Culture, the lake and the city
Learning French here is more than a class: the Alliance has its cultural centre and its library, and Zurich does the rest, with its lake, its old town and its mountain a short train ride away.
- Mon–Thu evenings, 18:15–19:45 1h30 of French a week
- 3–8 people in a group Three to eight people per evening class
- A1 → C2 Levels, with a level test
- Sat 10:00–13:00 DELF–DALF preparation
Photo credits:Chilimaid (CC BY-SA 4.0),Shane Global (CC BY 2.0)
The Fondation des Alliances Françaises network, DELF–DALF preparation, a TEF exam centre and the DAEFLE exam centre, according to the school’s website. Figures confirmed with the school on 5 November 2026. Official premises: Merkurstrasse 34, near Kreuzplatz and Stadelhofen.
Why the evening, and why Saturday morning
A host family counts on an au pair around the school day. The evening class starts when the children are home and the parents are back, and the Saturday course, for a diploma, never touches a weekday.
Evenings fit childcare
Class starts at 18:15, after the school day and the children’s afternoon. The family is home and you are free to go, and you are back after 19:45.
Saturday morning for a diploma
DELF–DALF preparation runs on Saturdays, 10:00–13:00: seven weeks, no weekday daytime. Check it fits your days off in the contract.
Small groups, native teachers
Three to eight people in an evening class, three to six in diploma prep. You speak a lot, and every teacher is a native speaker of French.
- 7:00 School, breakfast
- 10:00 Free study, a walk by the lake
- 13:00 After school: snack, homework
- 18:15–19:45 Class
- 20:00 Back home: dinner, free evening
- 8:00 Free, a late breakfast
- 10:00–13:00 DELF–DALF preparation
- 13:00 Lunch
- 14:00 Weekend with the family: the lake, the Uetliberg, the zoo
Evening class, Monday and Thursday, 18:15–19:45
Care after school, class twice a week: here, two evenings. A level can be on Tuesday or Wednesday instead.
Saturday morning, 10:00–13:00
Care as usual on weekdays. The Saturday class takes the morning of a weekend day: check it fits your days off.
Good to knowIllustrative timetables. Hours are fixed with the host family in the au pair contract. Class time is not childcare time, and the school’s levels are on different weekdays: check the calendar.
Before class: the lake at Seefeld
The school is close to Seefeld, so a late afternoon by the lake fits easily before an 18:15 class.
Photo credits:Roland zh (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Your French, from A1 to C2
From a first question at the tram stop to a conversation at the opera. Next to each level, a sentence you could really say in Zurich, and the evening it is taught.
At the Kreuzplatz tram stop
« Bonjour ! C’est bien l’arrêt pour aller au lac ? »
Hello! Is this the right stop for the lake?
Everyday words, simple requests
A1.0: Thu 18:15 · A1.2: Mon 16:15
A Saturday in town, with the children
« On prend le tram jusqu’à la Bahnhofstrasse, puis on achète des chaussons. »
We’ll take the tram to the Bahnhofstrasse, then buy slippers.
Routine tasks, direct exchanges
A2.1, A2.2: Mon 18:15
At the lake bath, in summer
« J’ai oublié les serviettes, mais on peut les louer à l’entrée, non ? »
I forgot the towels, but we can rent some at the entrance, can’t we?
Most situations of daily life
B1.1: Tue 18:15 (or Thu 16:15)
On the Limmat, with the Grossmünster
« Zwingli prêchait au Grossmünster dès 1519 : je commence à comprendre pourquoi la ville a basculé si tôt. »
Zwingli preached at the Grossmünster from 1519: I’m starting to see why the city turned so early.
Explain and defend a point of view
B2.0: Tue 18:15 · B2.1: Wed or Thu 18:15
A Saturday with the host family
« Si le föhn se lève, on montera à l’Uetliberg samedi, à moins que les enfants ne préfèrent le lac. »
If the föhn picks up, we’ll go up the Uetliberg on Saturday, unless the children prefer the lake.
Express yourself fluently, with nuance
C1.1: Wed 18:15 · C1.2: Mon 18:15
At the opera, with the parents
« À l’entracte, j’ai pu nuancer mon avis sur la mise en scène : cela m’aurait été impossible il y a un an. »
At the interval I could nuance my view of the staging: impossible a year ago.
Master the language, with its subtleties
On request
Levels from the Common European Framework. Right column: the CEFR descriptor of each level and the slot in the school’s calendar for October 2026 to April 2027. A level test decides your group. The French sentences are examples written by AuPair Connect, not the school’s material, and the school can correct them.
One evening a week, six levels
Each level has its own evening, from Monday to Thursday, at 18:15 for most of them. Take the evening that fits your family’s week.
| A1 Beginner | A2 Elementary | B1 Intermediate | B2 Independent | C1 Advanced | C2 Proficient | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evening slot | Thu 18:15 (A1.0) Mon 16:15 (A1.2) | Mon 18:15 (A2.1, A2.2) Fri 12:15 (conversation) | Tue 18:15 (B1.1, conversation) Thu 16:15 (B1.1) | Tue 18:15 (B2.0) Wed or Thu 18:15 (B2.1) | Wed 18:15 (C1.1) Mon 18:15 (C1.2) | On request |
| Saturday preparation | – | – | DELF B1 | DELF B2 | DALF C1 | DALF C2 |
| For you if… | You know a few words. | You want to talk with the family. | You want to chat with other parents. | You want to argue and prepare a diploma. | You are fluent and want nuance. | You want to master the nuances. |
The slot depends on the level and the school’s October 2026 to April 2027 calendar. A level test confirms the group.
What the courses cost
CHF 600.– for an evening session of 12 hours, or CHF 1’040.– for 21 hours of Saturday preparation, materials included. These are the school’s prices in Swiss francs.
Evening session
CHF 600.–
CHF 50 an hour
Saturday DELF–DALF prep
CHF 1’040.–
Materials included
Join a running session
Pro rata
Up to 3rd class max.
Registration fee
CHF 0
Annual membership: discount
Example: one evening session plus one Saturday prep course adds up to CHF 1’640.–
Prices confirmed with the school on 5 November 2026. No registration fee. Annual membership grants a price discount. Coursebooks cost CHF 60 in total. This partnership does not change what you pay the school.
Want an official level?
The DELF and the DALF are official French diplomas, valid for life. They are not an au pair requirement, but the school prepares for them on Saturday mornings, in a small group, over seven weeks.
DELF
Official diplomas of the French Ministry of Education, valid for life. Preparation for B1 or B2, on Saturday mornings.
DALF
The advanced diplomas, prepared at C1 level (and C2 on request), on Saturday mornings.
- 7 Saturdays
- 21 hours: three hours of 60 minutes, 10:00–13:00.
- Groups of 3 to 6
- Confirmed from 3 participants.
- Materials included
- Teaching materials for the preparation are provided.
- Exam
- Official exams are taken in accredited partner examination centres in Zurich.
From the school’s DELF–DALF department, confirmed on 5 November 2026. The Saturday morning preparation covers all exam parts (oral and written comprehension/expression). Exams are sat in accredited partner centres in Zurich. Minimum level: B1/B2 for DELF, C1/C2 for DALF.
Before you pay
Evening session: CHF 600.–
12 hours of 60 minutes. You can join a session already running (up to 3rd class), at a pro rata price.
Saturday preparation: CHF 1’040.–
21 hours, materials included. The course is confirmed from 3 participants, with at most 6. Exam fees are separate.
The official exams
DELF and DALF exams take place in accredited partner centres in Zurich.
Easter
No class on Friday 26 March (A2 conversation) and Monday 29 March (Monday groups).
Coursebooks
The 2 books cost CHF 60 in total (not included in the CHF 600 course fee).
Cancellation and refunds
A valid reason is required, but the school is flexible.
Summary of the school’s calendar and terms, which prevail. Checked on 5 November 2026.
Saturday afternoon, after the prep
Three hours of prep in the morning, then the afternoon belongs to the family: the Limmat, the quays and the lake are all in the centre.
Photo credits:Roland zh (CC BY-SA 3.0)
A word on the Swiss rules, before the first class
In Switzerland, an au pair stay is a cultural exchange with a language course built in. The cost of that course is a matter for the contract between you and your host family, before you enrol.
- Au pair contract You and your family sign a written au pair contract before you arrive. It sets the hours and free time, and it should cover the language course.
- Permit Non-EU/EFTA au pairs need a cantonal residence permit and a visa, placed through a recognised organisation. EU/EFTA nationals have lighter formalities.
- Who pays the course Under cantonal guidelines in Switzerland, the host family covers the cost of the language course for the au pair.
- Enrolment certificate The school issues an enrolment certificate for the cantonal residence permit upon request.
Keep in mindCantonal guidelines in Switzerland put the course cost on the host family. An enrolment certificate is issued by the school for the residence permit upon request. Checked on 5 November 2026. A course does not grant a permit: cantonal authorities decide.
Three start weeks a year, and Saturdays for the diploma
The evening courses start three times in the school year. The Saturday preparation runs in three series of seven weeks.
Published dates Sessions confirmed with the school
Autumn 2026
26 Oct–29 Oct
CHF 600.–
Winter 2027
4 Jan–7 Jan
CHF 600.–
Spring 2027
1 Mar–4 Mar
CHF 600.–
Choose your arrival
-
You arrive in Jan 2027
- Start at the school
- Winter session of evening classes: week of 4 Jan to week of 22 Feb 2027 (8 weeks, 12 h, CHF 600.–).
- Good to know
- Saturday DELF–DALF prep runs from Sat 30 Jan to Sat 13 Mar 2027 (7 weeks, 21 h, CHF 1’040.–).
-
You arrive in Mar–Apr 2027
- Start at the school
- Spring session: Mon 1 to Thu 4 Mar 2027. No class on Fri 26 Mar or Mon 29 Mar (Easter).
- Good to know
- Arriving after the start? You can join a running session up to the 3rd class, pro rata.
-
You arrive in Aug & Oct
- Start at the school
- Autumn sessions: always starts on the Monday after 15 August, and the next session on the last Monday of October (8 weeks each).
- Good to know
- The classic start for an au pair year in Switzerland: join at the start or enter pro rata.
- Reception : Monday to Thursday 13:30–18:00.
- Library : Tuesday 15:00–18:00, Saturday 10:00–14:00.
Session starts: autumn starts the Monday after 15 August; next session starts the last Monday of October (8 weeks each). Winter session: week of 4 Jan to week of 22 Feb 2027. Saturday DELF–DALF prep: 30 Jan to 13 Mar 2027. Confirmed on 5 November 2026.
How to enrol
- Agree the evening with the family Classes are 1h30 a week at 18:15, Monday to Thursday depending on your level. Show your host family the timetable before you enrol.
- Ask for a level test or a trial class The school offers a level test and a trial class on request, so that you start in the right group.
- Write to the school Enrolment and information: [email protected]. The school also answers on [email protected] and +41 (0)44 261 93 06.
- Join a session, even a running one Each session has three start dates a year. If you arrive later, you can join a session already running, at a pro rata price.
Contact and access
Alliance Française de Zurich — Merkurstrasse 34, CH-8032 Zurich
Director: Bernard Cazaban
Phone: +41 (0)44 261 93 06
Stops: Kreuzplatz, Sprecherstrasse, Stadelhofen (close to Seefeld).
Zurich, after class
Four places for a free Saturday or a light evening. They show the city and its surroundings, not the school.
Photo credits:Roland zh (CC BY-SA 3.0),Roland zh (CC BY-SA 3.0),Tschubby (CC BY-SA 3.0),Oleg Yunakov (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Why AuPair Connect recommends this school
- Evening classes of 1h30 at 18:15 and a Saturday-morning DELF–DALF preparation, which fit around the children’s day.
- Small groups of 3 to 8, native French teachers, and levels from A1 to C2 with a level test on request.
- An Alliance Française founded in 1889, in the worldwide network, with DELF–DALF preparation and a TEF exam centre.
- Clear prices: CHF 600.– for an evening session, CHF 1’040.– for 21 hours of diploma prep. We add nothing and invent no au pair rate.
Partnership disclosure: AuPair Connect and Alliance Française de Zurich are partners. The “Recommended Partner” badge is provided to the school for its website. This page is editorial: prices, dates and terms are those published by the school and may change. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
Which course suits an au pair in Zurich?
The evening course: 1h30 a week at 18:15, Monday to Thursday depending on your level, from A1 to C2, in groups of 3 to 8. To prepare a diploma, the Saturday course, 10:00–13:00, for 7 weeks. These are the two formats this page recommends: they leave the children’s weekday hours alone.
Are there classes in the daytime?
Yes: daytime courses and private lessons are available on request (see the online timetable). However, evening classes at 18:15 remain the recommended format to protect childcare hours.
How much does it cost?
CHF 600.– for an evening session of 12 hours, or CHF 1’040.– for the 21-hour Saturday preparation, teaching materials included. Coursebooks for the evening class cost CHF 60 in total. There is no registration fee.
Can I join a session that has already started?
Yes, evening courses can be joined while running, up to the 3rd class (meaning for at least the last 5 classes), with price adjusted pro rata.
Who pays for the course, me or my host family?
In Switzerland the language course is part of an au pair stay. Under cantonal directives, the host family covers its cost, which is formalized in the au pair contract before you enrol.
Do I need a DELF or a DALF?
No: a diploma is a bonus, not an au pair requirement. If you want one, the preparation asks for level B1 or B2 (DELF) or C1 or C2 (DALF), and you register for the exam separately.
How many hours can I work if I study?
The hours are set in the au pair contract, with enough free time for the course. Class time is not childcare time: build the week with your family before you enrol, and check that a Saturday class fits your days off.
Does the school issue a certificate for the residence permit?
Yes: the school issues an enrolment certificate for the cantonal residence permit dossier upon request.
Swiss rules: federal summary in our country sheet; cantonal guidelines of Schwyz and Obwalden; Stadt Zürich, “Au-pairs” (2014). Checked on 5 November 2026.
Ready for your first evening?
Timetables, current prices and the level test are on the Alliance Française de Zurich website.
See the French school on the Alliance Française de Zurich website ↗Keep going
Photos: Grossmünster and Limmat, Jakub Hałun (CC BY 4.0); the Limmat from the Lindenhof, Roland zh (CC BY-SA 3.0); the lake basin from above, Roland zh (CC BY-SA 3.0); Zurich from above, Chilimaid (CC BY-SA 4.0); Kreuzplatz, Iwouldstay (CC BY-SA 3.0). Full credits above.