Institute Villa Pierrefeu (for girls)

Video about the school

Dates, 2026:
21 June – 31 July (6 weeks),
21 June – 10 July, 12 July – 31 July (3 weeks).

This women's school was founded in 1965 by Madame Dorette Failleettaz, mother of the current director. The main idea behind the school is to provide students with academic knowledge and help them acquire important skills and abilities that are useful in their personal and professional lives. It is the only school in Europe that teaches European etiquette and protocol, providing not only theory but also practice at the most profound level. The Institut Villa Pierrefue school is located on a high hill on the shores of Lake Geneva. All the windows of the school offer breathtaking views of extraordinary beauty. It is a very small boutique school, where the wives of African ministers, Arab princesses and businesswomen from Asian countries come in the summer. Sometimes grandmothers come with their granddaughters or mothers with their daughters.

As a rule, all students already have a secondary education, and many have already completed A-level, Baccalaureate, Abitur programmes and are about to start (or have already completed) their university studies. The curricula are designed to not only improve or acquire new language skills and master the norms of international etiquette and protocol, but also to deeply understand the richness of the cultural heritage that surrounds us.

The course is essential for any young lady who, through work or study, has dealings at a high level with officials, business people, clients or guests from different cultures.

Key factors

• Small class sizes guarantee the highest quality of teaching and personal attention.
• The course is taught in English.
• The course will help young women feel comfortable in international social and business settings and allow them to focus on their goals rather than worrying about costly cultural mistakes or etiquette ‘blunders’.
• The school is accredited by the Association of Private Schools of the Canton of Vaud, the Swiss Federation of Private Schools, and is a member of the Swiss Boarding School Group.

Facilities

The school is a complex of stylish buildings, picturesquely located in the town of Glion, on a hillside with a wonderful view of Montreux and Lake Geneva. The school building has a fitness centre, sauna, jacuzzi and heated outdoor swimming pool at the students' disposal. Aerobics, stretching and yoga classes are available. Tennis courts are a two-minute walk away. On Lake Geneva, students can enjoy water skiing, surfing and sailing. The school has its own boat. Horse riding enthusiasts are always welcome at the dressage school.

Programme

The school offers two study options:

• Certificate programme (28 lessons per week)
• Diploma programme (36 lessons per week)

To successfully complete the programme, students must obtain a minimum of 70% in theoretical tests and practical exams.

The main course includes compulsory theoretical and practical classes in language, etiquette and protocol, international manners, table setting, cooking, home economics, as well as additional programmes on the history of decorative styles, art history and art studies, floristry and decorative table setting. Classes are interactive, with brainstorming sessions, role-playing games, and question-and-answer seminars.

Course topics:

• European etiquette (everyday etiquette, business correspondence, dress code, table manners, floral art and table setting, international tea and coffee culture, home maintenance)
• International etiquette (history and culture, greetings, business cards, dress codes, food and entertainment, dos and don'ts in conversation, gifts and how to give them properly, cultural surprises)
• Business etiquette
• Protocol (official and diplomatic)
• Self-development
• Exam preparation.

Accommodation and meals

Accommodation in a residence. The school offers double and triple rooms with bathrooms. It is possible to stay in a single room with a shower and toilet shared by several people. Rooms are cleaned and towels are changed daily. If a girl wants to live in a single room with her own bathroom, accommodation is offered at the Victoria Hotel, next to the school.

Meals (breakfast and lunch) are provided from Monday to Friday. For dinner, students go to restaurants in the city where they can try local cuisine. The residence has a rice cooker, microwave and refrigerator, so students can prepare their own meals and hot drinks.

Sports

During their studies at the school, all students have the opportunity to participate in various sports: fitness, tennis, golf, swimming, horse riding, water skiing, windsurfing, skiing and snowboarding.

Additional classes

The school's unique programmes, taught by experts in the field:

Effective communication: public speaking, secrets of influence, communication in difficult situations, body language, developing self-confidence (90 minutes per week).

Wine science: studying grape varieties, wine production, tasting rules, wine storage and serving (90 minutes per week).

French language: individual lessons with a teacher. Lessons for both beginners and advanced students (90 minutes per week).

Communicating with the media: aggressive journalists, provocative questions, bright lights and noise can destabilise even the calmest person. How can you prepare? What are the universal recommendations? What should be avoided at all costs? And most importantly, how can you deal with journalists in a way that serves both their interests and yours?

For an additional fee, you can attend an individual training session (60 minutes) where you will take part in a role-play to practise your media communication skills. The girls will encounter a ‘biased and aggressive journalist’ who will ask questions about a crisis situation. Although they will feel uncomfortable, they will need to remain calm in order to get their message across and avoid embarrassing mistakes. The girls will then receive feedback: they will be told about their strengths and what they can improve on.

Leadership: how to get people to follow you. Today, this is a highly sought-after skill in companies and organisations. It is expected not only of managers, but also of employees at all levels and in all positions. What constitutes good leadership? Why do leaders fail?

For an additional fee, you can attend an individual training session (60 minutes), where you will take part in a role-play to practise interviewing with a ‘recruiter’ who expects the girls to demonstrate their leadership qualities. The girls will then receive feedback: they will be told about their strengths and what they can improve on.

Approximate schedule for the day

7:30 - Breakfast
8:30 - Main course
10:15 - Main course
12:00 - Table etiquette
13:15 - Lunch
14:15 - Etiquette exams
16:00 - Additional classes
17:45 - Additional classes
20:00 - Effective Communication class (Wednesdays)

Cost, 2025

Tuition:

With certificate - CHF 8,700 for a 3-week course, CHF 17,400 for a 6-week course
With diploma - CHF 10,500 for a 3-week course, CHF 21,000 for a 3-week course

Accommodation:

For a 3-week course:
CHF 2,200 - in a residence in a triple room.
CHF 3,200 - in a residence in a single room with shared bathroom.
CHF 4,840 - at the Victoria Hotel in a single room with private bathroom.

For a 6-week course:
CHF 4,400 - in a residence in a triple room.
CHF 6,400 - in a residence in a single room with shared bathroom.
CHF 9,680 - at the Victoria Hotel in a single room with private bathroom.

Course booking is free of charge.

Additional fees

• Textbooks - CHF 450
• Exam for certificate/diploma - CHF 1,200
• Effective Communication course - CHF 480 for a 3-week course, CHF 960 for a 6-week course
• Introduction to Wine Science course - CHF 480 for a 3-week course, CHF 960 for a 6-week course
• Individual French lessons - CHF 720 for a 3-week course, CHF 1,440 for a 6-week course
• Media training and leadership training - CHF 400
• Registration fee - CHF 600
• Deposit - CHF 1,200 for a 3-week course, CHF 2,400 for a 6-week course
• Tourist tax - CHF 140 for a 3-week course, CHF 280 for a 6-week course
• Airfare
• Visa 
• Insurance 
• Transfers to and from the airport
• Supervision during your child's stay abroad (optional)

HOW WE DIFFER FROM OTHER COMPANIES

• We have been operating since 1996.
• We select camps with a minimum number of Russian speakers.
• We only select camps with good conditions 
• We have personally inspected almost all of the schools we offer 
• We do not work with the mass market, only camps for discerning clients
• Our 24/7 telephone line is always open 
• Why our clients value us