Permaculture courses in Europe, taught in English
When I did my PDC in 2011, I had no idea there was a farm in Brittany where I could study in English. I eventually found it, it just took time. I wrote this page so that finding an English-language PDC in continental Europe takes you less than five minutes, not five months.
Why an English-language PDC in continental Europe matters
Most permaculture courses in France, Germany, and Scandinavia are taught in the national language. That is entirely appropriate for most students. But for English-speakers, whether UK expats in Europe, Irish students, Dutch or Scandinavian learners who are comfortable in English, or anyone who simply does not yet have the language fluency for a full design course in French or German, the options narrow quickly.
At the time of writing, there are fewer than ten schools in continental Europe running an accredited, English-language PDC on a regular basis. Afrinoon is one of them.
What that means practically: you do not need to speak French to study here. The teaching, the design project, the discussions, and the informal conversations at lunch are all in English. The farm is in France, the accreditation is British, and the credential you leave with is recognised across both.
How the PDC certificate is recognised across Europe
The Permaculture Design Course at Afrinoon is certified by the Permaculture Association (UK), the oldest and most established permaculture accreditation body in Europe. PA UK certification is the standard against which most other European PDC programmes are benchmarked.
Karen Noon also holds EuPN Assured Teacher status. The European Permaculture Network is the continent-wide body that maintains a directory of verified permaculture teachers and courses. EuPN Assured Teacher status signals that Karen’s teaching has been reviewed and approved by the network.
In practice: a PA UK-certified PDC is accepted as the foundational credential for Permaculture Diploma study in the UK, Ireland, and most European permaculture networks. If you are planning to continue to the Diploma after your PDC, a PA UK-certified course is the correct starting point.
Karen’s PA UK profile is at permaculture.org.uk/user/karen-noon and her EuPN profile at permaculture-network.eu/permaculturist/karen-noon.
Brittany: a practical base for European students
Getting here
Brittany is closer to London than Bordeaux is. The ferry from Portsmouth or Plymouth to Saint-Malo or Roscoff takes an overnight crossing with Brittany Ferries — many students treat it as part of the experience.
From Paris, the TGV to Lorient (the closest station to the farm) takes about 3h 30m, and Lorient is a 30-minute drive to Priziac. If you prefer a faster train, the TGV reaches Rennes in 1h 27m and Nantes in around 2 hours, but then it is a 1h 45m drive on to the farm — total journey time works out roughly the same either way. Vannes, on the Quimper TGV line, is a useful third option with a 45-minute drive.
Students from Ireland can take the Brittany Ferries Rosslare to Roscoff route.
Students from the Netherlands, Belgium, or northern Germany typically fly to Rennes or Nantes (around 1h 45m to 1h 50m drive on to the farm), or take the Eurostar to Paris and then the TGV south.
Travel at a glance
- Portsmouth or Plymouth
- Brittany Ferries → Saint-Malo or Roscoff, overnight crossing
- Paris → Lorient
- TGV Paris-Montparnasse (~3h 30m) + 30-min drive · ~4h total
- Paris → Rennes
- TGV Paris-Montparnasse (1h 27m) + 1h 45m drive · ~3h 30m total
- Paris → Nantes
- TGV Paris-Montparnasse (~2h) + 1h 50m drive · ~4h total
- Paris → Vannes
- TGV Paris-Montparnasse + 45-min drive (depends on stops)
- Ireland
- Brittany Ferries Rosslare → Roscoff, overnight crossing
- Netherlands / Belgium / Germany
- Fly to Rennes or Nantes + 1h 45m drive, or Eurostar + TGV
Travelling from outside the EU or UK
Several students have joined the PDC from North America, Australia, and beyond. The course is taught entirely in English, so language is not a barrier.
For entry requirements, visa rules, and Schengen area duration limits, please check with the French embassy or consulate in your country of residence before booking. We cannot provide immigration advice, but Karen is happy to provide a letter confirming your course enrolment if that helps your application.
If you are travelling from outside the Schengen area, it is worth enquiring early. Schengen short-stay rules allow up to 90 days within a 180-day rolling period, which is well within the two-week PDC duration. But rules change, and your own government’s guidance is the correct source.
Official French visa information is at france-visas.gouv.fr.
Ready to look at the course?
The full PDC details, dates, and pricing are on the PDC page. The two-day Introduction is the simpler first step if you have not done a permaculture course before.
An English-language PDC, on a working farm in continental Europe.
Get in touch about the July PDC, the part-time PDC, or come and visit us on an open day.
Priziac, Brittany, France+33 7 88 11 35 05·karen@afrinoonpermaculture.org