APPLICATION
Here’s what you need to respond to all of the questions on the application form :
- all information on your passport or identity card,
- the contact information for your church and pastor,
- the contact information for the person to notify in case of an emergency,
- a scanned passport photo.
CONDITIONS
For applying to the DEFI Bible School:
- be between the ages of 18-30,
- have a decent working knowledge of the french language (minimum of level B1),
- have a pastoral reference and another reference from someone other than a family member,
- If you plan on staying longer than 3 months (90 days), it is imperative that you have a french long-stay visa (you should count on around 3 months to obtain your visa).
QUESTIONS
Here we have responded to most of the frequently asked questions.
If you need more information/details or if you wish to ask other questions, do not hesitate to contact us at : contact us / nous contacter.
DEFI 6-MONTHS
2024- 2025- Complet Program : DÉFI FALL + WINTER
- Biblical Teaching at Champfleuri
- Outdoor Activities
- Service
- (4900 € in 2025-2026)
DEFI FALL
2024- Biblical teaching at Champfleuri
- Outdoor activities and mountain sports in the Grenoble area
- Short-term mission/service project with a partners
- (2600€ in Fall 2025)
DEFI WINTER
2025- Biblical teaching at Champfleuri
- Winter sports (the nearest ski station is 15 kilometers away from the center: Les 7 Laux)
- One week working as a team for a teen ski camp
- (2600€ in Winter 2026)
DEFI LEAD
July & August 2026- [PURE ADVENTURE] 3 weeks in the mountains without amenities or any technology
- Bible teaching in the outdoors
- Athletic, relational and spiritual challenges
FRENCH ADMINISTRATION
Do I need medical insurance coverage?
Yes, you need medical insurance from your home country that covers you while in France. If you are European, you should get a European insurance card before arriving in France.
Do I need a visa?
A visa is mandatory, if you are planning on being in the EUmore than 90 day. If this is the case, you MUST get a long-stay visa (NOT a student visa). Most will be more willing to issue a long-stay visa and not a student visa because DEFI is not part of the French university system. Contact us for more information concerning which visa to ask for.
IMPORTANT: The process for obtaining a visa can take from 2 to 4 months. It is imperative that you start the procedure as quickly as possible.
To find the consulate that is closest to you (if you are not European): www.ambafrance-us.org or www.ambafrance-ca.org.
THE COST OF THE PROGRAM
What is included in the price of the program?
Includes: lodging, all meals, internet, study guides/books used during the course.
Does not include: the price of the visa (around 150 American dollars), health insurance, the price of the trip to come, cost of doing laundry.
How can I pay?
You can pay for the DEFI Bible School in different way: cash (local ATM is 5 minutes from the center, transferwise (on-line wire transfer) or by french check made out to “Torchbearers France” – no non-french checks!
How can I finance the cost of the school?
PREPARING FOR DEFI
How to get to Champfleuri?
If you arrive by plan, the closest airports are:
- Lyon, France (LYS)
- Geneva, Switzerland (GVA)
To get from the airport to Champfleuri:
- From Lyon airport: there are RT shuttle buses between Lyon and the Grenoble train station almost every hour (https://www.lyonaeroports.com/acces-transports/navette-bus/flixbus-grenoble)
- From Geneva: 6 Shuttle buses per day that stop at Crolles “le Rafour” (http://www.aerocar.fr/en/)
A member of the DEFI team will pick you up in Grenoble or Crolles depending on where you come from. Please let us know when and where you will be arriving as soon as you have bought your tickets.
If you arrive by train:
- The nearest train station is Brignoud (10 minutes by car from Champfleuri), but it is also possible to arrive at the Grenoble train station (40 minutes by car). Please let us know when and where you will be arriving as soon as you have bought your tickets.
If you arrive by car, our address is :
183 chemin de la mairie
38190 Le Champ près Froges
GPS coordinates: 45.278463, 5.939112
What is the weather like? What clothes should I bring?
The weather at Champfleuri is relatively temperate. Le centre is situated at 400 meters above sea level. Temperatures can vary and fluctuate quite a bit. In Winter the temperatures can drop as low as -5°C and it can snow at the center. We advise you to bring warm clothes for inside and outside that are easy to clean and that can be put in the dryer. We do many mountain sports in our area. Don’t forget to take comfortable clothes and shoes for hiking, sports and manual tasks that can get dirty and be cleaned easily. Don’t hesitate to bring nice clothes for the end of term parties!
Can I bring my bike/skis/snowboard?
Yes, we are surrounded by mountains and the nearest ski station is 15 KM from the center! You can also rent ski material directly from the station (this can often times be cheaper than paying to bring it with on the plane).
SCHOOL LIFE
Is alcohol allowed?
Students are not allowed to consume alcohol while at DEFI. However, there may be certain groups or people who drink wine during meals served at Champfleuri.
Are pets allowed?
No, pets are not allowed at Champfleuri. You will have to make do with the cows in the nearby fields.
Where can I do my laundry?
You can do you laundry in the machines located in Champfleuri’s laundry room for 3 euros/load (dryer included).
Can I have visitors?
Yes, but you will need to inform the DEFI staff. It is possible for your visitors to sleep at Champfleuri if there are rooms available during their visit.
What does a typical day look like?
Here’s the schedule for a typical day that you could have at DEFI:
- 7:30 Personal devotions
- 8:00 Breakfast
- 8:54 Worship and group devotions
- 9:15 Class
- 12:30 Lunch
- 2:00 Work tasks or study time
- 4:00 Free time
- 5:00 Discipleship
- 6:30 Dinner
- 8:00 Study time, free time, or evening activities
Can I receive mail or packages?
Yes! The post office and other mail services deliver at Champfleuri. Here’s our address:
Champfleuri, 183 Chemin de la Mairie
38190 Le Champ près Froges
FRANCE
OTHER SUBJECTS
If I do DEFI during my gap year, can I sign up for university afterward?
YES !
What is the average student age?
In the past 4 years, the average student age is between 20 and 23 years.