My magical week in Switzerland at Institut Villa Pierrefeu that included learning table manners, how to master small talk, and tips on how to look more put together.

Institut Villa Pierrefeu

In 2018, my friend Kathy sent me a link to a New Yorker article about the last remaining etiquette school in Switzerland called Institut Villa Pierrefeu (IVP). We both love afternoon tea and everything that goes with it, including etiquette, so we decided that one day, if we had the resources and the time, we would go. I had the school’s site bookmarked for years.

Fast forward to April 2024, and we made it to IVP! I flew in from New York and Kathy flew all the way from Hawaii and we met up at Geneva airport in Switzerland.

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We arrived on Sunday early afternoon and we took a train from the airport to Montreux, which was an hour and a half ride. The views were glorious since it took us right along Lake Geneva. From Montreux train station, we took a 20 minute taxi ride to Glion, a village in Montreux that was up in the mountains.

As soon as our taxi pulled up to the main entrance, we were greeted warmly by Irene, an IVP teacher. I expected the teachers to be formal and cold, but it turned out to be the exact opposite. This was my first lesson in etiquette. Etiquette isn’t all about using the right fork or knife, it’s about being welcoming and mindful of others.

We were shown around the school, including where we were to go for breakfast every morning, and to our living quarters for the week.

Accommodations

You can choose to stay at the school, which is in a small building near the main building that’s only for student lodging, or off site. There are options to choose a private room or a shared room.

Kathy and I both chose private rooms and it turned out we were sharing the first floor of the building, which had 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a common room that had a small refrigerator, kettle, and snacks.

I had heard that the school was a bit remote, so we stopped by a grocery store in Montreux to get some packaged food for dinner before we got in the taxi. And thank goodness since we were so tired from traveling all day. We ate our food in the common room then went off to rest up for the next day.

The School Day

We were there to attend a week-long course on the European Art of Dining.

On Monday, we woke up bright and early and walked over to the main building for breakfast. It was a continental breakfast with hard boiled eggs, cold cuts, cheese, bread, cereals, yogurt, and coffee.

Here’s how each day went:

7:45AM – 8:15AM Breakfast
8:30AM – 10AM Class
10AM – 10:45AM Tea/Coffee Break
10:45AM – 12:15PM Class
12:30PM – 2PM Lunch at the fine dining restaurant in the hotel next door
2PM – 3PM Tea/Coffee Break
3PM – 4:30PM Class

We learned everything from table manners, formal table settings, dress codes, and small talk, to pairing food with wine, invitations, and thank you notes. I was exhausted at the end of each day.

This is me in the table setting class. We were each given a different menu and we had to set the table according to what was on it.

Everything was in English and the majority of what we learned was taught by Irene and MCC, two teachers who have been with the school for decades. (They were amazing.)

One thing to note is that they don’t allow use of phones in class and you’re not to post on social media during the week that you’re at the school.

In our 5 day intensive course, there were 11 students in total, from all over the world. There was a wide age range and from all different professions from etiquette coaches to lawyers. Because we spent every single minute together, all day, we all quickly got to know each other.

Every day, we had lunch as a group at the fine dining restaurant in the hotel next to the school. We were there to practice our table manners, applying what we had learned. Our teachers Irene and MCC, would walk around and gently correct any of our mistakes.

Dinners aren’t included in the cost, and we were left to do what we wanted. We ate as a group twice, once for fondue, and another at a hotel in Montreux. Kathy and I ate at a nearby Chinese restaurant one night and in the common room another night since we were so tired.

The Last Day

On Friday, the last day of the course, the school day ended at noon. We had classes in the morning then they had a little party for us, complete with a gorgeous tea sandwich tower. We were given our certificates and we each took a photo with the teachers, including Madame Néri, the principal of IVP.

The Cost

The total cost for tuition and lodging at the school was around $6500 with an early bird discount for paying 3 months before classes started. I paid via bank transfer since paying with a credit card would add on a surcharge.

This cost does not include airfare or any dinners.

I did add on a one-on-one session, on deportment for an additional $450.

Deportment Session

Deportment is how you look and present yourself. I was very interested in this since I wanted to do more with YouTube and Instagram where I would be in the videos.

That one extra session was an eye-opener in that it helped me to figure out how to look more put together. Katerina, my teacher for the private one-on-one session, gave me amazing tips like how accessories are the key factor in pulling a look together. I never wear accessories, and now I know I need to.

Another one of her tips was to rub cuticle oil on my nails so they look neat without needing a manicure, before I shoot a video that involves showing my hands.

Worth It?

The course really did give me more confidence and I do feel comfortable in any social or dining situation now. I don’t second guess if I’m using the right fork to eat something at a fine dining restaurant since I know for a fact I’m doing it right.

For me, it was totally worth it.

IVP runs a 6 week summer program on International Etiquette and Protocol and my goal is to attend that session one day. I’ve got it bookmarked.