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News !

September 13-15th, 2013: Alumni Reunion - School Year 1990-1991 in London, United Kingdom.

If you are or know an alumni of IVP. Please use the following link to update your/their contact details.

IVP was described in a just published german book by famous author Wolfgang KOYDas one of the 33 things one should have done while in Switzerland.

Why Institut Villa Pierrefeu

With almost 60 years of experience, Institut Villa Pierrefeu is a traditional Finishing School of the type the world expects from Switzerland. Elegant, exclusive and charming, it will prepare you for a role in the business world and society, aiming to help you become more effective in multicultural environments and dealings.

We offer several Finishing programs:

1. 1.Summer Intensive International Etiquette & Protocol Courses (3 to 6 weeks, starting: June 16th or July 7th, 2013) for women over 18 years old.
   

1. ◦IVP Diploma (36 weekly hours of class) in IEP (International Etiquette & Protocol) courses.
   

2. ◦First Certificate or Higher Certificate (26 weekly hours of class) in IEP (International Etiquette & Protocol) courses.
   

3. ◦These are intensive programs of International Etiquette (covering 20 countries), Protocol, “Savoir-Vivre”, Business Etiquette, Table Service, Hostessing, Floral Art & Table Decoration. (Extra courses: Public Relations, Personal Presentation, Oenology, Home Management). Age: 18 to 40 (+).
   

4. ◦The full course is planned over 6 weeks but it is also possible to do 3 weeks in June or 3 weeks in July.
   

5. ◦Students can reside on campus ("residents") or stay at a hotel nearby and come as "day student".
   

2. 2.Autumn Intensive Etiquette Courses (5 days, starting October 21st or 28th, 2013) for men & women over 25 years old.
   

1. Offering a slightly different curriculum, the Winter courses are two very useful 5 day courses for anyone wanting to understand multi-cultural diversity and avoid making costly social or business mistakes. Attend both or only the one of your choice.
   

2. ◦Week 1 (21.10 - 25.10.2013) European "Art of Dining”: The traditions, evolution and present usage in the European “Art of dining”, with some practice as well as an introduction to Swiss customs and manners.
   

3. •European Table manners (French & English style)
   

4. •To apply or to supervise formal table service, settings and styles
   

5. •Refining your knowledge of cutlery
   

6. •Menu planning and structures, European menu sequences. Food and drink taboos
   

7. •Pairing food with wine
   

8. •Precedence and conversation at the table as well as small talk
   

9. •Types and styles of invitations
   

10. •Organizing European style receptions
    

11. •5 dining tutorials at lunch
    

12. •After dinner coffee
    

13. •Swiss customs and etiquette
    

14. ◦Week 2 (28.10 - 01.11.2013) Exploring Cultural Differences: To give you a detailed overview of international customs and etiquette.
    Very useful for anyone wanting to understand multicultural diversity.
    

15. •International communications: comparing cultures
    

16. •European, Asian, Latin American and Middle Eastern customs including:

    Greetings, introductions and forms of address

    Do’s and don’ts in conversation

    Do’s and don’ts in giving gifts and flowers

    Dress codes
    

17. •International dining skills (mainly non-European as European dining skills are covered in detail in week 1 with 5 practice meals)
    

18. For these courses, board and lodging is at the Hotel Victoria, a 4 star "Relais et Châteaux", 5 minutes from the school.
    

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3. 3.IVP Consultant Week only for Alumni (November 2013).
   

1. This one week course is only for Alumni who have successfully completed one of the IVP Higher Certificates or Diplomas and wish to become a "Certified IVP Silver or Gold Consultant".
   

2. ◦The IVP (Institut Villa Pierrefeu) "International Etiquette and Protocol Diploma" and the "IVP Diploma in Finishing" are obtained after completing a program consisting of classes in Etiquette (including Table Service, Hostessing, Floral Art & Table Decoration) as well as in Basic Diplomatic Protocol, Business Etiquette, International “Savoir-Vivre” of 20 different countries and after having passed numerous theory tests and practical exams with an overall average of 70%.
   

3. ◦To qualify as an IVP Gold Consultant, candidates must have obtained an average of at least 80% in their Diploma exams and attended an additional one week course. They also have to return to IVP every three years for a Refresher course to update and expand their knowledge of International Etiquette & Protocol.
   

4. ◦There are IVP Consultants in Australia, France, Guatemala, India, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria and Portugal. Please contact IVP if you are interested in benefiting from their expertise.
   

4. 4.Winter Intensive Etiquette Courses (5 days, starting January 13th or 20th, 2014) for men & women over 25 years old.
   

1. Offering a slightly different curriculum, the Winter courses are two very useful 5 day courses for anyone wanting to understand multi-cultural diversity and avoid making costly social or business mistakes. Attend both or only the one of your choice.
   

2. ◦Week 1 (13.01 - 17.01.2014) European "Art of Dining”: The traditions, evolution and present usage in the European “Art of dining”, with some practice as well as an introduction to Swiss customs and manners.
   

3. •European Table manners (French & English style)
   

4. •To apply or to supervise formal table service, settings and styles
   

5. •Refining your knowledge of cutlery
   

6. •Menu planning and structures, European menu sequences. Food and drink taboos
   

7. •Pairing food with wine
   

8. •Precedence and conversation at the table as well as small talk
   

9. •Types and styles of invitations
   

10. •Organizing European style receptions
    

11. •5 dining tutorials at lunch
    

12. •After dinner coffee
    

13. •Swiss customs and etiquette
    

14. ◦Week 2 (20.01 - 24.01.2014) Exploring Cultural Differences: To give you a detailed overview of international customs and etiquette.
    Very useful for anyone wanting to understand multicultural diversity.
    

15. •International communicatiosn: compairing cultures
    

16. •European, Asian, Latin American and Middle Eastern customs including:

    Greetings, introductions and forms of address

    Do’s and don’ts in conversation

    Do’s and don’ts in giving gifts and flowers

    Dress codes
    

17. •International dining skills (mainly non-European as European dining skills are covered in detail in week 1 with 5 practice meals)
    

18. For these courses, board and lodging is at the Hotel Victoria, a 4 star "Relais et Châteaux", 5 minutes from the school.
    

5. 5.School Year (February to May 2014) for men & women over 18 years old.
   

6. ◦To replace the traditional "School Year" programme, we are preparing a new Intensive Finishing Course for students over 18 years old and which will run from February to May. Fill in the "Contact Form" to stay updated.

6. 6.Seminars and special training on request.
   

1. ◦Examples of tailor-made programs given on our own campus
   

2. •Introduction to European manners and lifestyle to ladies from other cultures.
   

3. •Intensive course in the customs and mores of European, American, Middle Eastern and Asian cultures.
   

4. •Diplomatic usage and Protocol, International customs, European etiquette variations for VIP Ladies from an other culture.
   

5. ◦Examples of tailor-made seminars we have given in other countries
   

6. •In Japan: International customs one should know when traveling and when receiving foreign guests.
   

7. •In the Middle East: Diplomatic Protocol, Precedence, European table manners and reception styles, Dress definitions for formal invitations.
   

8. •Special private two to ten day courses, in their own residence, program chosen from our list of subjects, adapted to the client’s culture and lifestyle.
   

9. •One week course in an exclusive private school for girls, for the graduating students.
   

10. ◦To protect the privacy of our “students” we do not give their names.
    

11. In all these programs you will learn to apply theory in practice and develop your personal creativity whilst improving organizational skills.
    

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7. 7.IVP in the Media.



The Sunday Telegraph - Stella - Manners Reborn: Why it's all change in the last Swiss finishing-school. By Sophie Wilson/ London, December 2012. (Download Article) - (To Website).



Bespoke International Issue 32 (available in shops) - Finishing Schools: Fit and Finish. By Nadine Khalil / Beyrouth, May 2012. (Download Article) - (To Website).



Diva Dubaï - Etiquette and Education: A look inside Switzerland's leading Finishing School. By Mirna FARES / Dubaï, November 2011.(Download Article) - (To Website).



Time Magazine (US) - Switzerland's Last Finishing School. By William LEE ADAMS / Montreux, November 2011. (To Article).

Time Magazine (Europe) - Mind Your Manners: The Secrets of Switzerland's Last Traditional Finishing School. By William LEE ADAMS / Montreux, November 2011. (To Article).