Cours Florent

What Cours Florent does

Cours Florent is a private French drama school founded in 1967 by François Florent and currently directed by Simone Strickner, operating four owned campuses in Paris (37-39 avenue Jean Jaurès), Brussels, Montpellier, and Bordeaux. It is structured as an SAS and is a subsidiary of Galileo Global Education France (SAS, capital €102.7M). The school delivers professional acting training in theatre, cinema, musical theatre, and music, with instruction available in five languages (French, English, German, Spanish, and bilingual pathways) and a degree-awarding partnership with Regent's University London. Its product portfolio spans multi-year professional programmes (Acting in English, Schauspiel auf Deutsch, Comédie Musicale, Music Creation), an advanced Classe Libre track, a Direction et Pilotage de projets artistiques master's-level offering, short workshops (stages) of 16-50 hours, youth programmes (ages 3-17), and Cours Florent Executive corporate training.

The business model is tuition-driven across consumer segments: recurring programme fees for multi-year students, one-time workshop purchases through shop.coursflorent.fr, and B2B fees for corporate executive training. Admission to full programmes is selective (audition or workshop pathway), and the school funnels prospects through open days, educational fairs, and brochure downloads. Its go-to-market combines event-driven student recruitment with direct enterprise field sales for the Executive line. Cours Florent monetises its brand and industry network through the Bureau Casting office and the annual Prix Olga Horstig showcase, which connects graduating students with casting directors, agents, and producers, providing a structural pipeline from training to employment. Notable alumni include 45 César Award winners and internationally recognised actors such as Pierre Niney, Isabelle Adjani, Noémie Merlant, Diane Kruger, and Guillaume Gallienne.

The technology stack is minimal: a content website, a workshop e-commerce shop, Azure-hosted infrastructure, and an Accessiway accessibility widget for RGAA compliance. There is no proprietary AI, platform, or app. Revenue, headcount beyond an 11-50 range, and detailed pricing are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Cours Florent

Legal name

Cours Florent

Website

https://coursflorent.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cours Florent is a private French performing arts school, founded in 1967 and now part of Galileo Global Education, delivering multi-year professional training in acting, musical theatre, and music across four campuses (Paris, Brussels, Montpellier, Bordeaux) in five languages, alongside short workshops, youth programmes, and B2B executive training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (611610), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Theatre Education, Training & Conservatories (MPAGABAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Music Conservatories & Music Colleges (EDAHAJAC)

Keywords

• Performing arts education
• Drama school training
• Acting programs
• Musical theatre training
• Corporate executive training

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Professional Acting and Theatre Training Programmes: Revenue is generated from tuition fees for multi-year professional acting programmes in theatre, cinema, musical theatre, and music. Students pay for multi-year training courses across Paris, Brussels, Montpellier, and Bordeaux campuses. Fees vary by programme type and campus.
2. Short Workshops and Stage Courses: Short-format workshops (stages) ranging from 16 to 50 hours across multiple cities (Paris, Brussels, Montpellier, and other cities including Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Lille, Strasbourg, etc.) are sold via the online shop platform shop.coursflorent.fr. These serve both as standalone offerings and as entry pathways for full programme admission.
3. Youth and Teen Programmes: Age-segmented programmes for children (3-12 years) and teenagers (13-17 years) in theatre, offered in French and/or English, generating revenue through per-student course fees.
4. Executive / Corporate Training: Corporate training in public speaking, leadership, team building, and soft skills, delivered as inter-company sessions, intra-company (in-house) programmes, and individual coaching. Revenue generated through B2B contracts with enterprise clients.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cours Florent is a transdisciplinary performing arts school founded in 1967 that delivers professional training in theatre, cinema, musical theatre, and music through multi-year programmes, short workshops, and youth classes. It operates four campuses in France and Belgium, teaches in five languages, and offers corporate executive training in public speaking and leadership. The school bridges education to industry through its Bureau Casting and the annual Prix Olga Horstig showcase event.

Product overview

Cours Florent is a drama school offering professional training programs across three main curricula: Théâtre et Cinéma (acting and cinema), Comédie Musicale (musical theater), and Musique (music creation and production). The institution provides full professional training programs ranging from 1-4 years, supplemented by bilingual and international pathways in English, German, and Spanish. Additional offerings include short workshops (16-50 hours), youth programs for children (4-12) and teens (13-17), executive corporate training, and specialized ateliers (workshops) covering voice, body work, writing, and performance techniques. The school operates four campuses in Paris, Brussels, Montpellier, and Bordeaux, with notable partnerships including Regent's University London for degree programs and CLCF for directing training. Key student services include the Bureau Casting office for industry connections and the annual Prix Olga Horstig showcase event.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cours Florent Jeunesse: Programmes théâtraux pour enfants (3-12 ans) et adolescents (13-17 ans)
• Cours Florent Adulte
• Cours Florent Executive

Products and services

• Théâtre et Cinéma (Formation de l'acteur et de l'actrice) Professional multi-year acting training programme covering theatre and cinema disciplines, including scene work, classical and contemporary repertoire, and performance preparation. Targeted at adults seeking professional acting careers in French-language theatre and film.
• Acting in English Three-year professional acting programme taught entirely in English, welcoming international students and providing bilingual training pathways. Targeted at non-French-speaking students and bilingual learners seeking careers in international theatre and film.
• Schauspiel auf Deutsch Three-year acting training programme conducted in German, focusing on German-language texts, scene work, and artistic development. Targeted at German-speaking students and bilingual learners.
• Actuar en Español One-year immersive acting programme in Spanish, exploring Spanish-speaking and Latin American repertoires and collective creation. Targeted at Spanish-speaking students seeking French-based professional training.
• Comédie Musicale Professional training programme combining theatre, dance, and vocal performance for musical theatre careers. Targeted at aspiring musical theatre performers.
• Formation Musique (Auteur-Compositeur-Interprète) Three-year music programme training students in composition, production, performance, and artistic identity development as singer-songwriters. Targeted at aspiring professional musicians and composers.
• Music Creation, Production and Performance Three-year English-taught music programme combining music training with French cultural immersion, developing artists for studio and stage. Targeted at international students seeking professional music training.
• Classe Libre Théâtre Advanced theatre programme for third-year students providing intensive artistic development and professional preparation. Targeted at advanced acting students within the Cours Florent curriculum.
• Classe Libre Comédie Musicale x Mogador Intensive musical theatre programme conducted in collaboration with Théâtre Mogador, combining theatre, dance, and vocal training for the triple-threat demands of musical theatre careers. Targeted at advanced musical theatre students.
• Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Acting and Performance x Regent's Three-year professional acting degree jointly delivered with Regent's University London, combining Cours Florent acting training with a UK Bachelor's degree. Targeted at international students seeking both professional training and an academic credential.
• Ateliers Théâtre et Cinéma Ados (13-17 ans) Teen acting programme for ages 13-17 covering theatre techniques, scene work, and performance skills, available in French and English. Targeted at teenagers developing acting skills.
• Ateliers Théâtre Enfants (3-12 ans) Children's acting programme for ages 3-12 using theatrical games and bilingual (English/French) teaching to build confidence, creativity, social skills, and basic theatre techniques. Targeted at young children.
• Cours Florent Executive (Formation Entreprises) Corporate training programmes covering public speaking, leadership development, team building, and soft skills, delivered as inter-company sessions, intra-company (in-house) programmes, and individual executive coaching. Targeted at enterprise clients and individual professionals.
• Stages et Formations Courtes (Short Workshops) Short-term intensive workshops ranging from 16 to 50 hours covering theatre, cinema, musical theatre, vocal coaching, and related disciplines across multiple cities. Targeted at adults, teens, and children seeking skill development or an entry pathway to full programmes.

Quantifiable outcome

• 45 former students have won César Awards, France's highest film honour
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Regent's University LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCours Florent offers the BA (Hons) Acting and Performance programme in partnership with Regent's University London. Over 3 years, students receive professional acting training from Cours Florent faculty and earn a Bachelor's degree awarded by Regent's University London. This partnership provides international academic credentials alongside professional training, enabling graduates to pursue careers globally.
• CLCF (Cours de Langues et de Cinéma Français)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCours Florent offers a 'Réalisation et Interprétation' (Directing and Acting) programme in partnership with CLCF, combining acting training with film directing skills. This cross-disciplinary programme leverages CLCF's expertise in cinema and languages alongside Cours Florent's acting pedagogy.
• Théâtre Mogador / École de Comédie Musicale MogadorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCours Florent delivers the 'Classe Libre Comédie Musicale' in partnership with Théâtre Mogador, combining Cours Florent's theatre training with Mogador's musical theatre expertise. This programme trains students in the triple discipline of singing, dancing, and acting required for musical theatre careers.
• Théâtre des Bouffes du NordmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThéâtre des Bouffes du Nord in Paris is the annual venue for the Prix Olga Horstig, one of Cours Florent's most important professional showcase events. This partnership gives graduating students a prestigious stage in front of 100+ industry professionals, and provides the theatre with access to emerging talent from France's leading drama school.
• Galileo Global Education FrancecoreOthersCours Florent is a member of the Galileo Global Education network, one of Europe's largest higher education groups. Galileo Global Education France (SAS, capital €102,691,775; RCS Paris 752 994 566) is the parent company. The group includes multiple prestigious French schools (ESG, Strate, HETIC, IESA, etc.) and provides institutional backing, shared services, and cross-school collaboration opportunities.
• Talents AdamiminorOthersQuentin Laclotte-Parmentier's testimonial mentions the 'Talents Adami' as a platform that circulated his first short film through festivals, providing early professional visibility. Talents Adami supports emerging performing artists through grants and festival exposure.
• Free English Scholarship CompetitionminorOthersCours Florent offers Acting in English students access to the Free English Scholarship competition, which awards free tuition for one academic year to selected students following an English-language audition. Two or three scholarships are awarded annually, expanding access to international students.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cours Simon: Historic private drama school in Paris, founded 1925, offering multi-year professional acting training in French. Most direct domestic competitor to Cours Florent in the French private drama school category, competing for the same student pool with overlapping pedagogy and lower price point.
• Conservatoire National Supérieur d'Art Dramatique (CNSAD): France's elite public drama conservatoire based in Paris, offering state-funded professional acting training at near-zero tuition. It is the primary public-sector alternative that anchors the upper bound of what the French market will pay for premium private training like Cours Florent's.

Broad incumbents

• Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA): UK-based, globally recognised drama school offering conservatoire-style training with degree credentialing. Comparable to Cours Florent in pedagogy and selective admission, and a direct benchmark for Cours Florent's English-language and Regent's University London partnership ambitions.
• London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA): One of the oldest English-speaking drama schools, offering conservatoire training and degree programmes. Comparable to Cours Florent in multi-year professional structure and selective audition-based admission; key competitor for international Anglophone drama students.
• Juilliard School — Drama Division: Elite US performing arts conservatoire with a drama division offering BFA and MFA acting training. Comparable to Cours Florent in selective audition-based admission, conservatoire model, and industry-pipeline strength, but operating at a far larger scale in the US market.
• Yale School of Drama: Graduate-level conservatoire at Yale University offering MFA programmes in acting, directing, and design. Comparable to Cours Florent's advanced training (Classe Libre) in selective admission and industry outcomes, and a global benchmark for conservatoire excellence.

Regional players

• TNS — Théâtre National de Strasbourg (École du TNS): Public drama school affiliated with the Centre Dramatique National in Strasbourg, offering professional training with state subsidies. Comparable to Cours Florent in pedagogy and selective admission, but a regional public alternative operating primarily in eastern France.
• National Theatre School of Canada: Canada's national bilingual (English/French) professional drama school, offering conservatoire programmes in acting, directing, and production. Comparable to Cours Florent in its bilingual delivery and elite public/private hybrid model, and a useful peer for cross-market expansion analysis.

Others

• Cours Florent Belgique (Brussels campus): Cours Florent's own Brussels campus — included as a peer for completeness because it operates as a distinct campus and competes with local Belgian drama schools in the same Francophone market; not a separate entity but a relevant comparator for geographic expansion dynamics.

Emerging players

• Stella Adler Studio of Acting: New York-based private acting school known for technique-based training and selective admission. Comparable to Cours Florent in selective, conservatoire-style pedagogy and in serving international students, though smaller in scale and less multilingual.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CoursFlorent
• Facebookfacebook.com/CoursFlorentParis

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cours Florent