Trip Description

To truly learn the French language, you must immerse yourself in France’s rich and distinctive culture and live amongst its people. From its cosmopolitan metropolises to its charming towns, discover France’s traditions, history, cuisine and diverse landscapes on an unforgettable adventure. Begin in Paris, exploring the incomparable architecture, historical monuments, art and quaint neighborhoods that make the “City of Light” one of the most spectacular in the world. Then embark on a hiking expedition through some of the most beautiful parts of the Alps to Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest and most magnificent peak. Venture to the heart of Châteaux country for two weeks of formal language instruction in the renaissance town of Amboise. Travel to France’s beautiful Atlantic coast to play in the ocean and reflect on our journey. You’ll return home with amazing memories, confident in your ability to communicate in French in a real world setting.

• Itinerary & Country Map

• Day 1–4
  Paris gives us the ultimate first glimpse at French city life. View the world’s finest art at the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay and marvel at Notre Dame’s impressive gothic architecture. Hop on city cruisers and bike to Versailles, where we have a picnic lunch on the lawn of its magnificent gardens. Visit Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet, the picturesque village she built to escape her court by pretending to be a peasant girl. Stroll through lively outdoor markets and pedestrian streets, a great chance to practice your French. Artists line the boulevards selling their work, street performers fill the air with music and food vendors entice you with savory crepes. Take in a stunning view from the top of the Tour Eiffel. People watch on the Champs-Elysées. Paris is not just a place you visit; it is a place you experience through all of your senses.

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  Day 5–10
  We arrive by train in Chamonix, an enchanting ski town nestled in the Alps. From here we set off on our next adventure, hiking around the majestic Mont Blanc massif. Our trek takes us through dramatic passes, lush forests, alpine meadows and expansive valleys with magnificent views of soaring jagged peaks. It’s a hiker’s paradise and a photographer’s dream! The challenge of the hike and the beauty of the landscape bond our group. Cozy mountain refuges await us each night for rest, relaxation and reflection.

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  Day 11–17
  Travel to the picturesque town of Amboise nestled on the banks of the Loire River to begin your French studies. Known for its beautiful châteaux and countryside, the Loire Valley was, and still is, home to the most notable French royalty and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its historical importance. Here, fairytale castles are the backdrop to some of the quaintest French hamlets. Although we’ve honed our French a great deal already, we begin our formal language studies in earnest, attending daily classes and living with host families. Known as the region where “the purest French is spoken”, it’s the ideal place to be completely immersed in the language.
  
  When not in class or at home with your host family, visit Clos-Lucé, Leonardo Da Vinci’s last residence and Chateau d’Amboise, once home to Charles VIII, Louise XI and Francois I. Explore the nearby Savonnières grottos and the medieval gardens of Villandry. Wander through the market down by the riverside, cook French pastries and ease into the rhythm of the small town French lifestyle. On the weekend, we’ll take a trip to the lively university town of Tours, also known as a “mini-Paris” with its formal gardens, cosmopolitan shopping and bustling street markets. Before beginning our second week of language classes, canoe the Loire River that meanders through this picturesque valley called the “Garden of France”.

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  Day 18–23
  During our second week in Amboise, we participate in a cultural immersion project at the Maison de Jeunesse et Culture (MJC). The project varies from year to year, but we work alongside French students to reach a common goal. Past projects have included setting up for the Lezartistiks festival showcasing the artwork of young French people, and creating an Escale Plage, a community beach area next to the Loire River. Share stories about your life in America with your new French friends while learning about their lives as well. Take a break together to play a game of foosball, or “baby foot,” and finish with a well-deserved celebratory dinner with the students and members of the community, thanking you for all the work you’ve done.

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  Day 24–26
  Our adventure would not be complete without a trip to the coast! Eager to trade our books for beaches, we travel to France’s southern Atlantic Ocean. Our French skills are stronger now, and we converse easily as we explore charming seaside towns. Together we relax, swim and play on warm, sandy shores. It’s hard to imagine how much you’ve seen and done in just a few short weeks… You’ve learned how to really speak French while experiencing an amazing cross-section of the country — quaint towns, big cities, the countryside, the sea and the tallest of mountains.

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