France

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Arts, Fashion, French

Experience and live the language and culture in Paris and the South of France where you will spend the entire month improving and refining your French language skills. French author, Jules Verne’s famous characters Phileas Fogg and his loyal companion Passepartout, went around the world in 80 days and had some incredible adventures while doing so; your trip around France will be equally as exciting!

Paris has a spectacular history with an enchanting atmosphere, grand monuments, incredible architecture, amazing museums, well-designed parks and an infinite number of cool cafés dating from the 17th century. It has imprinted its personality on the pages of history in fashion, writing, art, and music. We’ll explore all of this and more! Our students will reside in quaint and historic districts giving us easy access to all sites on foot and by using the extensive Metro (subway) to see all of Paris.

You’ll discover the Paris of Victor Hugo where he created the vibrant characters of his epic novels, Les Misérables and the Hunchback of Notre Dame, then walk just a few blocks away to visit the Gothic Cathedral where one of his most famous novels is set – Notre Dame, of course! Due to the devastating fire that struck Notre Dame in April, we’ll only be able to view the Cathedral from a distance, but we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch along the banks of the Seine across from Notre Dame.

You will also have an opportunity to take a staircase of about 100 steps to an underground region of the city that leads into tunnels dug out during the Roman period – which leads you to Catacombs created in the 18th century. Or you can choose to walk up 674 steps to the second level of the Eiffel Tower – a symbol of France – that is brilliantly lit up at night and allows you to view all of Paris!

Shopping at various clothing galleries, the old food markets of les Halles, exploring the posh streets of Maraisand Places des Voges – the oldest square in Europe – and of course walking along the chic Champs Elysées lined with high end shops is something to be remembered – ending at the famous Arc de Triomphe.

We’ll visit grand monuments from the old Pantheon to the very modern Centre Pompidou which looks like something from outer space! And reading the Phantom of the Opera will take on a different meaning when you are able to enter his domain, the very real and opulent Opera House – Palais Garnier. Picturesque Montmartre is where we’ll find famous tiny cheese, baguette and pastry shops that lead us up the hill to the Basilique du Sacré Coeur for another panoramic view of this stunning city.

After exploring all of Paris, we then move to the South of France to enjoy the lively Côte D’Azur (French Riviera) and Provence. We reside in Antibes / Juan Les Pins, an area once inhabited by Phoenicians and Romans, situated along the Mediterranean Sea. Here you’ll see Cathedrals and Chateaux – one of which was Pablo Picasso’s studio – leading to the Marche Provencal with colourful displays of local foods, fresh flowers and other unique delicacies of the region. You’ll be in the heart of Southern France!

We’ll also visit other cities and towns nearby, including Nice, Cannes, Eze, and Monaco to experience the stunning beaches and coves, seaside cafes, narrow streets, quaint shops, and the many clifftop villages so typical of this region. The weather in the south is considerably warmer so you’ll be able to enjoy our residence’s rooftop pool with a spectacular view or find a spot on the beach to enjoy the blue Mediterranean waters a short walk away.