Study French in stunning Annecy and Nice and the learning continues long after you exit the classroom door. Immerse yourself in French culture wandering the streets of Paris. Practice your new skills with vendors buying a baguette and fromage at the local farmer’s market. Revel in the beauty of the capital city sipping coffee along the banks of the Seine. Sail the crystal waters of the Mediterranean on the Côte d’Azur. Spend one-on-one time with native French speakers through a cultural immersion activity. Celebrate Bastille Day-France’s Independence Day-with thousands of fellow revelers. Live in a quaint French alpine town and savor the rich local cuisine. Conversely, experience life amidst the bustling tempo of the French Riviera in summertime while living with French families. Delight in all these adventures while building your French language skills, and soaking up the beauty and culture that is France.
“Isabella is much more confident speaking French with people. She is shy but did not back down when she spoke French to the man selling cheese at Whole Foods. She also seemed to mature and more open.”
— Parent of Isabella S., Mill Valley, CA
Arrival in Paris
Our adventure begins in Paris, the City of Light and capital of France. We tour the city’s broad avenues, impressive parks and gardens, world-renowned museums, and perhaps enjoy a delicious crêpe, the quintessential French fare, at a sidewalk café. Visits include the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the famed Champs d’Élysées, and many other celebrated sites.
French Language School in the Alps
We transfer to Annecy, a picturesque town in the French Alps, for our first week of French language study. The language program is designed to immerse us in French through a combination of classroom instruction with qualified teachers and activities with native speakers. Local excursions and activities expand our learning opportunities outside of the classroom, so that we experience French culture, language, and society first-hand. The course is varied, challenging, and fun to facilitate enjoyment while we increase our proficiency.
Alps Whitewater Rafting & Hiking
We continue to explore the Alps, situated at the crossroads between Italy, France, and Switzerland. We spend two days discovering the region’s sites, including a full day of whitewater rafting on the Isère River. On this action-packed day, professional French guides teach us how to navigate the river’s tumbling waters. As we ride some of France’s best whitewater, we enjoy views of the soaring mountain peaks that surround us. We also spend a day hiking forest trails through alpine meadows with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, hoping to spot chamois and mouflon, some of the local fauna that inhabit the area.
Language Study in Nice
We bid farewell to the mountains and transfer to the Mediterranean coast, where we continue to improve our French language skills with a week in cosmopolitan Nice. Nice presents a unique multicultural atmosphere, blending the old with the new, which allows us to experience the city’s history and culture while enjoying world famous beaches and seaside resorts. Again, our classroom studies are supplemented by activities and a homestay with French families that allow us to practice what we have learned and immerse ourselves in the culture and way of life in the Riviera.
Sailing the Côte d’Azur
We celebrate the end of our journey by sailing the beautiful azure waters of the French Riviera. Enjoy amazing panoramas of the stunning beaches and glittering coastal towns that dot the shoreline. We pass the time gliding along the sapphire blue water, stopping to swim and snorkel throughout our voyage. We conclude our program by returning to Paris for a festive farewell dinner.
