rennes buildings night
Rennes, France

Summer Intensive French Language

Study Program

Dates

-

8 weeks

Costs

Credit

10 semester hours

15 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Dates

-

8 weeks

Costs

Credit

10 semester hours

15 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Apply Now

Request Information

Overview

Immerse yourself in the medieval flavor, idyllic setting, and rich culture of Rennes, the capital of Brittany. Here, you'll have the unique opportunity to discover Brittany's historical culture and broad heritage while polishing your intermediate to advanced French language skills.

This eight-week Intensive French Language program allows you to develop a deeper understanding of French history, culture, and society as you explore common themes throughout your courses. All courses are complemented with weekly co-curricular visits to the city's wide variety of cultural institutions and organizations relevant to the course offering.

You'll be in good company in the old city center of Rennes, as 30% of the population is students. Explore the charming timber houses, cafés, narrow streets, and stone roads by day. Experience the vibrant nightlife and visit the theater, opera, orchestra, and cinemas by night. Summer is a charming time to visit Rennes, particularly in July when the "Festival des Tombées de la Nuit" packs the streets with people enjoying meals in outdoor cafes and free entertainment.

Unique Experiences

Live with a French family

and share daily meals with them.

Take language classes

that are perfect for your level.

Volunteer

to help the local community.

210K

residents in Rennes

2

universities

303

technology companies

Experience
  • student group rennes france
  • street rennes france side walk

Your Destination

The capital of Brittany is a perfect blend of city and small-town life. Located just an hour and a half west of Paris by train and an hour from the sea, Rennes is known for its technology and dynamic economy. The city is consistently rated as one of the best places to live in France and provides study abroad students the opportunity to learn the distinct Celtic traditions particular to this region of France. The half-timbered medieval houses in the historic center contribute to the city’s aesthetic charms and contrast with more recent and modern urban architecture. Rennes' 60,000-strong student population gives the city a young and vibrant feel, with a rich variety of cultural events. Despite its small size, Rennes has everything a big city would offer and MORE: arts, food, sports, festivals, concerts, shopping, urban life, country life, and nature. There is always something going on in Rennes! What students like about Rennes is its human scale: the city is not too big, not too small, safe, and accessible thanks to its excellent bus metro transport system. After a couple of days in Rennes, students can navigate the city very easily, and within just a few weeks develop new routines and seek their soon-to-be favorite crêperies, bakeries, cafés, and boutiques! The city is well connected thanks to its conveniently located small international airport with destinations to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Lisbon, London, Prague, Rome, and a European train station. 

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Rennes.

The Culture

museum excursion france

Other Excursions & Activities

  • Indulge in delectable crêpes and other regional specialties and become familiar with Rennes by involving your senses: observation, taste, smell, and hearing. 
  • Embark on a journey through time as you explore Medieval walled cities such as Fougères, Dinan, or Vannes. 
  • Get away to Nantes and discover the Galerie des Machines, a bestiary of machines inspired by the imaginary world of the writer Jules Verne. 
  • Explore the walled city of Saint-Malo, admire the view from its ramparts, and enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches in France! 
volunteer gardeners france rennes

Projects

  • Peer-to-peer tutoring. Volunteer at the Franco-American Institute in Rennes – the last remaining bi-national institute in France – and brush up on your language skills by chatting with French conversation partners   
  • Volunteering. Give back to the host community by helping French children with their English. Students can also go green as they work on the rehabilitation of shared community gardens or help at the Human Kit Fab Lab and advocate for “handicap empowerment”.

Program Blogs

From CIEE

Intercultural Adjustment in France & Culture Shock

By CIEE Rennes at CIEE

While traveling and living abroad, having an open mind is key to understanding and appreciating cultural practices and customs that may be different from your own. I have studied about... keep reading

From CIEE

Mon expérience au début du séjour à Rennes : le dépaysement

By CIEE Rennes at CIEE

Comme la plupart des gens qui aspirent à voyager autour du monde et vivre de nouvelles expériences et cultures, j’étais ravi d’être accepté au programme intensif d'été à Rennes (Summer... keep reading

From CIEE

Live a Little: A Taste for Travel and Experiencing Life Abroad

By CIEE Rennes at CIEE

It will rain. But, not every day as many legends hath prophesied. Rennes is a beautiful “ville” with much to offer. Although the first week or two you may find... keep reading

Housing
Academics

Academics

The CIEE Summer Intensive French Language program in Rennes is geared toward students with intermediate- to advanced-level French skills who want to make significant gains in French language in a short period of time. Students take three French language courses, focused on language, oral communication, and reading and writing. All CIEE courses are taught by professors who specialize in second-language teaching methodology at a private institute conveniently located in the city’s historic center. In-class work is augmented with co-curricular visits to the city’s rich variety of cultural institutions and organizations relevant to the course offering.

Before the start of the program, students must have completed three semesters of college-level French or equivalent and must take an online preliminary language placement test.

Students agree to speak only French during the program to encourage language and cultural acquisition. 

GPA

2.5

Language Requirements

3 semesters of college-level French or equivalent. 

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Requirements

Three language classes at their level (intermediate or advanced); language placement test will determine the level.

Program Credit

Total credit: 10 U.S. semester/15 quarter credits 

Course Credit

  • CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours 
  • Intermediate French Oral Communication and Advanced French Oral Communication courses: 4 U.S. semester/6 quarter credits; 60 contact hours 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Academic Culture

In general, professors in France are more formal than in the United States, however, they will be accessible and will provide some individual attention to students. French professors put great emphasis on students’ ability to demonstrate logical thinking, produce well-structured arguments (both in writing and in speaking), and conform to a certain extent to French methodology. The courses build upon the knowledge that students have acquired and progressively introduce them to the more advanced nuances and complexities involved in a deeper understanding and use of the French language. This is achieved in part by reinvesting learning processes through structural exercises, games, special projects, and group and sub-group activities using authentic and didactic documents (press articles, excerpts of informational, argumentative, and literary documents, theatrical papers, digital sources, radio and television shows, film clips and songs). Throughout their courses, students explore common themes  (l’Histoire, les Arts, les Loisirs, l’Environnement, les Media, l'Engagement Citoyen, Progrès et Nouvelles Technologies)) and thus develop a deeper understanding of France and Brittany's history, culture, and society. 

Class Format

Classes meet 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:15 - 2:45 p.m., Monday through Friday (note: Friday afternoons are free). The curriculum is augmented with out-of-the-classroom co-curricular visits to the city’s rich variety of cultural institutions and organizations relevant to the course offering. Hence, students take part in workshops or visit places of cultural interest related to the studied theme with their professor in lieu of some afternoon classes.  Professors distribute a detailed syllabus indicating course materials, assignment and exam dates, and expectations. Students should expect daily homework. Attendance is mandatory and absences will impact the final grade.

Grading

Assessment is typically based on homework, essays, tests, oral presentations, out-of-class project reports, participation, and final exams. Students can expect at least two major exams (midterm and final). Teachers notice when students are absent, and this can affect grades. Professors use a French grading scale of 0 to 20. All final grades are converted into U.S. letter grades.  

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Language of Instruction

French

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Courses

Course Information

Summer 2025

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Scholarships

Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

  • Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
  • Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
  • CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
  • MSI Grant
  • CIEE STEM Scholarship

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

Program Summer 2025 8 weeks Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $8,950
Program Summer 2024 8 weeks Application Due Deadline Passed Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $8,850

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $6,620**

Housing = $1,830***

Insurance = $200

Total Fees = $8,950

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $400

International Airfare = $1,200

Local Transportation = $77

Books & Supplies = $30

Personal expenses = $180††

Other = $55

Total Costs = $1,942

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.

For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals a day and more on weekends. For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $280 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $6,803**

Housing = $1,550

Insurance = $197

Total Fees = $8,850

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $400

International Airfare = $1,200

Local Transportation = $77

Books & Supplies = $30

Personal expenses = $175

Other = $55

Total Costs = $1,937

Optional Housing

CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee. Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis; however, other factors may also be considered.

Select Housing Fee = $400^

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals a day and more on weekends. For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $280 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

^first-come, first serve, based on availability

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Meals

Staff

Our Staff

Daniel Audaz

Director

Daniel Audaz has been the Director of the CIEE program in Rennes since 2008. He is originally from Marseille and studied at the University of Aix-en-Provence (France) where he obtained his M.A. in Geography and then specialized in FLE/S (Français Langue Etrangère et Seconde).

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application

You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

2

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office

Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.

3

Contact Us

Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Request Info