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paris eiffel tower river skyline
Paris, France

French Language & Culture

Language & Culture

Dates

-

4 weeks

Costs

$7,450

Application Deadline

Enroll Now

Request Information

Dates

-

4 weeks

Costs

$7,450

Application Deadline

Enroll Now

Request Information

Program Overview

Discover the elegance and charm of Parisian life and a language spoken by more than 100 million people. 

Dive into the richness of French with four weeks of language immersion in France’s capital. After language classes, engage in French conversations in the bustling, cobblestone streets of the Latin Quarter, at the hilltop neighborhood of Montmartre, and on visits to iconic landmarks—Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower. Catch the sounds of traditional French folk music from street musicians, window-shop outside Bohemian boutiques, and meet French teens, too. The city’s many cafés, bookstores, markets, and parks all become backdrops to an authentic local experience. 

Living with a host family, share French meals each day and deepen your understanding of local customs and traditions. On weekends, go on excursions to the village of Giverny, with its famous gardens that inspired the paintings of Monet, and to the historic beaches and WWII sites of Normandy. By immersing yourself in French culture and everyday life, you will not only level up your French, but you’ll also get to enjoy the country the way Parisians do.

The Take-Aways

Language Growth and Cultural Competence

Come home with a higher level of French and a greater understanding of French culture. Use your STAMP 4S language proficiency pre- and posttest scores to demonstrate your language growth and help you earn a Seal of Biliteracy.

College Credits

Choose to earn 4 college credits toward your future college degree. Take advantage of the credits to stand out on your college applications or to satisfy college language requirements.

Lifelong Skills and Friendships

Return with greater self-confidence, independence, and adaptability. Enjoy a broader worldview and diverse friendships from across the U.S. 

60

Hours Of Instruction With A Native French Teacher

4

College Credits

1

Life-changing Experience

The Destination
  • Paris
  • Paris Louvre exterior
  • French pastries made by high school students in Paris

The Destination

Welcome to Paris—la ville lumiere (city of light), a global center of art, fashion, and culture.

As a symbol of the Age of Enlightenment, Paris holds a special place in Europe. Set in northern central France and founded by Celts in the 3rd Century B.C., la ville lumiere grew from humble origins to be at a crossroads of trade and be a worldwide cultural mecca. Thirty million visitors a year revel in its diversity and delicious cuisine, enjoying melt-in-your-mouth croissants and patisserie fit for Marie Antoinette herself! 

The Musee d'Orsay houses the world’s largest collection of impressionist artworks. Come face to face with Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa in the Louvre, the world’s largest and most visited museum. Pay homage at the first couture fashion house on Rue de la Paix or flex your science muscles at the National Museum of Natural History and the Paris Observatory. For the eclectic, there’s the Museum of Magic and the Paris Catacombs, with its maze of underground galleries. At the core of French cultural heritage and offering something for every interest, Paris stands as a captivating city awaiting discovery.

Cultural Awareness

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 Paris.

Daily Life

Daily Life

Monday–Friday  

Each day offers a balance between interactive instruction and cultural activities with time on your own, too. Morning classes and afternoon activities may swap places. 

  • Breakfast at your homestay 
  • Engaging French classes with expert language instructors, all native-speakers  
  • Lunch in the community with your fellow Global Navigators 
  • Out and about for authentic conversations in the community and a cultural activity  
  • Dinner and evening discussions at your homestay

Weekend 

  • Overnight or day excursions to top sites 
  • Quality time with friends and your host family

Check out the blog posts to discover more about daily life and excursions on program. 

Housing

Carefully-screened homestay

24/7 Support

1 Program Leader for every 12 students and support from local staff

Weekly Learning Goals

In CIEE classes, Level 1 is for students acquiring basic French, Level 2 is for those who can carry on everyday conversations, and Level 3 is for those who can participate in discussions on social and academic topics. In the spring before you depart, you’ll take a language proficiency test and when you arrive on site, you’ll participate in an oral interview. How you do on the test and in the interview will identify the level that is right for you. 

Each week, you’ll explore a Theme and create a Project. Each day in class, you’ll learn French through engaging activities and then, in the community, try out your new French in conversations with locals. 

WEEK 1: Settle in and meet your classmates as you explore the Identity Theme. Ask and answer questions, give information, describe your favorite things and your family at home and in France. For your Project, create and present a Personal Profile. 

WEEK 2: Take in the local scene as you explore the Community Theme. Describe places, attractions, and events in Toulouse. Tell what you want to buy in shops, and express your likes and dislikes in food and fashion. For your Project, create a Photo Gallery of Life in Toulouse and share it in a conversation.  

WEEK 3: Continue improving your French as you delve into the Discovery Theme and, for your Project, create and present a Travel Flyer for a destination in France. Give and follow directions, give details of a trip itinerary day-by-day, and describe the destination, the weather, and what to do there.  

WEEK 4: Consider the impact of your summer in this week’s Personal Growth Theme. Tell what you experienced in France, make cultural comparisons, and participate in study abroad interviews. For your Project, create a Study Abroad Album and share it in a panel discussion.   

Each week, you’ll explore a Theme and create a Project. Each day in class, you’ll learn French through engaging activities and then, in the community, try out your new French in conversations with locals. 

WEEK 1: Settle in and meet your classmates as you explore the Discovery Theme. Ask about and describe family members, discover and describe exciting things to do in Barcelona, and compare daily routines and customs in France and the USA. For your Project, create and present a Memory Book of Your Life in Paris. 

WEEK 2: Explore French culture during this week’s Creativity Theme. Compare musical performances, express opinions on art, tell what happened in movies, and persuade a classmate to attend a cultural event. For your Project, create a Photo Gallery on French Culture and share it in a conversation.  

WEEK 3: Delve into Toulouse in this week’s Community Theme. For your Project, create and present a Neighborhood Tour in Toulouse. Describe the city and what happens there. Role play scenes in a market and restaurant. Report on Toulouse’s past and future. 

WEEK 4: Consider the impact of your summer during the Personal Growth Theme. Tell what happened in memorable moments and how you felt about it. Make cultural comparisons and persuade a friend to study abroad. For your Project, create a Study Abroad Album and share it in a panel discussion.   

Each week, you’ll explore a Theme and create a Project. Each day in class, you’ll learn French through engaging activities and then, in the community, try out your new French in conversations with locals. 

WEEK 1: Settle in and meet your classmates during the Cultural Encounters Theme. Tell what happened on a first encounter abroad. Summarize past and current events in Toulouse. Express your opinions as you compare cultural norms and stereotypes. For your Project, create and present a Field Report on Toulouse.  

WEEK 2: Explore French culture in this week’s Creativity Theme. Describe street art and profile artists, express opinions on magazines and movies, and compare musical performances. For your Project, create an Arts & Culture Magazine and share it in a conversation.  

WEEK 3: Continue advancing your French as you delve into the Discovery Theme. For your Project, create and present an Awareness Campaign about a global threat. Give information on its causes and effects, explain solutions, and persuade others in debates, justifying your arguments. 

WEEK 4: Consider the impact of your summer in this week’s Personal Growth Theme. Conduct a class survey on experiences in France and make cultural comparisons. Tell an original story about a memorable moment and speculate on what’s next for you. For your Project, create a Study Abroad Album and share it in a panel discussion.   

Program Blogs

Paris City Hall
From CIEE

Students as Walking Tour Guides

By Deborah Rosen at CIEE

This week, students acted as walking tour guides in the Marais, one of the most interesting and popular neighborhoods in Paris. Located in the third and fourth arrondissements, the Marais... keep reading

playing petanque 3
From CIEE

Let's Play Pétanque!!

By Hayley Tornquist at CIEE

Pétanque (often referred to as Boules ), is a popular French game that dates back to the early 1900’s. It is a relatively simple concept that involves throwing small metal... keep reading

Les filles
From CIEE

Les Familles d'Accueil

By Tracy Gallo at CIEE

Students who are here in Paris for the 4-week immersion Language and Culture program, were welcomed into the homes of many local host families. The host families range from couples... keep reading

Activities

Sample Activities

Paris_Students croissants

Just imagine all the fun you’ll have!

  • Flex your artistic credentials and create your own graffiti murals with street artist Hugo in the Bercy Skate Park. 
  • Impress your friends with delicious chocolate eclairs as you master the art of making pâte à choux from French pastry chefs. 
  • Test your nez at the Fragonard Perfume Museum as you learn how perfume is made and try to identify different scents. 
  • Challenge your fellow Global Navigators to a game of pétanque in the sun-drenched Parisian parks. 
  • Explore the hidden secrets of Paris, walking through the underground labyrinth of bone-filled catacombs. 
  • Channel your inner French aristocrat by strolling through the grounds of the Parc de Sceaux. Picnic in the gardens before hitting the summer soldes (sales) in the outdoor market.  

Please note activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience. 

What Students Are Saying

  • “I had an amazing experience studying abroad in Paris! My French teacher was exceptionally nice and entertaining. I had an outstanding host family who helped me to feel at home. My French improved greatly, and I made a lot of awesome friends!” 

    Kalia H., Global Navigator Alum

  • “It’s truly the experience of a lifetime. I have made countless memories that I will never forget. CIEE has allowed me to explore Paris in the most authentic way.” 

    Emma G., Global Navigator Alum

  • “I got to learn a lot of vocabulary and learn how the locals speak! I’ll always remember the trip to Parc de Sceaux and the cruise on the Seine!” 

    Cecilia U., Global Navigator Alum

  • “Navigating Paris with my friends was amazing! It brought a sense of independence. My favorite parts were finding more untouched parts of the city and getting better at navigating the metro.” 

    Julia S., Global Navigator Alum

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

Eligibility

  • Program open to all current high school students—Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors—who have completed at least one year of high school French. Students who have completed at least two years of high school French may qualify for the Honors French Language & Culture program in Rennes, France.
  • For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our scholarship page.

For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Application Fee

$25

Optional College Credit Fee

$150

Learn more about how to get college credit for your future college degree.

Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.

SUMMER OLYMPICS 2024 

Paris will host the Olympics from July 24 to August 11. CIEE Paris program dates are different from previous years and other summer programs to account for Olympics’ start time and ensure a better overall experience for participants.

More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations or contact us!

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Costs
Program Summer Session I 2024 4 weeks Start Date End Date Costs $7,450
Program Summer Session II 2024 4 weeks Start Date End Date Costs $7,450

What’s Included

Interactive Classes

Housing

3 Meals/Day

(Dietary Needs Accommodated)

All Ground Transportation

(Once In-country)

Optional Flight Chaperone

(Flight Cost Not Included)

Pre-departure Advice and Orientation

Access to Local Phone and WIFI

All Cultural Activities and Excursions

Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection

24/7 Emergency On-site Support

Our Staff

Our Staff

franck_le_gac

Franck Le Gac

ACADEMIC DIRECTOR

Franck oversees the coordination, quality, and planning of all courses and educational programing in Paris. He is responsible for faculty staffing, finalization of syllabi, the course evaluation process, and program...

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