Have you always dreamed of strolling through charming, old-world regions with cultured friends? Do you have a fascination with the French language and culture, and wish you could whip out another language from your back pocket without having to think? Have some time this summer to kill and want to do something exciting and productive? Head to France to pick up some French, of course! Why snooze over boring flashcards and vocab tests when you can live la vie francaise and study abroad this summer in France instead?!
Be. Our. Guest. And, sign up for french summer programs!
French summer programs are ideal, here’s why:
Most students during the school year are busy. Between classes, extracurriculars, and part-time jobs, there’s hardly room for taking on a venture like learning a language. Because a lot of schools don’t require language study, it usually isn’t something most students prioritize. That’s what makes summer the best time to pick up a new skill— like fluency in French!
Here’s the thing. Summer is all about fun, and we all can admit that. Sure, most of us still have jobs and things we’re supposed to accomplish even when not in school, but summer is also about long days spent outside with friends and having adventures. Why not do exactly that but in a different - and probably more exciting - country? Kill two birds with one stone and gain fluency in another language while having the adventures of a lifetime!
[Find a private French tutor with Preply!]
French summer programs qu'on te fait sourire
From strolling down spectacular beaches in the French Riviera to experiencing the bustle of summer in the city, France is such a fun and rewarding place to spend a summer. Even though it’s a relatively small country, each region is unique, so pick the location and program that’s right for you!
1. PARIS: Wander the Left Bank with CEA Study Abroad Paris
Say au revoir to your boring French classroom and head to the birthplace of all that is French: Paris! CEA Study Abroad offers awesome French summer programs in the City of Light with class offerings in international business, French culture and society, social sciences, and of course, all levels and intensities of French language study. To top it off, CEA also offers hands-on opportunities to boost your career, including their Global Career Development Certificate program and volunteering opportunities around the city.
Pros: Paris is the standard study abroad route for budding Francophiles, and you know what they say…“if it ain’t baroque, don’t fix it!” There is something to be said for studying in the capital of the French-speaking world, and any student in Paris is sure to experience way more than bargained for.
Cons: Paris is a huge city, meaning there are tons of non-French speakers residing here, too. Don’t be tempted into speaking English and only making friends with fellow foreigners! Be sure to sign up for CEA’s homestay options to ensure total immersion and take advantage of all of its excursions, cultural activities, and volunteering opportunities to really absorb the Parisian culture!
Related:
- Read CEA reviews | View their site
- Check out all French summer programs in Paris
We know you’ve been dreaming of views like this.
2. NICE: Soak up the Sun along the Cote d’Azur with IES Abroad Nice
Do your “summer in France” fantasies include strolling along pristine beaches and quaint port cities over sweating it out in an urban area? Head to Nice with IES Abroad! The French Riviera is the best place to spend a summer, and between the spectacular coastline, lively cultural scene, and very international population, students in Nice are sure to have the experience of a lifetime!
Pros: IES Abroad offers a Multiculturalism in France summer program, which focuses on the immigrant migration that has taken place over the decades. Due to its location, Nice has attracted immigrants from all over the world and is now an incredibly diverse port city, making it the ideal place for globally-minded students to live.
Cons: You might never come home. Seriously, the French Riviera is stunning and getting to spend a whole summer there will probably mean nothing else will ever live up. Not such a bad thing though, right?
Related:
- Read IES Abroad reviews | View their site
- All French Summer Programs in Nice
[Compare your top programs & locations side-by-side with MyGoAbroad]
3. RENNES: Take a Step Through Time with CIEE Summer Intensive Rennes
Want to become super proficient in French this summer? Immerse yourself in this eight week intensive language program in beautiful and historic Rennes! Just two hours from Paris by train, Rennes is a medium-sized city in northwestern France and capital of the coastal region of Brittany.
The name of the game for this program is fluency, so students live with local families, take tons of fascinating language and cultural courses, and participate in excursions to Normandy and throughout Brittany to help you better understand the historical heritage of northwestern France.
Pros: CIEE’s program in Rennes is so much more than just study abroad. Students have the opportunity to volunteer with French children and help them with their English studies, as well as work with seniors at a local retirement home. Also, students can obtain an internship in education and help build teaching resources for young children. Three experiences for the price of one!
Cons: Rennes has recently become a very popular city for expats to live in due to its small-town-in-a-big-city vibe. It has gained notoriety for being a university city that opens its doors to foreigners, so naturally more foreigners keep moving here. This is a great thing for soaking up multiculturalism and learning more about the world, but for those trying to become as fluent in French as possible, it can provide a lot of English-speaking temptation!
Related:
Close the books on your same ol’ same ol’ conjugation practice. Get out there and strike up a conversation!
4. MONTPELLIER: Live a Life of French Aristocracy with University of Minnesota Montpellier
Escape the crowds of Paris and live like royalty in Montpellier! Unlike the majority of central Europe, Montpellier was founded by the counts of Toulouse (not Rome!) and subsequently features elegant French mansions on manicured boulevards and gorgeous beaches right at your fingertips. Students will be sure to enjoy studying in France’s fastest growing city - primarily due to its immigrant and student populations - and participating in the program’s many excursions outside of the city!
Pros: Based at the University of Montpellier, students can pick between French language, humanities, and business courses. STEM majors can rejoice in knowing you can also take classes as specific as engineering, biology, math, and other social science courses!
Cons: Depending on your class schedule, some courses are only available with fellow international students while others matriculate directly with French students. For those aiming for fluency, be sure to sign up for the classes with French students to really get the best overall academic experience!
Related:
[Are Language Immersion Programs all They’re Cracked up to be?]
5. GRENOBLE: Lose Yourself in the French Alps with AIFS Grenoble
Not all of France is city or beach...head to the “capital of the Alps” and host of the 1968 Winter Olympics: Grenoble! Dramatically situated between magnificent mountains, national parks, and rapid rivers and home to a ton of high-tech industries, museums, and restaurants, Grenoble is the perfect place to study French this summer.
Pros: The AIFS Intensive French Language Program obviously focuses on fluency. Located at the Centre Universitaire d’Études Françaises, students can enroll in all levels of French language courses, live with a local family, and participate in tons of cultural and social activities all over Grenoble and the surrounding area. No reason not to become super proficient after this!
Cons: If you’re looking for a summer-by-the-shore experience, this is not it. Students who choose this region should love nature and want to explore all that the Alps have to offer. Summer in Grenoble can get busy with backpackers, hikers, and overall alpine-lovers, but this shouldn’t deter you from studying here! How can you go wrong when you’re surrounded by larger-than-life mountains and within a few hour train ride of both Italy and Switzerland?
Related:
Have it made like Madeleine when you sign up for french summer programs for high school students.
6. BRUSSELS (#PlotTwist!): French Summer Program in Belgium with CIEE
Despite what a lot of people think, France isn’t the only place to study French! Head to Brussels this summer to study in a center of international politics, finance, and diplomacy. Beyond your typical courses, students can choose from classes in business, international relations, communications, European film history, art and culture, and even classes as specific as European patent and trademark law. No better place to study this than Brussels!
Pros: This program is much more than just a summer studying abroad. CIEE also offers for-credit internships while you’re abroad, so you will return home with mad language skills and some work skills, too! This in combination with your tuition, housing, and tons of field trips and cultural excursions totally gives you an awesome bang for your buck.
Cons: Budding Francophiles should take the type of dialect into consideration when picking a program outside of France. While close in proximity, Belgium’s dialect can be pretty different than France’s, so be sure to think about the accent and vocab you want to acquire!
Related:
[What the Language You Learn Abroad Says About You]
Runner ups
They might not be the best of the best, but they certainly do amazing work in the field and provide incredible experiences for French learners.
French summer programs for high school students
High School Exchange in France with Nacel International
Nacel was founded by two language teachers from France who started by offering summer sessions in England for French teenagers. They aimed to provide students with opportunities to expand language learning and knowledge of another culture through an affordable and well-organized summer program. Now, you can spend a summer (or longer) on exchange in France as a high school student to fully immerse yourself in the language and culture.
Related:
- Read Nacel International reviews | View their site
- All French Summer Programs for High School Students
Explore Paris and the South of France with Travel for Teens
Paris is the very first city Travel for Teens began running trips to and with their history, local knowledge and strong connections there is no better way to discover the city of light than with TFT! Now you can expand your language learning and French adventures to the picturesque South of France.
Related:
Summer programs in France for college students
Spend Your Summer in Aix-en-Provence with CISAbroad
CISabroad offers affordable, fully supported study and intern programs in six continents, 26 countries, and 80+ locations. With this program, venture down to the South of France to take classes in French, sip espresso in cafes along the Cours Mirabeau, and really get a taste for la vie Provençal.
Related:
Take Your French to the Next Level with A Summer Internship in Paris with Boston University
The Boston University Paris Summer Internship Program offers students the opportunity to spend eight weeks living, studying, and interning in Paris, France. If you weren’t fluent before, you’ll have to be soon. Out of the frying pan and straight into the fire!
Related:
French summer school for adults
French Language and Cultural Immersion in Montreal with LanguagesAbroad
With program options for all language levels, you’re sure to find the right fit for you with LanguagesAbroad in Montreal. As a truly bilingual city, it’s perfect for beginners just getting their feet wet with French.
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Study French in Roanne with Ecole des Trois Ponts
Take your language studies to central France in Roanne with Ecole des Trois Ponts. Roanne will enthrall its students with its visionary architecture and ideal location near Lyon. Sip a glass of wine and have a great conversation off the beaten path. With a little extra practice, you might not even need to glance down at that phrasebook tucked under your napkin.
Related:
Avoid being les incompetents and really practice your pronunciation before your French summer program.
Make the most of French summer programs abroad
Once you’ve decided that you want to study French abroad this summer, it’s time to do some serious narrowing down! Head to the below resources to help you pick a program and location...and don’t forget ultimately fund it!
- Use MyGoAbroad to read reviews and compare programs side-by-side
- Utilize our Online Advisors and get matched with your dream program fo’ free
- Once you pick a program, head to FundMyTravel to crowdfund your internship
- Check out StudentUniverse for student travel discounts
- How to choose the right language school abroad
- 10 best ways to learn a new language
- Serious about fluency? Choose intensive language programs
With these resources you’ll be able to parlez en français with the best of em’!
[4 Countries to Learn French Abroad Other Than France]
Au revoir! À bientôt! Bon voyage!
You know what else we don’t have in America? Years of deep-rooted French history and culture to learn from. Allons-y!
These program options are just the crust of the baguette, so don’t feel limited if none of these click for you. Don’t forget that French is an official language of almost 30 different countries spread out across Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Australia and the Pacific, so there is definitely a French summer program out there for you! Get creative, pack your bags, download all of your favorite French language apps, and GO!
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