Adventure Travel Gap Year Programs in France

Explore the dream destinations of South Africa, France, and Thailand on a comprehensive 6-month journey. Experience an exceptional blend of cultural immersion, wildlife conservation, and community involvement. You'll start your journey by contributing to wildlife conservation in South Africa amidst the Big 5 conservation area. Next, you'll hop on to France where you will immerse yourself in French culture and language during an unforgettable summer in Loire Valley, studying at one of the country's oldest universities. Finally, venture to your third country - Thailand - where you will volunteer as an English teacher in the scenic Hua Hin island. The entire experience offers invaluable cultural insights, skill development, and lifelong memories; igniting passions for social and environmental causes as you embark on a journey toward becoming a dedicated global citizen effecting positive change.

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and medical initiatives. GoEco operates in over 50 countries, providing unique cultural immersive experiences that aim to make a positive impact on the environment and society. The organization also offers internships and academic programs for students. GoEco provides safe and meaningful experiences while promoting sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions.

Spend a full academic year abroad—24 weeks of cultural immersion, travel, and personal growth. Begin with an adventurous semester exploring diverse destinations, then spend a second semester deepening your experience at a language campus. In Semester 1, choose one of EF’s curated 12-week multi-destination programs—European Horizons, East Asian Odyssey, Spanish in Motion, or The Globetrotter—and explore several countries, lifestyles, and cultures. Along the way, you’ll pick up local language basics, join hands-on cultural experiences, and broaden your worldview while moving between vibrant cities. In Semester 2, settle in at one of EF’s 11 international language campuses—cities like Tokyo, Seoul, Rome, Barcelona, Paris, or Nice. Live locally, make deeper connections, and gain practical skills. Throughout your Year, you’ll live in EF student residences or homestays, travel with your cohort, enjoy weekly cultural activities and weekend excursions, and receive 24/7 support. Flights, housing, local language basics, and optional college credits are included. With global perspective, new challenges, and unforgettable experiences, The Gap Year is more than travel—it’s a transformation.

Seamester is the educational adventure of a lifetime! For more than 40 years, we have offered unparalleled educational voyages where students spend a semester at sea sailing between islands, countries, and even continents. We design our programs to provide engaging learning experiences with real outcomes in ways that are impossible to replicate in the traditional classroom. Living as part of a close-knit team on an ocean-going vessel, our students learn fundamental lessons beyond academics: teamwork, leadership, and personal responsibility. They receive academic credit from the University of South Florida, along with PADI scuba certifications and IYT sailing certifications. Our programs are designed to inspire students to realize that it’s the journey, not the destination, that matters the most.

Experience the ultimate European adventure every summer, traveling safely and comfortably between cities via train so you have the maximum time exploring. Get ready to marvel at the history and culture of the Old World, from the art and violence of Renaissance Italian city-states via the high refinement of Viennese coffee houses to the color of Barcelona and the Romantic drama of the French Alps. Join a group of like-minded travelers for this fully escorted four-week adventure of a lifetime. This trip will take you sightseeing across Europe's finest cities.

Join World Class Programs on safe, educational, and worldly experiences in France! Our summer study abroad program is for high school teens from all academic backgrounds who are excited about immersing themselves in French culture and lifestyle. This pre-college program offers diverse course study options, including Art History, Fine Arts, Philosophy, and French language and cuisine. Our unique experiential learning method allows students to explore and engage in French culture safely! We encourage them to immerse themselves in the language no matter their level. Our knowledgeable and passionate staff is always available to help them along the way! Explore France by living in the heart of Paris and taking classes with our World Class Programs instructors. Enjoy day trips to Normandy, Mont Saint-Michel, Lyon, Orleans, Monaco, Tours, Grenoble, and other locations!

France is known for its sophistication and appreciation for the finer things in life and its range of famous landmarks. From the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre – you’ll never run out of things to do. Venture outside the capital, and things get even more interesting. Summer is for fine weather and lounging on France’s famous beaches. Experience the raw power of the Atlantic Ocean in Hossegor, or lounge at a luxurious beach club on the Mediterranean. The French Alps are most dramatic in winter with their towering peaks and charming mountain towns. Spring sees the countryside covered in cherry blossoms, signaling the spring harvest, complete with fresh wine from one of the many wineries. As an au pair in France, you too, can develop a palate for good food, fine wine, and its surrounding beauty. You will be a part of the family. Your host family takes care of your lodging and utilities, which means your salary is yours to spend as you please.

Before and beyond college, Baret Scholars explores 7 regions of the world, their passions, and their purpose. Baret Scholars is a global gap year program that brings together a cohort of 180 high school students from around the world to journey across 7 regions (North/South America, Europe, Africa, Middle East, India, and China/Asia), over 180 days, in a semi-structured and self-guided gap year experience. This will be their best year yet. Named after Jeanne Baret, the first woman to circumnavigate the globe, Baret Scholars provides students with a comprehensive and holistic understanding of the world, paving the way for years of fulfillment and achievement. The program serves as a foundation for their future, fostering cultural literacy, a global perspective, and a desire to create a better world.

Based in an 18th-century chateau in Normandy, France, Creative Semester is a 9-week multidisciplinary program that helps you think and see like an artist, connect with your peers, and grow your creativity. Through shared projects, discussions about art and artists, and moments of reflection, you’ll discover the joy of creating in community. At the heart of the program is collaboration across disciplines including film, photography, writing, studio art, and ceramics. Build skills through workshops and collaborate on projects that blend ideas and mediums. Paint a mural, create a zine, shoot a documentary, or build and fly kites on the beach, the possibilities are as open as your imagination. Each day invites experimentation, connection, and reflection, drawing inspiration from the landscapes, culture, and creative spirit of Normandy. The program includes excursions including the D-Day Landing Sites, medieval Bayeux and Mont-Saint-Michel, a 7-day trip to Rouen, and a 5-day trip to Paris. It is taught entirely in English. We welcome all levels of experience. Connect with creative individuals, cultivate new artistic perspectives, and discover where your creativity can take you!

Sail Racing Academy offers tailor-made gap year programs that cater to all interests. From one month to one year and from cruising to racing in the UK, the Mediterranean, or the Caribbean, we have it all. Our experienced skippers are happy to work alongside you to help you gain experience and qualifications. We aim to find the perfect balance between practical hands-on experience, theory, and fun. You will be an active part of our team. During regattas, when not sailing, there is always a fully packed schedule of social events. This is a great time to have fun, as well as get to know other sailors and develop your network. Between regattas, there is always plenty to do with maintenance, repairs, and cleaning. It’s a good time to learn about the mechanics of sailing. Plus, get to see and enjoy the beauty of each location where the yacht anchors.

This pack is designed for yacht stewards and stewardesses who want to stand out and have additional skills for a successful career onboard a superyacht. STCW Basic Safety Training: This course provides students with an important introduction to working at sea, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to work safely onboard a seagoing vessel. Once they obtain STCW Basic Safety Training, they meet the minimum mandatory requirement for working on superyachts and commercial vessels. GUEST Introduction to Interior training: The G.U.E.S.T program is accredited by the International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI) and is the only internationally accredited maritime hospitality program available to crew working in the luxury superyacht sector. RYA Powerboat Level 2: This two-day comprehensive course covers all aspects of powerboats, boat handling, safety, and pilotage. Training vessels used include the 6.5m Capelli Tender.