France
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Study abroad in France and explore world-famous heritage sites, try internationally renowned cuisine and spend days checking out artistic masterpieces.
From the cosmopolitan streets of Paris to the lush parks and gardens of Nantes, the sophisticated markets of Nice to the charming town of Arles, our study abroad programs in France offer it all.
Experience la vie française firsthand by studying abroad in France with us. Courses and excursions make your host city into your classroom. Take in an opera or ballet at Le Palais Garnier, spend the afternoon in Nantes’ Jardin des Plantes, explore chateaux in the south of France, and more.
Located in Provence on the Mediterranean coast, Arles is full of beautiful architecture and rich history, as the city has been inhabited by the ancient Romans and artists like Picasso and Van Gogh.
Place de la Republique
The Place de la Republique lies in the center of Arles and is the hub of much activity in the town. The Obelisque, erected in the square in the 1700s, stands proudly in the center of the square.
Theatre Antique
Constructed in 40 AD, le Theatre Antique is still one of the most well preserved structures in Arles. In 1651, the famous marble sculpture, Venus d'Arles, was discovered in several pieces in the theater by workmen who were digging a well. The Venus is now on display at the Louvre in Paris.
Les Arenes
Located near the Theatre Antique, les Arenes, or ampitheater, is one of Arles' ancient Roman treasures. Constructed in the first century, les Arenes still seats 25,000 people.
The sixth largest city in France, Nantes has a strong student culture, and provides a complete immersion into French culture in Western France, along the Loire River.
Le musée des Beaux-Arts de Nantes
Nantes' fine arts museum houses a wide variety of collections, dating from the 12th century through the modern era. With works from renowned artists like Courbet, Delacroix, Monet, Picasso and Rousseau, the museum serves as a great field study destination for IES Abroad art history courses.
Passage Pommeraye
An architectural delight and a shopper's must, this narrow passageway of galleries fills three levels and is covered by a canopied glass ceiling. Located between two streets in central Nantes, the Passage Pommeraye was listed as a historical monument in 1973.
Cathedral St. Pierre
Built in stages between 1434 and 1891, the Cathedral is famous for the elevation of its nave and the tomb of Francois II. This great masterpiece of the Renaissance carries a wealth of history as well as aesthetic pleasure.
Le Cours Cambronne
Constructed by local architect Mathurin Crucy in 1791, Cours Cambronne is a public square and garden famous for its statue of Pierre Jacques Étienne Cambronne, general during the French Revolution.
Nice is an international metropolis for research, business, technology, and innovation on the Southeastern Mediterranean coast compete with the rich culture, delicious cuisine, and the beautiful coast of the French Riviera.
As the capital and largest city in France, Paris is one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities and home to world-class universities, museums, cuisine, and historic landmarks.
Eiffel Tower
No trip to Paris is complete without a stop at the Eiffel Tower! Built in 1889 by Gustave Eiffel for the Paris Exposition, it was the tallest structure in the world at the time. Enjoy the view from the top by day and the romance of illuminated Paris by night.
The Louvre
The glass pyramid entrance leads visitors to the art-lover's dreams.
Notre Dame
Now under re-construction after a devastaing fire, this world-famous Gothic Cathedral remains a symbol of Paris. Take in its glory and 850+ years of history when you study abroad in Paris.
The Latest from France
First Week in France: Castles, Cats, and Ciabatta
It’s been a bit more than a week since I arrived in France, and I have so much to talk about I barely know where to begin. Thanks to staying awake for over 27 hours and then crashing for more than twelve, I managed to exchange jetlag for temporary extreme exhaustion; this, of course, wasn’t exactly ideal for navigating literal planes, trains, and automobiles in a country I’ve never visited before, but I managed to arrive in Nantes only slightly worse for wear.
Conditions of Being a Foreign Language Student Abroad
It’s truly amazing to see how quickly you can adapt to something. But it’s surely not a thing that comes easily, which I am learning very quickly as I finish out the month of January in Paris. There are several things that have required a lot of learning and concentration that I have already encountered in my time thus far. Sometimes those learning curves come with a bit of frustration, and other times they come with a feeling of reward and self-assurance.
A Review of Week One
The wait is over and I’ve finally begun my semester abroad in Paris. The first week has flown by faster than I could have imagined with some interesting additions (both expected and unexpected).
Recap of My First Week in France
A week ago today, I found myself in France for the first time in my life, and after seven days in this country, I’m certain that it will not be the last time. It was about 9 o’clock in the morning, still dark in Parisian winter, when I stepped off my airplane; I felt like a Kennedy, descending a small flight of stairs directly onto the tarmac of Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Lost it? Don't lose it
What’s the worst thing you could lose while traveling abroad? Your cash? Your credit cards? No, how about your passport? Imagine losing all of those things at once. I love to travel and have travelled abroad for years and that has been my worst nightmare. And it happened to me thirty minutes after landing in Nice, France to study abroad.
