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. The three wings of the palatial museum take more than a day to conquer, but the strategic visitor can indulge in at the least the Louvre's most famous works including, the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the Virgin of the Rocks.
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
I Went to Six FC Nantes Matches During My Semester Abroad
During my time in France, I found myself going back to the local stadium again and again to watch FC Nantes play. I enjoyed it so much that I went to six matches, and I definitely consider myself a fan of the team now!
Preparing for Nantes, France!
A few days before I left for Nantes, France for the IES Abroad Nantes French Language Immersion and Area Studies program, I made a video discussing how I had been preparing.
The Truth About Life After Abroad
Being back in South Carolina after traveling around France for a semester has been…interesting. I don’t have another adjective to really describe it, honestly. It hasn’t been horrible, but it hasn’t been the most fun, either. I guess I’ll start by letting you know that I was scheduled to be in Europe until the 26th of December with my dad, traveling around France and Switzerland and meeting up with some of the friends I made abroad and their families.
A Day in the Nantes Life
I’ve been wanting to write a blog post like this since before I got to Nantes, because it’s one of the things that helped me most when I was deciding if I wanted to go abroad, and if I did go, to where. I think life in a foreign country and city sounds so bizarre and intimidating, like you’ll never nail down a routine or a sense of comfort. Hopefully, this blog will help you realize you can find routine, comfort, and stability wherever you go.
Fall Break Feats and Failures in France: Part 2
As half of us headed out for Nice, we were so excited to once again escape the cold and the rain from the beginning of the week, as we heard it almost never rained in Nice. By this point in my fall break saga, I feel like you can probably guess what the weather was like when we arrived. Yep, it was pouring. And cold. And we couldn’t find the bus to take us to our Airbnb, forcing us to stand out in the rain for about half an hour or more. But…then we found our cute little place.
