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
A Reflection on my Study Abroad Experience
A little more than a month after returning from France, I’ve had some time to reflect on my experiences in Europe and how they’ve affected me. Overall, my time abroad was an overwhelmingly positive venture; I had the opportunity not only to explore new places and new cultures, but also to grow as a person and become even more independent than I had been at my home college.
A Serendipitous Last Hurrah
I was absolutely thrilled when my mom came to visit me the week after February break; from when I left in early January to when I saw her again in early March was the longest I’ve ever gone without seeing her in person. Coming off a very busy week-long break, I had a somewhat outlined plan for the week that, at least for the most part, went to plan. My mom arrived on Saturday morning, so I met her at Charles de Gaulle airport and we drove to our first destination: Disneyland Paris.
A Vacation Taken Moments Before Disaster
Even though I've unfortunately had to return to the United States due to the current epidemic, I still have many stories to tell about my experiences in Europe. As you will undoubtedly be able to tell, my friends and I narrowly escaped a pretty sticky situation by accidentally scheduling our flights at the exact right moments as we embarked on a whirlwind tour of Europe during our winter break in late February.
The Quarantine Chronicle
It’s been a week since I’ve made my unexpected journey back to the United States. Besides being an unexpectedly early departure date, my feelings and my welcome home were much, much different than I ever expected them to be when I imagined them at the beginning of the semester.
My Unexpected Last Day in Paris
Halfway through. I was only halfway through my semester abroad in Paris when I was told to get back to the United States as quickly as possible, as cases of the coronavirus slowly began to increase daily by the tens and then by the hundreds in France.
