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
The Day is Actually Coming
In this blog, I talk about my prior apprehensions, expectations, and questions about studying abroad. I reflect on this approaching experience as an opportunity for cultural enrichment and personal development.
Reflection can be Hard . . . Au Revoir Nantes!
I’ve been struggling with the question, “How was study abroad?” How does one answer that question? How do I say that it was the best four months of my life, but that I still missed all my wonderful friends and family back home? If I go on and on about how life-changing it was, does that make the people back home feel unworthy or discredited? It isn’t that I was away from them, it is that I was away from myself; everything I knew.
Was it Worth the Worry?
I decided to document how I was feeling the night before leaving for my study abroad program. As you can tell, I wasn't feeling great. I was overwhelmed with anxiety and fear that this experience was not going to be for me. I was scared to leave my family, freinds, a familiar language, and my schedule. I knew I would have fun once I arrived, but there was no way to convince myself of this at the time. Everything felt like I was about to make the biggest mistake of my life.
Reflecting on my French Adventure
Just like that, my time in Nice has come to an end. As I settle back into American life, I can’t help but reminisce on my favorite memories from France. It was truly an adventure of a lifetime, and I’m so grateful that I lived it. My cultural awareness improved exponentially, I met amazing friends, and most importantly, I stepped outside of my comfort zone.
Grocery Shopping in Paris
If you walk down the streets of Paris, you’ll notice the endless supply of street cafés and bakeries. If you’re visiting for a week, it makes sense to go to several of these places every day to eat and drink coffee or tea. However, if you’re staying for an entire summer and living in an apartment, going out all the time is inconvenient. That’s where going grocery shopping comes in.
