France is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, known for its renowned history, art, and culture. Because of this, it’s also one of the most prestigious places to study abroad. If you’ve always wanted to study there but are worried about your credit load or missing out on campus life, you’re in luck! AIFS Abroad offers summer programs abroad in France, and, low key, it’s a magnifique time to go.
The famous French phrase “bon voyage” means “good voyage,” and here’s why summer is a great time for your study abroad voyage to France:
The Fairytale-esque Countryside
If you’ve ever fantasized strolling through the pages of an actual storybook, the French countryside is where your quest begins. To the northeast, the town of Colmer is rumored to be the inspiration for Belle’s village in Beauty and the Beast, and when you walk down it’s cobbled stone bridges over canals that earned the provincial town it’s nickname, “Little Venice,” you can almost hear the baker and shepherd singing to you, “Bonjour!” To the east you have Saumur and its castle straight out of a big-budget fantasy film, with a storied history you can learn about in the museum inside its fortifications. Summer is a great time to experience these places!
The North is Yours for the Taking
During the summer months, French residents from the north head south to the Mediterranean beaches for vacation in places like Cannes and Nice, leaving the region yours to explore. The first stop on your northern journey has to be to the once unconquerable Mont-Saint-Michel, a medieval fortress seemingly floating in the middle of the Couesnon River. If you really want a blast from the past, there’s the standing stones of Carnac. It’s believed the mysterious stones were built around 3300 BC. There’s 10,000 of these Neolithic marvels, giving England’s Stonehenge a run for its money.
Beautiful Beaches
As one of Europe’s biggest countries, it also boasts one of its most diverse arrays of coastline, with the Atlantic to the west and the Mediterranean to the east. Most associate Normandy with certain historical events, but it’s also home to gorgeous beaches such as Plage Yport, surrounded by towering cliffs that have inspired romantic poets and painters for centuries. Then along the French Riviera, the 46 beach municipalities are less severe, lined with palm trees instead of cliffs and soft sand hugged by the crystal clear water.
Pro-Tip: If you prefer the latter kind of French beach, AIFS Abroad offers a program in the artistic city of Cannes at Collège International de Cannes which is within walking distance of the Old Port and City Center!
French Festivals
With a country so rich in history and culture, France has a lot to celebrate. The big can’t-miss celebration during the summer is Bastille Day, honoring one of the most important events of the French Revolution with a humongous military parade, featuring thousands of soldiers and cavalrymen in formal military garb marching down Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Other events include the Tour de France and Fête de la Musique, France’s day of music, where citizens are encouraged to play music outside on the streets and in the parks. Large concerts offer free attendance on this day, as the whole idea is for musicians to play for fun, not for money.
Summer in Paris
The wave of French northerners on holiday includes many Parisians, making for a unique but fun vibe in the city — one that’s bustling with visitors rather than commuters. This opens you up to see the iconic postcard must-sees in Paris, like the Eiffel Tower, the Tuileries Garden, the Arc de Triomphe. Restaurants and cafés take advantage of the weather by spilling into the streets, and pop-up beaches and bars populate the Seine River, turning the city is an open-air extravaganza!
Pro-Tip: AIFS Abroad offers summer study abroad programs in Paris at various prestigious institutions! Learn more.
More Time for Museums
France is filled with so much to do that you may worry you won’t be able to get to experience it all. Well, fun fact: during summer, many museums and attractions offer longer hours. That means more time for the Louvre, Versailles, Notre-Dame, or heck, even Disneyland Paris! As a student in France during the summer, you may have access to discounts or free entry — one of the many perks doing a study abroad program!
If you’re still not convinced, try saying “I summered in France this year.” Doesn’t that feel good? Choose France as your summer study abroad destination and you could be saying that all the time!
If you’re considering a summer study abroad program in France, you’ve come to the right place. Here at AIFS Abroad, we offer incredible program options in Paris, Grenoble, and Cannes. With inclusions such as tuition, housing, insurance, excursions and activities, on-site staff, and emergency support, you’ll have a stress-free global education experience. Don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in French life and world-renowned culture while earning college credits in between spring and fall semester. Are you ready?
