France is located to the north of Spain and shares a border with four other countries to the north and east. To the west, the Atlantic Ocean sprawls outward. Climate and topography vary greatly throughout this country, which is a little smaller than Texas. France is Europe's second largest country and is the world's fifth largest industrial power. France is also ranked as a cultural leader because of the French people’s flair for food, art, and language. Cuisine is an art and the French are known for their cathedrals, literature, sculptors and painters.

France is a country of amazing diversity. Aside from Paris, offering the best in fashion, art and cuisine, the provinces offer their own landscapes and cultures: the fashionable beaches of the Riviera, the elegant chateaux of the Loire Valley, the rocky coasts of Brittany, the breathtaking slopes of the Alps, and the charming farms and villages of Provence. Wherever you travel in France, you’re sure to enjoy its charms.

The French take great pride in their country and their language. People are generally more formal in social settings than you are used to in the United States. Anyone who works hard at improving his or her French and shows an interest in French culture will be welcomed.

High School in France

A semester of academic year in France will be the highlight of your high school years. You will be placed in a local school and will live with a French host family, allowing you to experience the life of a French teen firsthand.

You will attend Lycée, the senior secondary level of high school. Prior to age 15, students attend College, which is not to be confused with American colleges. Typically, students are only able to choose their subjects in the last year of school. Depending on the grade level you are placed in, you may be required to take compulsory courses or you may be able to choose from four core subject areas.

Host family placements are made throughout France, and most are in small to mid–sized towns. Family life is central to the French. Expect family outings and activities done together, including a lot of discussions about daily activities, world and cultural events. Children often remain at home during their university schooling, so don’t be surprised if you have older host siblings as well as other extended family members living with you. Your host parents will take an active interest in your school routine and will expect you to do so as well!

French teens spend a lot of time socializing with their friends and families. Activities such as sports, movies, and shopping are also favorites of French teenagers, so you can expect to have a lot in common with your French schoolmates!

Semester Program* Options:
Spring Semester: January to June
Fall Semester: September to January
*Three month programs also available

Academic Year Program Options:
Fall Start: September to June

For more information about CCI’s High School Abroad program or to download an application form and instructions, click here.

Independent Homestay in France

A homestay program is a wonderful opportunity to explore everything that France has to offer with a family as your guide. Host family placements can be anywhere in France. Your host family placement will include full board (3 meals per day).

The minimum age requirement for homestay programs in France is 16.

For more information about CCI’s Independent Homestay program for Adults (18 and over) or to download an application form and instructions, click here.

For more information about CCI’s Independent Homestay program for teens (14-17) or to download an application form and instructions, click here.

Top of Page

Language Schools in France

The best way to learn French is by studying it where it is spoken. CCI offers language school programs for teens and adults in two of France’s most popular destinations.

Paris
Just the mere mention of the name “Paris” evokes fashion, art, history, romance, and above all, European sophistication. The Seine River meanders through this “City of Light” that has been immortalized by poets, painters and writers throughout history. In your spare time, you will want to visit the Louvre and Musee D’Orsay for the chance to see the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Gauguin, Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh first-hand. In addition to visiting museums, you can people-watch under the Eiffel Tower, stroll along the Seine, shop in fashionable boutiques and linger late into the night in cozy cafes--all Parisian experiences that no one should miss!

The school is located in the heart of Paris, near the Louvre Museum, and Notre-Dame cathedral. The grand old Parisian building features bright, spacious classrooms with medieval fireplaces and carved ceilings. All rooms are equipped with audiovisual equipment. The school’s large cafeteria is perfect for meals and meeting other students. There is a maximum of 12 students per class and participants must be 18+.

Typical Activities and Excursions

• Museum visits
• Versailles
• Theater workshops and fashion shows
• Chartres Cathedral

Paris Junior Program
CCI’s Paris Junior Program for teens 13-17 is located in Bretigny sur Orge, a small, pleasant suburb southwest of Paris that was founded in Roman times. Its green landscapes are just 40 minutes from the center of Paris by train. Classes take place on the large, green campus of the I.U.T. (Institut Universitaire de technologie) of Bretigny, ideally located within walking distance form the town center. Accommodation is with welcoming French host families, and the weekly program of classes, activities and excursions is well-supervised. Contact CCI for specific dates.

Typical Activities:

• Paris city tour
• Visit to Versailles castle
• Notre Dame Cathedral
• Boat Cruise on the Seine River (bateaux mouches)

Typical Full-Day Excursions:

• Eurodisney
• Loire Valley
• Normandy region (Northern coast of France)

Antibes
If you enjoy the beach and water, Antibes is calling you! Located between Nice and Cannes on the French Rivera, Antibes is the second largest town on the Cote d’Azur. The town’s white sand beaches, provincial markets, antique art, and fashionable bistros and nightclubs attract many French vacationers in summer, particularly young people. You will have many opportunities to speak with the natives while exploring the city and the beach.

The school is a stone chateau located 10 minutes from the city center and nestled within a calm, green space filled with flowering bushes. The school is equipped with a self-service restaurant, numerous classrooms, a library, and several gardens. Maximum number of students per class is 15, but typically class size is limited to 10 students. Participants must be 18+ for the Antibes Standard Program. During summer months the enrollment reaches as many as 200 participants, while the rest of the year you will find 30-100 participants.

Antibes Junior Program
The Antibes Junior Program offers teens 14 to 17 the opportunity to meet young people from around the world in an academic and fun environment. The Junior Program provides more structure and support for high school age students than the standard program. Junior program classes take place at a converted French high school, and participants are offered a choice of homestay or dormitory accommodation. Contact CCI for program dates.

Typical Activities and Excursions

• Windsurfing, sailing, or kayaking
• Boat trip to the Lerins Islands
• Party on the beach at the famous Yacht Club d’Antibes
• Water sports amusement park (Aquasplash)

For more information about CCI’s Language School programs for Adults 18 and over or to download an application form and instructions, click here.

For more information about CCI’s Language School programs for Teens or to download an application form and instructions, click here.

Top of Page

Internships in France

Currently enrolled university students and recent grads can gain practical experience in one of several fields while deepening their understanding of French culture and business practices.

Interns are placed in voluntary internships throughout France in one of four fields: General Business, Travel/Tourism, Accounting/Finance, and Social Service. Room and half board (2 meals per day) is provided with host families.

Requirements: Participants must have the equivalent of at least two years of college level French study. Note: We do not place internship students in Paris.

For more information about CCI’s Internship Program or to download an application form and instructions, click here.

Group Programs for Teens

Teachers and other organizers of student travel can arrange group programs in France for teens through CCI. Programs can be arranged at any time of year and include fun cultural and sports activities, excursions, and homestay with French host families. Exciting excursions to Paris and other places of interest can be arranged depending on the program location. Homestay with French families gives students a first-hand glimpse into life as a member of a French family.

For more information about CCI’s Group Programs, click here.

Top of Page