France
We are thrilled to be offering a delightful program in France this upcoming Summer of 2027. Explore French literature, history, and music from the Middle Ages through the 20th century. Students will deepen their cultural knowledge and develop intercultural competence and examine how language and artistic expression have shaped French society over time. Discover France firsthand — from the art and opera of Paris and the masterpieces of the Louvre, to the D-Day beaches of Normandy, the medieval history of Caen and Rouen, and the Arthurian legends of Brittany. Explore music from the medieval era to the jazz age, history and culture through the centuries, and delve into our Rochester ties to Rennes, while savoring local wineries, cheeses, and storybook villages along the way.Ìý
Info Sessions:
Please join us to learn more about this Summer program!
September 29th @ 12:10-1:00pm in GAC 131
October 23rd @ 12:10-1:00pm in GAC 127
Program Details
Program Dates
This program will run from May 17- June 4, 2027.Ìý
Program Itinerary
Day 1:ÌýMonday, 5/17/27
- Flight from Toronto to Paris. Welcome to France!
Day 2: Tuesday 5/18/27
- Check into your hotel and get settled in.
- Visit the famous Eiffel Tower
- Lunch CRUISE on the Seine ORÌý Batobus Tour.ÌýStations: Tour Eiffel, Invalides, Musee d'Orsay (Impressionism and contemporary art), Saint Germain des Prés, Notre Dame, Jardin des Plantes, Place de la Concorde, LeÌýLouvre and Hôtel de villeÌý
- Museum visit to Les InvalidesÌý
- Dinner altogether and evening stroll throughout our neighborhood
Day 3: Wednesday 5/19/27
- Breakfast at hotel
- Visit to the PantheonÌýLiterature, Politics and History: Those great men and women who made history, with a strong Caribbean, and American Presence : Voltaire, Rousseau, Hugo, Zola, Malraux, Genevoix / Dumas, Césaire, Baker - And the French Resistants
- Bibliothéque Sainte-GeneviéveÌý
- Sainte Chapelle and ConciergerieÌý
- Picnic in Luxembourg Gardens
- An afternoon at the Sorbonne University and also to the College of France
- Dinner??
Day 4: Thursday 5/20/27
- Spend the entire day at Versailles
Day 5: Friday 5/21/27
- Spend the morning at the Musee Carnavalet, a lovely museum that highlights the History of Paris.Ìý
- Lunch
- After lunch, you will have a guided tour of Notre Dame Cathedral.
- Experience a cooking class at Cordon Bleu
Day 6: Saturday 5/22/27
- Start your day at the Butte Montmartre, a massive hill with the stunning Sacre-Coeur basilica at the top.Ìý
- Visit the Musee de Cluny
- Enjoy an magical opera performance at the 19th century grand Opera Garnier.Ìý
Day 7: Sunday 5/23/27
- Spend the day in Monet's Garden in Giverny
- Visit the stunning Chateau Guillard, a medieval castle overlooking the River Seine.
Day 8: Monday 5/24/27
- Explore Rouen, known for its cobblestone streets, gothic churches and medieval architecture. Claude Monet painted many famous buildings in Rouen.
Day 9: Tuesday 5/25/27
- Depart for Caen with a first stop at the Etretat Cliffs. Picture white chalk cliffs with natural arches spire-like rock formations.Ìý
- Explore Caen, including the Inner harbor, the charming Vaugueux District complete with cobblestone streets and historic stone homes and walk through the famous Chateau de Caen.Ìý
Day 10: Wednesday 5/26/27
- More sightseeing in Caen. Visit the Museum des Beaux Arts and then on to two famous abbeys, founded by William the Conqueror. He and his wife founded Abbaye aux Dames (for Women) and Abbaye aux Hommes (for Men)
- After lunch, visit the Ornavik Viking historic park.Ìý
Day 11: Thursday 5/27/27
- A powerful and solemn day. Go to the Beaches of Normandy, where the historic D-Day landings occurred during World War 11. Afterwards, go to the Caen Memorial Museum, one of the largest museums in Europe that explores WW11, the Normandy landings and the Cold War.Ìý
Day 12: Friday 5/28/27
- Take a day trip to Falaise to visit William the Conqueror's Chateau de Falaise, built in the 12th and 13th century. The fortress was originally built for the Dukes of Normandy
- Tour the new Museum of Resistance
- Enjoy a stop at Manoir de Granouet-Cambremer
Day 13: Saturday 5/29/27
- Enjoy the Biscuiterie in the morning before heading to Mont St. Michel, a famous Medieval abbey and village that was built on a tidal island. A really unique fortress that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its Gothic architecture and history.
Day 14: Sunday 5/30/27
- Explore the city of Saint-Malo, a fortified city in Brittany. Large granite walls surround the city relating to its deep history of legal piracy set firth by the Kings.
- Free time at the beach and to enjoy the city on your own.
Day 15: Monday 5/31/27
- Visit of the city of Dinan and the castle of Queen Ann.
- Walk along the town's ramparts up to the Sainte-Catherine Tower, for a breathtaking view over the Rance.
- Drive to Combourg and visit the romantic castle of Combourg in a charming and quaint French village.Ìý
Day 16: Tuesday 6/1/27
- Take the train to Rennes where you will be staying for the last four nights.Ìý
- Tour the provincial Opera House and City Hall, as well as a walking tour of this beautiful city.
Day 17: Wednesday 6/2/27
- Free time in Rennes for the morning
- Off on a mystical, mysterious journey to the Broceliande Forest. Known to be an enchanting and magical woodland forest that is tied to Arthurian legends and romance of Merlin and Lady of the Lake. Enjoy a lunchtime picnic while hearing stories of magical wonder.
Day 18: Thursday 6/3/27
- Tour the Parliament of Brittany, the Franco-American Institute and the US Consulate.
- Relax in the grass at the city park in the heart of Rennes. See am Aviary, French and English gardens as well as a large botanical garden.
- Free time in Rennes and a last time to pick up some treasures from your time in lovely France.
Day 19: Friday 6/4/27
- Early morning departure by bus back to Paris with Charles de Gaulle airport as your destination. Flight back to Toronto and eventually back to ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´.Ìý
Course Information
LST. 314 France through the Ages: Paris, Normandy and Brittany
This course explores French literature, history, and music from the Middle Ages through the 20th century. Students will deepen their cultural knowledge and develop intercultural competence as they examine how language and artistic expression have shaped French society over time. No prior knowledge of French or music is required.Ìý
Program Costs & Funding
Program Fee includes:
- Round trip airfare
- All accommodations
- All activities, entry fees, tours, etc. listed in the itinerary
- All in-country transportation
- All meals part of the itinerary
- Transportation to and from the Rochester airport
- International travel and medical insurance
Not Included:
- Passport (must be valid at least 6 months past the return date of the program)
- Additional meals (meals not in the itinerary)
- Miscellaneous expenses (such as souvenirs, personal care items, etc.)
ÌýFunding Sources:
For SPARK eligible students, you will receive the $1,500 SPARK Grant from the Center for Life's Work. SPARK students will also receive a three credit tuition offset which covers summer tuition for this course. Students will still need to pay the $30 course registration fee.Ìý
For non-SPARK eligible undergraduate students, you may be eligible for funding from the Center for International Education. You will also receive a two credit offset which covers a majority of the summer tuition for this course. You will also need to pay the $30 course registration fee.Ìý
Vaccination Guidance
Visit the following sites to see the recommended immunizations and medications for your program. Talk with your family and your physician to understand which ones you may need to travel.Ìý
Application (Due November 8th)
Please complete the by November 8th.Ìý