France Touching the Sky: Life in the Magnificent Alps

Orientation in Paris

Live like a Parisian in a historic quartier of the French capital. Join locals in a café for a morning croissant before navigating the ancient avenues to the Champs Elysées, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre. Spend the afternoon using your French to find the best traditional baguettes, cheeses, and local specialties for a picnic on the famous left bank of the Seine. Explore the Monmartre art district beneath the soaring spires of Sacré Coeur and dine at tiny cafés that serve regional specialties from across France. Master the Metro and venture across the city to take in an outdoor film at the summer cinema festival, or watch the sun set over the Jardins de Luxembourg.

Homestay and Alpine Adventure

Your alpine adventure begins in picturesque Annecy. Known as the Venice of the Alps for its lovely canals, medieval cobblestone streets, and stunning mountain lake, Annecy is the perfect introduction to the culture and landscape of the Alps. Following your two-week homestay, immerse yourself in the dramatic landscape as your alpine guide leads you on treks through lush meadows, and climbs to glacier-capped peaks. Follow ancient routes through the mountains, and practice French with locals in centuries-old villages. Your program concludes with a hike across the Italian border for an overnight in the mountains.

Sample activities:
Overnight in a traditional Alpine refuge; mountain bike through the Clarée Valley; sample tasty polenta Piémontaise, a regional delicacy.

Sample host community:
Briançon