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Study Abroad | Paris

France | Institut de Langue et de Culture Françaises | Summer 2025
Four students in Paris.

Select Your Program Option:

  • Summer 2025

Overview

Spend a summer in the iconic city of Paris, France with AIFS! Study a variety of academic program options at the Institut de Langue et de Culture Françaises (ILCF), a department of the highly respected Catholic University of Paris. Located in the 6th district, near the Luxembourg Palace and Gardens, close to the mythic Saint-Germain-des-Prés, ILCF welcomes 2,500 students every year.

Students taking Intensive French Language Session 1 can combine the program with the Intensive French Language Session 2 or with the French Culture Session 2 program.

Students taking Intensive French Language Session 2 can take the Intensive French course only.

Students taking French Culture Session 1 can take the French Fashion course only. Students taking French Culture Session 2 can take the Paris Arts course only.

What’s Included

The AIFS inclusive program fee includes all of the great features below in addition to many pre-departure, on-site and upon-return services to help students make the most of their time abroad.

Review Our Policies
  • Tuition

    Up to 10 semester credits depending on program and course selection

  • Courses

    Courses offered in Intensive French language (credit from ILCF) and Paris art history (credit from Fairfield University)

  • Housing

    in a double room in a Parisian homestay. Additional housing options are available, see Housing & Meals for more details

  • Meals

    Breakfast every day in your homestay

  • Cultural & Social Activities

    Sightseeing in Paris, visits to museums and monuments, walking tours, visits outside Paris, a Bateaux-Mouches boat trip as well as group dinners

  • On-Site Program Director

    to help with any questions or advice you may need throughout the program

  • Health & Safety

    24/7 emergency support and comprehensive insurance
  • Personal/Professional Development

    Access to the renowned Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment and alumni network
  • Green Initiative

Additional Options & Opportunities

  • AIFS Flight Package

    Round-trip flights from 25 U.S. gateways

    Airport transfers to and from campus

  • Optional Excursions

    Châteaux of the Loire Valley (Session 1, 2 days)

    Normandy and Brittany (Session 2, 2 days)

  • Housing Supplement

    Single room in a homestay including daily breakfast

    Student residence including daily breakfast or daily breakfast stipend

Program Details: Study Abroad | Paris Intensive French Language + French Culture

Dates

May 29, 2025July 26, 2025

Term

Summer

Institution

Institut de Langue et de Culture Françaises

Application Deadline

March 1, 2025

Inclusive Fees

$11,990

Eligibility

Open to First Year, Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Minimum of 2.0 GPA

Additional requirements may vary by course selection. See Academic section below.

Visa Requirements

A visa may be required for this program. Please contact your advisor or log into your portal for more information.

Areas of Interest

  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Foreign Language
  • French Language
  • Non-Credit (Enrichment)

Global Themes

  • Arts, Culture and Creative Industries
  • Language, History and Culture
Learn More About Global Themes

Academics

AIFS Abroad offers a unique global educational experience for students on this program, with the following academic options available:

The Intensive French Language course is taught at the Institut Catholique de Paris, a well-known and highly respected private institute approved and recognized by the French Ministry of Education. It offers professional training in three areas: Literature and Language, Science and Engineering, and Theology. It welcomes 2,500 students every year from all over the world who want to learn French.

The culture course is taught in English at the AIFS Study Center with credit awarded by Fairfield University. In 2020 Fairfield and AIFS partnered to develop a school of record relationship that will allow academic credit to be available for both Fairfield and non-Fairfield students. Course syllabi and faculty credentials are reviewed and approved by Fairfield University.

The AIFS Study Center is located in the 5th arrondissement, directly opposite Jussieu Metro station. It is nestled between the ancient Latin quarter with all its bookshops and cafés – and the botanical gardens. With a fully equipped classroom and student lounge, the study center offers students the opportunity to learn about French language and culture in a friendly, supportive space that is just a stone’s throw from main attractions such as Notre Dame cathedral or the Pantheon.

  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Foreign Language
  • French Language
  • Non-Credit (Enrichment)

French language study is offered at all levels from Beginner to Advanced/Superior, enabling students to communicate effectively in both written and spoken French. Through classes in grammar and French life, students learn to express themselves in most everyday situations.
Each session consists of 3 hours of class Monday through Friday in the morning plus classes on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons as well. Students take a language course for a total of 84 contact hours per session and a recommended 5 credits.

Placement is determined by a test taken prior to arrival in Paris and an oral test taken upon arrival, regardless of previous French study.

Sessions 1 + 2 run consecutively. Students staying for both sessions will receive 10 credits.

Session 1 Intensive French Language can be combined with French Culture Session 2 enabling students to take a course (taught in English) in French fashion for 3 credits. The culture course is taught at the AIFS Study Center in Paris with credit awarded by Fairfield University. Students on this program earn 5 for the language course (credit from ILCF) and 3 for the French fashion course (credit from Fairfield University).

Attendance is required for full credit. Unexcused absences are not permitted.

Transcripts  Credit for the Intensive French Language program is awarded by the ILCF. Credit for the French culture course is awarded by Fairfield University. Students on the French Language and Culture program will therefore receive two transcripts. 

View All Courses For Intensive French Language + French Culture
A group of students having a picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Living Abroad

Homestay

Parisian homestay carefully selected by the local staff.

  • Double room
  • Shared bathroom
  • Typical French breakfast every day
  • Single room in a homestay for a supplemental fee of $325 for Session 1 or Session 2 and $650 for Sessions 1 + 2 combined.

Optional Student Residence

A single or double room in a centrally-located student residence with international students.

  • Typical French breakfast every day or daily breakfast stipend
  • Session 1 or Session 2: $995; Sessions 1 + 2 Combined: $1990

Food

Paris is famous for its restaurants and haute cuisine, food meticulously prepared and artfully presented. Thanks to immigration, every French regional cuisine and almost every national cuisine in the world can be found in Paris; the city has more than 9,000 restaurants. In addition to restaurants, the café concept arrived in Paris in the 17th century. Since then, Parisian cafés have been considered centers for the city’s political and cultural life.

Fashion

Since the 19th century, Paris has competed for the title of Fashion Capital of the World, particularly when it comes to haute couture, clothing hand-made for special clients. Some of the largest fashion houses and designers call Paris home including Dior, Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, and Christian Lacroix. The city also plays hosts to two Fashion Weeks, held in January and July. 

Architecture

The city owes its style to its aligned street-fronts, distinctive cream-grey “Paris stone” building decoration, aligned top-floor balconies, and tree-lined boulevards. Amazingly, Paris has never been destroyed by catastrophe or war and has preserved even its earliest history, including many famous landmarks and buildings. Parisian architecture is best highlighted in the city’s churches (Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, Sainte Chapelle, La Madeleine, Notre Dame Cathedral), Palais Garnier Opera House, Louvre Pyramid and Eiffel Tower.

AIFS in Paris Director, Summer Program

Danica Debizet headshot.

Danica Debizet

Bonjour! “Hello” in French, one of the four languages I am fluent in, along with English, German and Slovak. You have quite the experience awaiting you in Paris; from the cultural activities offered, the number of museums to visit and the various people you will meet, it is sure to be an amazing time.

I studied for three separate MA degrees in Paris and Grenoble and have lived in four different countries. I consider myself a “global citizen” and am looking forward to helping you to adjust to your time abroad. As your Program Director, I am here to advise, listen, help and encourage you to make your stay in Paris a wonderful experience that you will always remember.

The Program Director provides academic advice, introduces you to the community and handles communication with the University.

Learning does not begin or end in the classroom. To help you get a true taste of French culture, a wide range of cultural activities and excursions are included in your program fee. The AIFS team organizes a variety of activities which usually include:

  • Sightseeing in Paris
  • Welcome and farewell dinners in typical French restaurants
  • Walking tours of districts such as the Marais district, Montmartre, Père Lachaise cemetery, the Paris Opéra area and the Left bank
  • Visits such as:
    • Rodin Museum
    • Cluny Museum
    • Orangerie Museum
    • Holocaust Memorial
    • Picasso Museum
    • The Conciergerie (where Marie Antoinette was held during the Revolution)
    • The Paris Mosque
    • Sainte Chapelle
    • Bateaux-Mouches boat trip along the River Seine
  • Half-day trips outside of Paris such as:
    • Giverny
    • Château of Vaux-le-Vicomte
    • Versailles

Students taking more than one session will go on the included day trips only once and the program fee reflects that.

A non-credit cultural course in French Cuisine is also available for an extra fee. Please note that some schedule conflicts between cultural activities and certain classes may be unavoidable.

Excursions

This program offers a range of day trips and excursions that will take you outside Paris and deepen your social, historical and cultural understanding of France. Previous excursions have included:

*Please note optional excursion fees may change slightly depending on the term. Fee will be shown at time of application.

Normandy, France.

Normandy and Brittany

Visit the Peace Memorial, several D-Day sites, St. Malo and Mont Saint-Michel. Includes round-trip transportation, accommodations, breakfast and all entrance fees.
*Minimum enrollment of 15 students is required for this excursion to run.

  • France
  • 2 Days
  • Estimated fee: $525*
An aerial view of Châteaux of the Loire Valley.

Châteaux of the Loire Valley

Visits and entrances to the city of Blois, Château of Chambord, wine cellar in Vouvray, Châteaux of Azay-le-Rideau and Chenonceau. Includes round-trip transportation, accommodations, breakfast and all entrance fees. 
* Minimum enrollment of 15 students is required for the excursion to run. 

  • France
  • 2 Days
  • Estimated fee: $525*
Barcelona,Spain
A group of happy students at a carnival.
A view of Prague.

Social identity & access

One of the best things you can do before departure is enter into the journey knowing that your time abroad will be unique to this experience. The resources, community, and support available to you when abroad will likely be different as well. In order to help you prepare for your experience, we have compiled many resources about social identity and access in specific locations abroad. Your program staff will also provide you with more details pre-departure and during orientation.

Learn more

Important Dates & Deadlines

Request Info

Open

Dates & Deadlines

Details

  • Early Application Deadline*
  • Application Deadline
    March 1, 2025
  • Deposit Deadline
    March 15, 2025
  • Scholarship Deadline
    March 1, 2025
  • Visa Deadline****
  • Optional Departure Flight from US***
    May 28, 2025
  • Program Begins
    May 29, 2025
  • Program Ends
    July 26, 2025
  • Optional Return Flight to US***
    July 26, 2025
  • *** Included for students on AIFS flight package.
  • **** AIFS Abroad offers visa processing services to applicants who enroll into the program by this date. All other applicants who enroll after this date will be responsible for securing their own visa with guidance from AIFS Abroad.

Optional Flight Package

Participants can select an optional transportation package for all AIFS Abroad programs that includes a round-trip flight from 25 U.S gateways and airport transfers to and from campus. Participants who choose to book their own flights will be responsible for connecting with the group at the program location and will need to make their own ground transportation arrangements from the airport.

Below are fees by departure city based on average historical costs and subject to change. If you select this option on your application, the total flight package price will be confirmed approximately one month prior to departure. Your program fee is guaranteed, and the optional flight package is an additional fee. Please note that once we have finalized the pricing for your flights the cost may change, and you will be responsible for making the additional payment if you want to participate in the flight package. Your program advisor will be in touch should there be any changes in the price of your flights.

Depature City

Fee

  • Atlanta
    $2,140
  • Boston
    $2,060
  • Buffalo
    $2,080
  • Charlotte
    $2,280
  • Chicago
    $2,240
  • Cincinnati
    $2,320
  • Columbus
    $2,120
  • Dallas
    $2,340
  • Denver
    $2,520
  • Des Moines
    $2,260
  • Detroit
    $2,260
  • Houston
    $2,280
  • Los Angeles
    $2,120
  • Miami
    $2,240
  • Minneapolis
    $2,180
  • New York
    $1,920
  • Newark
    $1,920
  • Orlando
    $2,180
  • Philadelphia
    $2,180
  • Phoenix
    $2,380
  • Pittsburgh
    $2,060
  • Raleigh/Durham
    $2,220
  • San Francisco
    $2,160
  • Seattle
    $2,420
  • St. Louis
    $2,260
  • Washington/Dulles
    $2,220
  • View more View less

See what others are saying

Two students walking in a field.

Ready to Study Abroad in Paris?

For more dates or questions, contact your program consultant:
(203) 399-5163 or email: aifsabroad@aifs.com