Paris: Gap Year

Focus on the French artisanal culture

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Culture

Get ready to experience all that Paris has to offer! A thoughtfully-planned cultural calendar is included with a range of activities to give a wholly encompassing pulse on the life of the city.

Once a month, students attend performances in some of Paris’ most iconic venues like the Bastille Opéra, the Comédie Française, the Théâtre de Chaillot, the Philharmonie de Paris, Théâtre de la Ville, and Théâtre des Champs Élysées. Take in a selection of concerts, plays, and dance.

Spectacles

Past calendars have included performances such as:

  • Ballet: Swan Lake at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées
  • Theater: La Règle du Jeu at La Comédie Française
  • Modern circus: Optraken at Le Monfort 
  • Opera: Falstaff at Opéra Bastille 

Day Trip

Versailles: The palace, located southwest of the center city, was the royal residence of multiple kings including King Louis XIV during the late 17th  and 18th centuries. Tour the opulent Hall of Mirrors, stroll through the magnificent gardens, and reflect on the lives that were lived in this colossal château.

Weekend Excursion

The Loire Valley: Visit some of the stunning châteaux that make up this UNESCO World Heritage site. The picturesque Chambord and Chenonceau are just two on the itinerary.

For further immersion and integration into French life, students have the opportunity to:

  • Become a volunteer assistant in an elementary or high school, helping the teacher or providing English conversation classes two to four hours per week
  • Pair up with a French student for cultural exchange and conversation in a tandem linguistique
  • Join an intramural sports team, dance troupe, choir, or other clubs
  • Volunteer at a non-profit organization
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