University of Paris IV - La Sorbonne, France:
Cultural Activities
3-day London stopover
Depart from the United States and arrive in London, one of the world’s most exciting capitals. Meet your Summer Advantage representative and transfer to your accommodation. At the welcome dinner you will get the chance to meet your fellow students. The next morning, a local guide will show you the splendors of London on a guided tour. See Trafalgar Square, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London. On day three, say farewell to London and depart by Eurostar high-speed train for the 3-hour ride from London to Paris.
Accommodations, airport transfers, breakfasts, dinners, the sightseeing tour and entrance fees are all included in your program fee.
Welcome Reception in Paris
Bienvenue à Paris! Dive right into Parisian life with a welcome reception and informal orientation session hosted by AIFS staff to prepare for the summer ahead!
Guided Sightseeing Tour of Paris
On your sightseeing tour, a local guide will introduce you to the most beautiful and intriguing aspects of the City of Light, from the medieval pageantry of Notre Dame Cathedral to the many monuments to Napoleon’s conquests. In a city full of famous sights, you’ll see the best of them. Seine Boat Ride See many of Paris’ classic sights on a boat trip along the Seine River.
Walking Tours
Marais
Walk through one of the most beautifully-preserved quarters of Paris, the Marais. With Place des Vosges as its focal point, this neighborhood is full of impressive private mansions once inhabited by the rich and famous, as well as old synagogues and museums that retrace the area’s history.
Montmartre
This hilltop quartier, once covered by windmills and vineyards and frequented by artists, is still a colorful and picturesque neighborhood. Climb the steps that lead up to the Basilica of Sacré Coeur, discover the winding cobbled streets still lined by artists, and the district’s rich past.
Conciergerie and Sainte Chapelle
Explore a well-known little island, the Île de la Cité. See the beautiful, soaring architecture of the Sainte-Chapelle, learn the history of the Conciergerie, once the prison of Marie Antoinette, and wander through delightful flower markets.
Père Lachaise
Visit one of the most famous cemeteries in the world. See the final resting place of La Fontaine, Molière, Abélard and Héloïse, Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison.
Catacombs
Brave souls will enjoy venturing into L’Empire de la Mort. Wander through an immense maze of tunnels dug under the city to which, in 1786, all the bodies from Cimetière des Innocents were exhumed and moved.
Latin Quarter
This quartier, which extends around the Sorbonne, derives it name from the language in which classes were originally taught when the university first opened. Learn of its literary heritage and discover the nooks and crannies of the Left Bank, stretching from the Boulevard St. Michel to the Panthéon, the final resting place of many great French citizens.
Versailles
The Palace of Versailles, commissioned by King Louis XIV in the 17th century, was the official residence of the kings of France for more than 100 years. In its heyday Versailles was the most elegant and opulent palace in Europe and still remains one of the most famous buildings in the world today, complemented by its beautiful gardens and fountains. With AIFS you will have the chance to visit the beautiful complex of Versailles and be taken back to the pre-revolutionary glory of France’s golden years.
Museums
Musée d’Orsay
Consisting primarily of late 19th century French works, whose subjects center around Paris itself, the Orsay is an essential visit for all newcomers to the city. The combination of works by Renoir, Manet, Monet, Van Gogh and Degas make it easy to trace the influence of one group of artists on another. The period and architecture of the building, which blends classicism with modernity, along with the extraordinary light from its immense windows, creates an ideal environment in which to view this collection.
Musée du Louvre
The Louvre’s reputation precludes almost any need for introduction. Fully explore the majesty of this immense museum, seeing for yourself such famous works as the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and Venus de Milo.
Musée Rodin
Explore the Musée Rodin and view the artist’s most famous works including The Thinker and The Kiss. With impressive gardens of over 2,000 rose bushes and works by artists such as Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh, this museum truly has something for everyone.
Optional Excursion
Optional weekend trip to Normandy ($345)
Two nights in St. Malo, including visits to Mont St. Michel, Caen and D-Day Beaches.
Friday, July 11
Afternoon departure for Brittany to spend the night in
St. Malo, a beautiful town still surrounded by ramparts built to defend
the town from Corsair pirates.
Saturday, July 12
Morning free to explore
St. Malo. After lunch drive along the coast to visit Mont St. Michel
with its former Benedictine abbey. This medieval abbey, once an important
pilgrimage site, is surrounded by water at high tide. Perhaps one of
the greatest examples of medieval architecture, the abbey has been a
monastery, prison and a strategic location during World War II. Return
to St. Malo for the night.
Sunday, July 13
Early morning departure to
the Peace Memorial in Caen. Visit the Peace Museum, an innovative exhibit
designed to present the reality of the losses incurred during the two
world wars, and stimulate thinking on how to promote peace around the
world. Afternoon visits to several D-Day sites in the area before returning
to Paris.
Fees for this excursion include accommodations, transportation, guides, entrance fees and breakfasts. Students must enroll and pay for these excursions by April 30. Students who apply after the deadline may enroll subject to availability. If a minimum enrollment of 10 is not achieved, the trip may be cancelled. Once paid for in the U.S. optional excursions are non-refundable. Dates and itineraries are subject to change.
