Program Directed by
Julian Hartmann-Russell
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
Immerse yourself in French language and culture on this middle school summer program abroad. Explore cosmopolitan cities and off-the-beaten-track French villages while traveling from north to south. During your travels, explore Mont Saint-Michel and the D-day beaches in Normandy, savor the culture and hidden neighborhoods of Paris, swim and picnic beneath the Pont du Gard, and try zip-lining or surfing. Throughout the journey, engage in real-world conversations, language immersion, and hands-on experiences that deepen your understanding of French language, history, and identity.
- Highlights
• Discuss artistic masterpieces at the Louvre in French
• Enjoy a pain au chocolat as you relax at a sidewalk café
• Canoe to the Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct
• Go hiking or canyoning with professional guides
• Enjoy a pain au chocolat as you relax at a sidewalk café
• Canoe to the Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct
• Go hiking or canyoning with professional guides
“The two leaders on my trip were absolutely amazing. They were fun to be around, and taught lessons in creative ways.”
—Abigail M., Barrington Middle School, Barrington, RI
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow middle school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in New York, and fly together to Paris, France. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Normandy — 5 days
Travel by train to the idyllic seaside town of Trouville-Sur-Mer, the oldest seaside resort in France, with extravagant Belle Époque architecture and a welcoming Normand culture. Stay in a seaside inn and explore the Atlantic shoreline by bike, chat with Norman fishermen in the historic fish market, and adapt to the rhythm of life in France. Visit the Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey on its tidal island, and learn about World War II history at Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery. Language instruction begins on your first day, and continues throughout the program.
Paris — 4 days
Board a train to Paris and spend three days savoring the pleasures of Parisian life. Discover your favorite boulangerie, learn about some of Paris’ most well-known artists while strolling through Montmartre, taste escargots at grand Art Deco brasseries once frequented by Picasso and Sartre, and cruise down the Seine River to see the city illuminated by night. Explore the neighborhoods of the Marais and Île de la Cité, and visit our favorite local spots, as well as renowned sites such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, and the Musée d’Orsay.
Arcachon — 5 days
Journey to the village of Arcachon, on the sun-drenched Atlantic coast near Bordeaux. Enjoy the beach, hike on the pristine sands of Europe’s tallest dune, and try surfing or paddle boarding.
Paris — 1 day
Return to Paris by train, and enjoy a final celebratory dinner with your group.
Return — Travel Day
Fly with your group and a leader from Paris to New York, then continue to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.Â
Frequently Asked Questions
Review specific program questions here. For more general information, visit our full FAQ:
What are the main focuses of this program?
The goals of this middle school language immersion program are to improve your fluency in French by building vocabulary and confidence in speaking, and to explore France’s culture through outdoor activities and authentic interactions with locals. Each day, leaders hold dynamic conversational language lessons designed to help students let go of their inhibitions and communicate more easily. Language lessons are fun, interactive, and incorporate hands-on elements such as scavenger hunts, games, and informal interviews.
How much experience is required for this Middle School Language program?
One year of French language study is required for our middle school Language France program.
What is the Putney Language Pledge?
Each student signs a language pledge to speak only French during the program, not only with the many local people you meet, but also with your leaders and within your group. To learn more about our Language programs click here.
What is an Independent Project?
All students on Putney programs pursue an independent project as a way to more deeply engage with aspects of local culture that are of particular interest to them—in France, you might set up an easel on Picasso’s favorite street in Paris and paint in his style, create a book of traditional recipes, or spend part of a day shadowing fishermen that bring their daily catch to the village market in Arcachon.
What is the technology and cell phone policy?
To help students fully engage and immerse themselves in the Putney travel experience, we do not allow use of cell phones, tablets, or laptops on our Middle School programs. Students may have their cell phones during travel to and from the program. During in-country orientation, leaders facilitate a call home, then collect and securely store all phones until departure day. Throughout the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
How physically active is this program?
This is a physically active summer travel program. Students can expect to hike, bike, surf, swim, and do a lot of walking during this program. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities.
What are the accommodations for this program?
Accommodations in France include small, family-owned hotels and an established and well-located youth hostel in Paris. Rooms are a mix of doubles, triples, and quads, with common spaces for meetings and socializing. Leaders reside with students for the duration of the program.
What are meals like in France?
We begin each day with a traditional French breakfast at our residence. For lunches and dinners, we complement meals at restaurants and bistros with delicious picnics and plenty of stops at cafés and boulangeries.
What type of student is most successful on this program?
Putney’s Middle School Language France program is designed for middle school students (grades 7–8) who are curious, open-minded, and eager to step outside their comfort zone. They should be motivated to actively use French in daily life, even when it feels challenging, and willing to learn through mistakes as part of the process. Students who embrace cultural immersion, participate fully in group life, and engage with homestays and local experiences tend to gain the most from the program.
What makes France a good location for a Putney Student Travel program?
Putney’s Middle School Language France program offers full cultural and linguistic immersion in the home of one of the world’s most widely spoken and studied languages. Students are able to practice French daily in real-world settings, including at restaurants, during market visits, and guided activities, accelerating language growth. Combined with rich history, diverse regions, and vibrant culture, France provides a deeply engaging environment for both learning and exploration.
How does the Middle School French program compare to Putney’s other Language programs?
Like other Putney Language programs, this program emphasizes real-world language skill practice and cultural connection, with France itself offering broad regional diversity and deep connections to global French language and culture. Our middle school French immersion program is a two-week experience, similar to our other middle school programs and shorter than our high school Language programs. Unlike our high school Language programs, our middle school Language programs do not include a homestay.
What outcomes, skills, or growth can students expect to gain from this experience?
Students can expect to significantly strengthen their French language skills through daily immersion and real-world practice. They build confidence, adaptability, and communication skills by navigating new cultural and social settings. The experience also fosters independence, global awareness, and a deeper appreciation for French language and culture.
A Day in the Life: Trouville-sur-Mer​
Due to the traveling nature of this summer program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Trouville-sur-Mer, in Normandy
- Morning
8:00am
Have breakfast at your seaside hotel
9:00am
Engage in a language lesson focused on traditional cuisine
10:00am
Visit a fromagerie for a workshop with the local cheesemaker
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Shop at the Trouville market and make a picnic with a sampling of local delicacies
1:00pm
Enjoy your picnic and relax on the beach
3:00pm
Hop aboard a small ferry and head to the neighboring town of Deauville
- Evening
6:00pm
Try local seafood at a beachside restaurant in Deauville
8:00pm
Ferry back to Trouville and gather on the beach under the stars for Group Meeting
“Being able to order snacks and food by myself was a big accomplishment, and I gained a lot of cultural knowledge and new friends.”
—Jordan H., The Nightingale-Bamford School, New York, NY
