Program Directed by
Julian Hartmann-Russell
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
France & Switzerland
Art & Science from Paris to the Alps
Travel to France and Switzerland this summer to immerse yourself in art history, culture, cuisine, and cutting-edge scientific innovation. Begin in Paris, exploring its neighborhoods, museums, cafes, and monuments, then experience France’s food and farming traditions in the gastronomic hub of Lyon. Continue east to Geneva and learn about international diplomacy on a behind-the-scenes visit to the United Nations. Visit CERN, the world-class particle physics research facility and see the institute’s groundbreaking work in physics, biotechnology, astronomy, and climate science. End your program in the small town of Martigny to explore this spectacular Alpine region of lakes, emerald valleys, and glacier-covered peaks.
- Highlights
• Discover the artists and history of Montmartre with an art historian
• Visit a market and learn how to prepare classic French recipes in Lyon
• Kayak at sunset on Lake Geneva, surrounded by soaring Alps
• Hike in the mountains of Martigny with the legendary Grand St. Bernards
• Visit a market and learn how to prepare classic French recipes in Lyon
• Kayak at sunset on Lake Geneva, surrounded by soaring Alps
• Hike in the mountains of Martigny with the legendary Grand St. Bernards
“Our daughter had a wonderful experience. It was a perfect balance of fun and educational. The leaders were excellent and the trip was very well planned.”
—Aimee & Sam B., Pacific Palisades, CA
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 high 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.
Paris, France — 4 days
Begin with an in-depth orientation in the cultural capital of Paris, then delve into the art and history of this legendary city, which has drawn painters, writers, architects, philosophers, and culinary greats over the centuries. Stay in a renovated maison particulier in the heart of Le Marais, a historic neighborhood within walking distance of the Ȋle de la Cité, the Latin Quarter, and the city center. Meet with art historians to examine the famous works housed in the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, and the contemporary collections at the Centre Pompidou. Investigate the past with a world-renowned historian on an excursion to the Chartres Cathedral and a visit to the Musée de l’Armée within the gold-domed Les Invalides, site of Napoleon’s tomb. Wander through the Jardin du Luxembourg, where Parisians come to stroll and relax; visit the Grand Mosque of Paris; and enjoy a Moroccan feast. Descend into the underbelly of Paris during a visit to the famous catacombs, or enjoy a sunset view of the Eiffel Tour during a boat trip on the Seine River.
Lyon, France — 3 days days
Travel to Lyon, France’s third largest city—a renowned capital of gastronomy. Delve into Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, a historic indoor food market where vendors sell truffles, fine cheeses, and all manner of epicurean delights. Join a local chef for an in-depth French cooking class, and learn to prepare quenelles (fish dumplings), Lyonnaise potatoes, and praline tart. Explore Lyon’s historic center by bike, and develop a deeper understanding of the city’s development and architectural secrets.
Geneva, Switzerland — 3 days
Next, cross the border into Switzerland and arrive in the lakeside city of Geneva. Visit the United Nations Office, and learn about the UN's efforts to address environmental challenges and encourage sustainable development. Immerse yourself in the world of physics with a guided visit to the new Science Gateway of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), home of the Large Hadron Collider particle accelerator and birthplace of the World Wide Web. Meet with researchers there to discuss their cutting-edge work in physics, biotechnology, astronomy, and climate science. Learn about the history and cultural impact of chocolate during a workshop with an award-winning chocolatier, and head out for a sunset kayak on Lake Geneva.
Martigny, Switzerland — 3 days
End your adventure in Martigny, a small mountain town at the crossroads of Switzerland, France, and Italy surrounded by lakes, lofty peaks, glaciers, and forests. Visit the Roman Amphitheater, explore the collections of a contemporary art museum, and sample Swiss fondue. Travel with a local guide to the nearby Great St. Bernard Pass, one of the highest mountain passes in Switzerland. Explore the stunning Alpine landscapes, learn about the pass's significance for trade and transportation over the centuries, and hike along a historic trade route accompanied by the Great St. Bernard dogs famous in this region. Explore cascading waterfalls before returning to Geneva, and enjoy a final meal with your group to celebrate your adventures together.
Return — Travel Day
To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
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 high 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.
Paris, France — 4 days
Begin with an in-depth orientation in the cultural capital of Paris, then delve into the art and history of this legendary city, which has drawn painters, writers, architects, philosophers, and culinary greats over the centuries. Stay in a renovated maison particulier in the heart of Le Marais, a historic neighborhood within walking distance of the Ȋle de la Cité, the Latin Quarter, and the city center. Meet with art historians to examine the famous works housed in the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, and the contemporary collections at the Centre Pompidou. Investigate the past with a world-renowned historian on an excursion to the Chartres Cathedral and a visit to the Musée de l’Armée within the gold-domed Les Invalides, site of Napoleon’s tomb. Wander through the Jardin du Luxembourg, where Parisians come to stroll and relax; visit the Grand Mosque of Paris; and enjoy a Moroccan feast. Descend into the underbelly of Paris during a visit to the famous catacombs, or enjoy a sunset view of the Eiffel Tour during a boat trip on the Seine River.
Lyon, France — 3 days days
Travel to Lyon, France’s third largest city—a renowned capital of gastronomy. Delve into Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, a historic indoor food market where vendors sell truffles, fine cheeses, and all manner of epicurean delights. Join a local chef for an in-depth French cooking class, and learn to prepare quenelles (fish dumplings), Lyonnaise potatoes, and praline tart. Explore Lyon’s historic center by bike, and develop a deeper understanding of the city’s development and architectural secrets.
Geneva, Switzerland — 3 days
Next, cross the border into Switzerland and arrive in the lakeside city of Geneva. Visit the United Nations Office, and learn about the UN's efforts to address environmental challenges and encourage sustainable development. Immerse yourself in the world of physics with a guided visit to the new Science Gateway of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), home of the Large Hadron Collider particle accelerator and birthplace of the World Wide Web. Meet with researchers there to discuss their cutting-edge work in physics, biotechnology, astronomy, and climate science. Learn about the history and cultural impact of chocolate during a workshop with an award-winning chocolatier, and head out for a sunset kayak on Lake Geneva.
Martigny, Switzerland — 3 days
End your adventure in Martigny, a small mountain town at the crossroads of Switzerland, France, and Italy surrounded by lakes, lofty peaks, glaciers, and forests. Visit the Roman Amphitheater, explore the collections of a contemporary art museum, and sample Swiss fondue. Travel with a local guide to the nearby Great St. Bernard Pass, one of the highest mountain passes in Switzerland. Explore the stunning Alpine landscapes, learn about the pass's significance for trade and transportation over the centuries, and hike along a historic trade route accompanied by the Great St. Bernard dogs famous in this region. Explore cascading waterfalls before returning to Geneva, and enjoy a final meal with your group to celebrate your adventures together.
Return — Travel Day
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.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Exploration
To learn more about our Exploration programs click here.
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—become an expert on Lyonnaise architecture, create a recipe book of traditional dishes, or create a photo documentary of glaciers and the Swiss Alps.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer travel program. You can expect to kayak, hike, and walk significant distances through the city streets of Paris, Lyon, Geneva, and in the Alps over the course of the 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.
Technology
To encourage full engagement and immersion in the Putney travel experience, we limit the use of cell phones and other devices on our High School programs. Students are allowed to use their phones in transit to the program, and keep their devices throughout. During in-country orientation, leaders will lock phones with a code, unlocking them for the second half of the program. During the tech-free portion of the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Accommodations
The group stays in small family hotels in Lyon and in Switzerland, and in a renovated mansion hostel in Paris.
Meals
The group eats a typical continental breakfast in their accommodations, dinner in a variety of restaurants, and often takes picnics at midday in a park or in the countryside.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Exploration
To learn more about our Exploration programs click here.
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—become an expert on Lyonnaise architecture, create a recipe book of traditional dishes, or create a photo documentary of glaciers and the Swiss Alps.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer travel program. You can expect to kayak, hike, and walk significant distances through the city streets of Paris, Lyon, Geneva, and in the Alps over the course of the 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.
Technology
To encourage full engagement and immersion in the Putney travel experience, we limit the use of cell phones and other devices on our High School programs. Students are allowed to use their phones in transit to the program, and keep their devices throughout. During in-country orientation, leaders will lock phones with a code, unlocking them for the second half of the program. During the tech-free portion of the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Accommodations
The group stays in small family hotels in Lyon and in Switzerland, and in a renovated mansion hostel in Paris.
Meals
The group eats a typical continental breakfast in their accommodations, dinner in a variety of restaurants, and often takes picnics at midday in a park or in the countryside.
A Day in the Life: Lyon, France
Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Lyon, France.
- Morning
8:00am
Enjoy breakfast at a local boulangerie
10:00am
Cycle with a local guide to explore Lyon’s historic center and Europe’s largest urban park
- Afternoon
1:00pm
Visit a historic food market and collect ingredients for a picnic lunch
4:00pm
Join local chefs for a hands-on cooking class and learn to make classic Lyonnaise dishes
6:00pm
Share dinner with your group, savoring your culinary creations
- Evening
8:00pm
Take in a summer concert outside one of Lyon’s famous basilicas
9:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
A Day in the Life:
Lyon, France
Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Lyon, France.
- Morning
8:00am
Enjoy breakfast at a local boulangerie
10:00am
Cycle with a local guide to explore Lyon’s historic center and Europe’s largest urban park
- Afternoon
1:00pm
Visit a historic food market and collect ingredients for a picnic lunch
4:00pm
Join local chefs for a hands-on cooking class and learn to make classic Lyonnaise dishes
6:00pm
Share dinner with your group, savoring your culinary creations
- Evening
8:00pm
Take in a summer concert outside one of Lyon’s famous basilicas
9:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
“Maggie made many new friends and broadened her experiences. We also appreciated the project component of the program, getting to seeing her insights about what she was experiencing and learning was an excellent touch.”
—Carrie & Grant K., Milwaukee, WI
Program Directed by
Julian Hartmann-Russell
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
