The goals of this 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 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 and interactive and incorporate active, hands-on elements such as scavenger hunts, games, and informal interviews.

Students on this program must have completed at least one year of French. 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 Learning programs, click here.

Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—set up an easel on Picasso’s favorite street in Paris and paint in his style, create a book of traditional recipes from your homestay family, or spend a day shadowing fishermen that bring their daily catch to the village market in Normandy.

This is a physically active summer program. You can expect to hike, surf, go horseback riding, 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.

Accommodations in France are varied, ranging from Old World-style hotels to family-run inns. Many of our residences are run by welcoming French families that Putney has known for years. Rooms are a mix of doubles, triples, and quads. Leaders reside together with the students throughout the program.

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. The French savor their meals and take time to gather with family and friends at the table, eat slowly, and enjoy their company.