Student Travel Programs in France
Exploring France
France often tops the list for the most visited country. The nation’s cultural treasures are hard to match, and the food is extraordinary. On top of that, 30% of the country is covered by forests. Majestic mountain ranges traverse the nation’s landscape, and there are multiple must-see locations along the coastlines.
Country Basics
France is slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Texas and has a population of about 68 million people. The nation is the largest country in the European Union and the third largest in Europe behind Ukraine and the European part of Russia.
France borders a number of countries – Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany to the northeast, Switzerland and Italy to the east and Andorra, Spain, and Monaco to the south. It also borders the Mediterranean Sea, the Bay of Biscay in the Atlantic Ocean and the English Channel.
Inland the country has fertile plains in the north and west. In the mountainous regions of the country in the south and east, there are three major ranges – the Alps, Pyrenees and the Massif Central. Major rivers in the country include the Seine, Rhine and Rhône.
One of the country’s main attractions is its art museums, ranging from the centuries-old Louvre Art Museum to the newer Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris. Before the Louvre became a museum, it was a fortress built in the 12th century, and then it was renovated into a royal palace in the 16th century. The site began an art museum in 1793.
In contrast, the Louis Vuitton Foundation opened in 2014 to showcase modern and contemporary art. It’s housed in a head-turning building that’s the brainchild of Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. The museum is a wonderful spot for teens to explore aspects of current culture.
Language
French is the official language. It’s spoken by nearly the entire French population. There are some declining regional dialects and languages, such as Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, and Flemish.
To prepare for your program, here are some basic French words and phrases:
- Bonjour – Hello, Good morning
- Au revoir – Goodbye
- Oui – Yes; Non – No
- Merci – Thank you; Merci beaucoup – Thank you very much
- Femme – Woman; Homme – Man
- S’il vous plaît – Please
- Bonsoir – Good evening; Bonne Nuit – Good night
- Excusez-moi – Excuse me
- De Rien – You’re welcome (casual); Je vous en prie – You’re welcome (formal)
- Monsieur – Mister; Mademoiselle – Miss, unmarried woman; Madame – Married woman, older woman
- E suis désolé(e) – I’m sorry
- Comment vous appelez-vous? – What is your name?
- Parlez-vous anglais? – Do you speak English?
- Je m’appelle – My name is ___.
- Comment allez-vous? – How are you doing?
- Quelle heure est-il? – What time is it?
- Pouvez-vous m’aider? – Can you help me?
- Combien ça coûte? – How much is this?
Food & Drink
One of the best aspects of France is its food, so you are in for a treat when traveling to the country. French food is so noteworthy it was named on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage items in 2010. The variety of food available is large, so there aren’t guarantees you’ll have a particular dish during your program. However, some more common food choices are below.
First, there are a couple of things to keep in mind when it comes to drinks. One is that the French prefer their water and other drinks at room temperature or slightly chilled. Therefore, if you want ice, you’ll have to ask for it. Second, the French often drink tea or coffee from a bowl during breakfast.
On the food side, here are some foods you may be able to try:
- Various types of cheese – There are 1600 varieties in France, so it’s a cheese-lover paradise! Popular choices include Camembert de Normandie, Brie de Meaux, Fromage Blanc and Munster.
- Escargots Herb Butter Snails / Escargots de Bourgogne – Snails are a common food choice in France. It’s estimated that the French eat 25,000 tons of snails each year.
- Soft-Boiled Eggs / Oeuf à la coque
- Rooster in wine / Coq au vin – Cooked rooster marinated in red wine with bacon, carrots, onions, and mushrooms
- Steak and French Fries / Steak Frites
Omelet / Omelette - Ratatouille – A thick stew made of tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchinis, eggplants, onions, and garlic
- Ham and butter Sandwich / Jambon-beurre
- Nicoise salad / Salade Niçoise – Mix of lettuce, fresh tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, canned tuna, herbs, anchovies, and black olives
- Beef Bourguignon / Boeuf bourguignon – stew made of beef braised in red wine and beef broth, cooked with mushrooms, garlic, bacon, and onions
- Quiche Lorraine
- Soupe à l’oignon / Onion Soup
- Crepes / Crêpes
- Crème brûlée
- Macarons
- Baguettes – It’s hard to imagine leaving France without eating a baguette. One interesting tidbit is that in France and Italy placing a baguette or any other bread upside down on a table is considered bad luck. This idea is said to stem from the Middle Ages when the bakers would set aside baguettes for executioners by turning them or hanging them upside down.
Social Norms & Expectations
In France handshakes are used when meeting strangers, but once people get more comfortable they greet others with a glancing kiss on each cheek. There are some regions where they even favor four or five kisses, but two is more common. It’s also customary to say bonjour when arriving somewhere and au revoir when leaving even if you are just exiting a store.
Here are some other social norms:
- Being slightly late is common in France
- Downplaying compliments is the norm
- Talking about politics and religion is acceptable and may even be encouraged
- Eating while walking in the streets is generally a no-no unless you have a baguette. Then you can eat the end of baguette until you reach the bag.
- Standing closer to people in common. The French stand closer to each other when conversing than many Americans normally do.
Currency
France adopted the euro in 1999. Exchange rates have been fluctuating. But generally the euro and U.S. dollar are close to a one-to-one exchange rate with the euro being slightly stronger.
Weather
The weather tends to be mild from June-August in Paris. Here are the average weather conditions you may see:
| June | July | August | |
| High Temperature | 70.9 F | 76.3 F | 76.1 F |
| Low Temperature | 54.5 F | 58.6 F | 59 F |
| Average Daylight | 16 hrs. 7 minutes | 15 hrs. 42 minutes | 12 hrs. 35 minutes |
| Average Rainfall | 1.5 inches | 1.42 inches | 0.67 inches |
| Monthly Rainy Days | 14. 7 days | 14.8 days | 9.3 days |
Religion
According to the CIA World Factbook, here is an estimated breakdown of the religions in the country:
Roman Catholic 47%, Muslim 4%, Protestant 2%, Buddhist 2%, Orthodox 1%, Jewish 1%, other 1%, none 33%, unspecified 9%
These are just estimates because France maintains a tradition of secularism and has not officially collected data on religious affiliation since the 1872 national census.
Ethnic Groups
According to the CIA World Factbook, the ethnic groups in France are:
Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African (Algerian, Moroccan, Tunisian), Indochinese, Basque minorities
There are no detailed breakdowns of ethnicities in France since it’s against the law in France to collect data about an individual’s race, ethnicity, or political, philosophical or religious opinions.
Other Fun Facts About France
- Liberté, égalitié, fraternité or liberty, equality, fraternity is the national motto. It first appeared during the French Revolution. Today it appears on coins, stamps and government logos.
- The Eiffel Tower opened in 1889 as a centerpiece for the World’s Fair.
- In France it’s illegal to carry animals on a train unless they have a ticket – even really small animals like live snails. In 2008 a man was fined for carrying snails on a French train.
- It’s also illegal in France to kiss someone while standing on a train platform where there’s a waiting train. There’s no time for train delays because of a farewell kiss!
- Paris’ Gare du Nord is Europe’s busiest railway station, with more than 214 million passengers passing through it each year. The station is set to get some upgrades for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
- French had wider usage in earlier times. It was actually the official language of England between 1066 and 1362.
- France’s Lumière brothers, Auguste Marie Louis Nicolas and Louis Jean, offered the first public screening of a film in 1895. They showed a five second clip of workers leaving the Lumière factory. The audience apparently was in awe but Louis was not since he called filmmaking “an invention without a future.”
- A French woman named Jeanne Louise Calment is credited as being the oldest person who ever lived. She died in 1997 at the age of 122 years and 164 days.
- France has more Nobel Prize winners in Literature than any other country with 16 winners. The latest was Annie Ernaux in 2022. Previous winners include Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre. Other famous French writers include René Descartes, Voltaire, Blaise Pascal, and Victor Hugo.
- The world’s first artificial heart transplant and face transplant both took place in France.
- In the 16th century King Charles XIV of France changed the calendar, altering when the year started. Those who didn’t follow the change and celebrated the year’s start at the beginning of April were ridiculed as April fools.
- The tradition of wearing a white dress during a wedding stemmed from French royal ceremonies. Anne of Brittany first wore a white dress while marrying Louis XII in 1499. The tradition truly took off though when Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840.
Rustic Pathways in France
Discovering the Hidden Gems of France
Beginning in Paris, embark on a journey to explore the country’s diverse offerings. Experience the charm of bustling cities, see striking coastal views and learn about countryside life during a village fête.
Explore
Stunningly Huge: Eiffel Tower Size Comparison
10 Moments That Marked the History of France
Check out the ten pivotal moments that have shaped the rich history of France!
Culture
Parisiens in Paris: Street Style
An anonymous Instagram account that spotlights real everyday street style in Paris.
Eat
20 Classic French Dishes Everyone Needs To Try
French cuisine is at the core of many Western cuisines. French cooking is all about creating refined dishes from simple ingredients, which holds a certain mystery and allure. Explore these 20 classic French dishes for inspiration.
8 French Sandwiches to Eat Before You Die
France has perfected the art of combining bread and filling, using some of the finest ham, butter, and cheese you can find anywhere. The baguettes are made with skills passed down through generations. If you’re visiting France, trying these sandwiches is a must!
Watch
French Baguette Gets UNESCO Heritage Status
Joining ‘Gastronomic meal of the French’, UNESCO has recognized the French baguette as part of its Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Baguettes are often regarded as a symbol of Paris, second only to the Eiffel Tower. France produces around 16 million baguettes daily.
This Netflix Tour de France series chronicles the journeys of multiple cycling teams as they participate in the world’s most demanding bicycle race.
Forget Emily In Paris: 10 Better Netflix Shows About France
Love it or hate it, there’s many more diverse titles that provide a comprehensive and captivating depiction of life and the rich history of France.
Read
Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel tells the story of a blind French girl and a German boy whose lives intersect in occupied France during the chaos of World War II.
Ernest Hemingway’s memoir vividly captures his time as an unknown writer in 1920s Paris.
Listen
A daily updated list of the top 50 most played tracks in France right now.
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