French Alps: Grenoble Excursions

One of the benefits of studying abroad is the ability to venture outside your host city and explore the surrounding area. Excursions are offered for all semester, year, and summer programs. Semester students are typically offered two to three excursions and summer students are typically offered one to two excursions. You will receive a calendar of the specific CEA excursions offered for your program during orientation. To give you an idea of the possibilities, we have collected typical experiences from some of the day trips and weekend tours offered to our students in the past.

Geneva

This excursion takes students across the border to the heart of European diplomacy, beginning with a guided tour of the United Nations. Following lunch on the Bains des Pâquis jetty, students will visit the world famous “Jet d’Eau” or water jet on Lac Leman. Traversing the lake by water taxi, students will have the opportunity to experience this well known landmark close up. The excursion finishes with a visit to Geneva’s old town and Rath Museum, specializing in Swiss and international temporary art exhibitions.

Vienne

Vienne may be small in size but it is rich in history. Situated between Grenoble and Lyon, Vienne features such sites as the Temple of Augustus, which was built around 20BC as part of a Roman forum. A guided tour allows students an exclusive glimpse of the temple’s interior, which is usually closed to the public. Students will visit the Saint Roman–en-Gal archeological site and museum that was once a neighborhood of Vienne during the Gallo-Roman period. The visit includes a tour of the ruins, from artifacts to the remains of buildings themselves. Students will be amazed by the unearthed townhouses, public baths, markets and warehouses along with paved Roman streets. The museum also houses an unusually well preserved display of Gallo-Roman mosaics.

Camargue

Modern-day Camargue traditions, which date back well over a century, were actually modeled upon Texas and the rodeos (the French actually love Westerns). However, this wild land resembles more of an Argentina, with the Camargue bull reigning as king. Brave a horseback ride on one of the wild white Camargue horses, following a guardian, or cowboy, through the marsh lands to get up-close glimpses of the pink flamingos. Most important of all, do not leave Camargue without witnessing their own version of the bull fight, where it’s all sport and no violence.

Avignon/ Châteauneuf du Pape

This excursion begins with a stroll through the streets of Avignon, before continuing with an early afternoon visit to the nearby village of Châteauneuf du Pape. Students will then participate in an introductory wine tasting course at one of the more well know vintners of the celebrated Châteauneuf du Pape wine. Returning to Avignon, students will be free to explore the Marche’ de Noel and local shops of this renowned walled city. The evening winds down with a typical Provencal meal at a local restaurant. The excursion continues with a visit to the market at Les Halles, known for its exterior "living wall", a vertical garden designed by botanist Patrick Blanc; students may wish to purchase lunch here and meet for a group picnic on the "Rocher des Doms", an elevated rocky outcrop overlooking the Rhône River,before continuing with an audio tour of the 14th century Palais des Papes. The excursion terminates with a visit to the 12th century “Pont d’Avignon”, which at one time spanned the Rhône River and is the inspiration for the famous song "Sur Le Pont d’ Avignon".

Exploring Provence

Students begin this excursion with a visit to the ancient city of Arles. Arles, the current capital of photography in France, is also well known for its Romanesque architecture and Vincent Van Gogh. Students will visit the local market, tour Arles with a guide and spend the night in a 16th century hotel facing the Roman amphitheater and arena. A Sunday morning trip to the Mediterranean coast brings students to Les Saintes Maries de la Mer. This coastal town’s annual Pelerinage d'Octobre or October pilgrimage, celebrates the arrival of the town’s patron saints. The colorful procession dates back to the 12th century, where locals dressed in period costume, re-enact the arrival of Les Saintes Maries. Students will be able to observe this tradition while following the procession to the sea. Afterwards, students have time to explore the village, before heading over to test their horseback riding skills along the marshy windswept coastline.

Aix-en-Provence

Students begin their exploration of Aix-en-Provence strolling along the famous Cours Mirabeau, before wandering into Aix’s bustling Provencal market area. Later in the day, a guided visit of Paul Cézanne’s studio brings students into the workplace of the great painter and renowned Aix citizen. On Sunday morning students head out, to visit the Maison Saint Victoire, where they will see an exhibition depicting Aix’s long history from prehistoric times to the present. Students will then head over to Mont Saint Victoire for a leisurely hike and relaxed picnic in the mountains so often portrayed in Cezanne’s paintings.