Paris 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 one overnight excursion and four or five day trips. Summer students are typically offered one overnight excursion or two day trips for every summer session. 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.

Bruges, Belgium

Board the high-speed train “Thalys” and cross the northern frontier to discover the delights of the city of chocolates, waffles, and French fries. Observe the colorful architecture of the Bruges townhouses, climb to the top of the Belfry and try to catch a glimpse of the North Sea. Listen to the rhythm of horse shoes as a horse carriage passes nearby. Discover the last brewery still running in town and sample the local cuisine. End your journey relaxing in a tea room with the best hot chocolate topped with whipped cream for the ultimate chocolate experience and before returning to Paris with a huge smile on your face…and full tummy!

Avignon and Provence

Students will take the high speed train to Avignon and visit the Palais des Papes, one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. In a private coach, they will discover a part of the Alpilles of the Provence region on the way to Roussillon, a beautiful village on top of a hill, well known for its ochre trail. Students will have the pleasure of following the trail among the ochre cliffs, a landscape which inspired Cezanne and Van Gogh! On the next day they will visit one of the most beautiful villages in France: les Baux de Provence and its castle. On the way back to Avignon, the coach will stop in Saint Remy de Provence, well-known for its open air typical “Provencal” market and later in a wine cellar for a visit and sampling of “vin de provence” and local delicacy.

Strasbourg, France and Fribourg, Germany

Discover the eastern region of Alsace! The excursion starts with an in-depth walking tour of the center of Strasbourg, where students will immediately notice the strong Germanic influence in the architecture and way of life. Students can enjoy a cruise down the Ill River which will take them through the district of the Petite France and to the European Parliament, the central institution of European integration. The regions of Alsace and Lorraine have been the object of much conflict over the centuries, with France and Germany fighting for ownership. The mix of two cultures has produced delicious food such as "choucroute" or "flammekueche" and local fine beers which students can sample during a traditional Alsatian meal. Before leaving, students will cross the border to Germany and enjoy a glimpse of the black forest and the city of Fribourg, Students will also have the pleasure of tasting Alsatian wine in a small family-run vineyard.

Giverny

Students will spend a day immersed in the inspirational world of Impressionist Art. Whether students are confirmed fans of this art movement or novices, Giverny is a destination not to be missed. The day begins with a visit of the museum dedicated to Monet's life and works. From here students take a trail that leads to lush gardens where a lily pond, bamboo patches and flowers bursting with color all wait to be discovered. In fact, these beautiful scenes inspired many of Claude Monet's paintings. Meandering through Monet's gardens will surely work up students’ appetites! On this excursion, students will have free time to try some traditional dishes from Normandy and may opt to discover the American Impressionist Museum on their own, which displays works from several American artists who flocked to this remarkable place to visit Monet throughout his life.

Loire Valley Châteaux

Nowhere else in the world can one discover such a rich collection of magnificently preserved castles dating from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance as the Loire Valley. In the comfort of a private coach, students will travel through mystical forests to visit Chambord and Chenonceau castles. A stop in Amboise, a lovely pedestrian town in the heart of this region, will include a visit of its castle. After some souvenir shopping, students will have the opportunity to see Le Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci's former home that now boasts a museum dedicated to the artist. The weekend doesn't stop there; students will also learn about wine production and the particular qualities of Loire Valley wine at a local a wine cellar. They will also satisfy their appetites during a traditional French meal. The natural beauty of the landscapes, the phenomenal masterpieces of royal architecture, and the magnificently manicured gardens of the Loire Valley will surely charm CEA students.

Mont St. Michel

For centuries, Mont St Michel has been the object of admiration. Regardless of whether students arrive at low or high tide, they will be immediately overwhelmed by the majestic rocky island on the horizon. The Mont St Michel has been standing for over 1,000 years, and throughout the ages has been the object of dispute between Normandy and Brittany to determine proper ownership. Students can spend the morning climbing up the winding streets, and enjoying an informative historical tour of the remarkable Gothic monastery. After all that climbing, students will certainly want to sample traditional Norman dishes such as "poulet à la crème" and "tarte aux pommes." After a night near the island, students can also make their way to St. Malo, a pirate town on the Brittany coast. Before returning to Paris another stop will be made at an apple cider cellar where students will learn the process of making cider and taste the "brut" and "doux" versions of this lightly alcoholic apple drink.

Reims

This trip will tantalize taste buds and overwhelm students with delectable delights. This visit will allow them to experience firsthand how French chocolates are made, spend an afternoon learning about world famous Brie cheese from Meaux and, of course, visit the champagne cellars in Reims and Epernay. Seeing the magnificent Cathédrale Notre-Dame, where every French king has been crowned since the days of Jeanne d'Arc, is an incredible experience.

Mystery Tour

Once every semester, students will be invited to participate in a mystery excursion. With only a list of things to bring and a meeting point at a local train station, students set off to discover a surprise destination! Both CEA staff and students enjoy the suspense until the last minute – when the train pulls out of the station, students will learn of the destination and have a few hours to prepare for the adventure!