Summer in the French Alps - French Language & Culture (in French) - ISEP Direct
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Spend your summer in Chambéry, a historic Savoie city where mountain landscapes and French café culture meet at the base of the Alps.
• Earn 6 U.S. credits taking intensive French coursework at the beginning, intermediate, or advanced level for seven weeks.
• Participate in organized excursions that take you to historic sites and breathtaking natural landscapes, with a variety of sporting, leisure, and cultural experiences for you to enjoy.
LIFE ABROAD
Immerse yourself in French language and culture in Chambéry, a charming alpine city just one hour from the Mediterranean coast and three hours from Paris. Practice speaking with locals and deepen your immersion as you navigate the pedestrian-friendly squares, historical town center, colorful café terraces, and take in breathtaking views of the mountains.
Experience & Cultural Engagement
Upon arrival, you will be taken on a welcome tour of Chambéry and Université Savoie Mont Blanc. When you're not in class, you can participate in guided hikes, picnics, and excursions coordinated by the university that root you in the culture of the French Alps. In the past, these excursions have included trips to Yvoire in Haute-Savoie for wine tasting and a tour of Château d'Yvoire, Parc de Merlet where you may encounter some of the region’s impressive wildlife and fauna, and Les Charmettes, the former house of famous Enlightenment writer and philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau. You may also participate in additional recreational activities — hiking, museum visits, mountain biking, swimming at a nearby lake, and sports— for a small fee. The program is divided into two 3-week sessions, giving you several free days in the middle of the program to explore the region independently. You can also stay in your program housing until the end of July at no extra cost if you want to have a home base for travel after the end of the program!
Live & Dine
Live in a student residence hall where campus is within a 15-20 minute walk or accessible by local transportation. You’ll have your own private room in an apartment where you’ll share a kitchen and bathroom with one other student. Purchase ingredients from nearby grocery stores to prepare your own meals or eat at on-campus dining halls where meals are typically under $10 USD. When you want to eat out, Chambéry’s cafés and restaurants offer local specialties like Savoyard fondue, regional wines, and tasty chocolate treats.
Explore the French Alps
When you stay local, spend your free time hiking Alpine trails, swimming in nearby lakes like Lac du Bourget, or visiting nearby storybook towns like Annecy. If you're looking for a change of scenery, take advantage of train access to Grenoble, Lyon, or Geneva, with the Mediterranean coast and Paris about three hours away for longer weekend adventures.
What We Love About this Program
We love how this program blends engaging language immersion with an active, outdoorsy lifestyle. Studying in a smaller Alpine town means fewer distractions, stronger French practice, and mountain views that make even a walk to class feel memorable.
SCHOLARSHIP
This program qualifies for the ISEP French and German Language Annette Kade Fund Scholarship. The scholarship awards $500 - $1,500 USD to students who are from a U.S. institution and studying French or German language in Austria, France, Germany, Reunion Island, or Switzerland. Learn more here.
See ISEP Direct budget and estimated expenses
Course Description
Advance in your French language-learning, gain firsthand cultural experience, and explore the delights of the Savoie region! This 7-week program (six weeks of classes and one week of vacation) includes 15 hours per week of small-group instruction at three different levels from beginner to advanced and three workshops on aspects of local life.
The 90 total hours of instruction included in the program (two three-week sessions of 45 hours each) is generally considered equivalent to 6 U.S. credits.
Summer Syllabi:
| Beginner | Intermediate | Advanced |
| A1 Level | B1 Level | C1 Level |
| A2 Level | B2 Level |
Academics
Other Academic Conditions
French language and culture courses are provided by specialist teachers for beginning, intermediate and advanced students. No prior French language experience is necessary.
Students are placed in appropriate language levels according to a placement exam taken before arrival. Note: The host institution ultimately determines your proficiency level and course eligibility.
Summer 2026 Program Dates:
28 May - Arrival and check in to student residence
It is very important for housing check in procedures to arrive on 28 May.
1 June - Course start
17 July - Course end
21 July - Last day to move out of university housing
PASSPORT: All students must have a valid passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a valid passport, we suggest you start the application process as soon as possible.
VISA/RESIDENCE PERMIT: Students with U.S. citizenship attending programs in France for less than 90 days are not required to obtain a French visa. All other students should inquire with their local French embassy if they will be required to obtain a Schengen Visa for the duration of their Summer program in France prior to arrival. For more information on the process and estimated cost, please review the ISEP Country Handbook here.
Semester & Prices (based on your filters)
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