STUDY IN PARIS

Our Program

ESA offers a complete introduction to French civilization, as well as special lectures, walking tours and seminars designed to enhance your understanding and enjoyment of France’s rich cultural heritage.

French Civilization:
Origins to the 21st Century

In about 12 hours of lecture plus visits in and around Paris, we study the relationship between French political life, social structure, art, architecture and urbanism in the Middle Ages, Renaissance, 17th Century, Enlightenment, Revolution and modern period. The streets of Paris become your textbook and classroom as we visit historic sites, monuments, and museums.

This course is offered both in English for beginning students of the French language and in French for intermediate and advanced students. Some visits are in English only.

VISITS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ESA CIVILIZATION PROGRAM:

• The Middle Ages
  Paris: la Sainte Chapelle, Notre Dame de Paris, St Séverin, le Quartier Latin, Musée de Cluny (medieval art; Roman baths)

  Rouen: Place Jeanne d'Arc; la Cathédrale; medieval and Renaissance neighborhoods

• Renaissance and 17th Century
  Paris: les Invalides; Palais du Louvre; le Marais (17th-century aristocratic neighborhood); Place de la Bastille

  Outside of the city: chateaux of Versailles, Fontainebleau; Vaux-le-Vicomte

• 18th-century, the Revolution and the 19th-Century
  Louvre, , Musée Rodin, Giverny (Claude Monet’s home in Normandy); l'Hôtel de Ville, l'Opéra


• Modern Paris
  le Centre Pompidou, l'Opéra de la Bastille, Pyramide du Louvre; Opportunities to see the Forum des Halles, Trocadéro, la Défense, Musée Picasso, la Villette (museum of science and industry), l'Institut du Monde Arabe

OTHER ESA courses:

• Topics in Art History

  Special lectures and visits on aspects of French art. Topics vary depending on special museum exhibits.



• Contemporary French Culture

  Orientation to daily life in the French capital. Activities include visits to a bakery, outdoor markets, tour of the fashion districts, shops and boutiques. You'll also have the opportunity to learn more about French politics, French music and French food!