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Aimeriez-vous étudier le français tout en étant France?
Total immersion in a foreign culture tends to broaden one's perspective, foster understanding while dramatically improving ones language ability.
This study tour is characterised by a certain je ne sais quoi. We begin with a two-week study programme in Bordeaux, staying in home stay accommodation to fully immerse you in the French ways.
We then explore some of the countries stunning highlights, from the big city glamour of Paris to the lush and relaxing countryside of Troyes, Champagne region, where some of the world's best bubbles can be sampled.
France is the most visited country in the world. From its food to its art, whether it's gastronomic greatness, artistic endeavour or cultural cachet you're looking for, France still sits right at the top of the European heap. The country that gave the world champagne, perfum, French cuisine and Camembert is justly famous for its cooking and couture - you'll find there are plenty of places to indulge yourself.
After all, France is the country for which the word chic was invented, join us on this study tour and experience first hand why this is so.
Tour participants can choose to travel to France with the tour leader or travel independently to Paris and rendezvous on day two of the tour.
Day1 Thursday 15 April
Tour Leader, Chantal Healy, departs for Paris. Suggested flight route is Christchurch - Singapore – Paris. International Programmes can organise flight bookings for those who wish to travel with the tour leader.
Day 2 Friday 16 April
Train Paris CDG/Bordeaux
Arrival at Charles De Gaulle airport, at Airport 2. Catch the train to Bordeaux, a city in the south-west of France famed for its wines in France, where you will have your two week intensive language course at BLS School.
You will be met at the Bordeaux railway station by the host families. For those travelling to Paris independently, rendez-vous at the Bordeaux railway station (time to be advised) to meet the group, the tour leader, and your host families.
In the evening, get to know your host families and adjust to French time.
Day 3 Saturday 17 April (BD)
Gently ease into the French way of life in Bordeaux situated in the south-west of France there are many things you can do in this city filled with culture, history, and fun. Meet with your tour leader to catch up in a local cafe. When you visit Bordeaux, you’re sure to have wonderful time. No matter where you go in the city, there is always something worthwhile to do, see, or enjoy.
Day 4 Sunday 18 April (BD)
Grasse matinée (getting up late). A free day at leisure and to enjoy the company of your hosts. If you like learning something on your visit, Bordeaux has several very renowned museums. You can satisfy your curiosity about wine by visiting the Vinorama, a talking wax museum that chronicles the history of Bordeaux wine, or the Bordeaux Wines Museum, which exhibits the history of the city’s wine merchants.
Day 5 Monday 19 April (BD)
Today, from 9.00 to 1.30 pm, your French lessons begin. We start with a quick test to gauge your proficiency to best direct the next two weeks of study.
Afternoon includes BLS: a guided tour of Bordeaux with the opportunity to discover main historical buildings especially the HOTEL de VILLE also called la MAIRIE formally know as the PALAIS de ROHAN build from 1772 to 1789. Your tour leader will confirm details of time and place to meet at morning break each day.
Day 6 Tuesday 20 April (BD)
French lessons from 9.00 to 1.30pm, followed by a free afternoon. Although BLS propose a French film. In the evening, you may choose to spend your evening going to a classical or jazz concerts, cinema, cabaret, night club or if you prefer enjoy a stroll down the beach...Bordeaux’s Grand Theatre has been hosting operas, ballets, and other musical performances for nearly 250 years. Nearly every night, you can catch a production, concert, or recital. Even if you don’t catch a show while visiting Bordeaux, you need to see the Grand Theatre since it is one of the most innovative and beautiful buildings in France. Twelve Corinthian columns decorated with the statues representing the nine Muses and the Roman goddesses Juno, Venus and Minerva line the front of the building. Inside, the theatre has vaulted ceilings painted gold and blue.
Day 7 Wednesday 21 April (BD)
French lessons from 9.00 am to 1.30 pm. Afterwards there is BLS sampling of local food "degustation de produits regionaux". After lunch, you could go on a cruise. Bordeaux was once one of the finest ports in France because of the deep Garonne River... You can admire this beautiful city by boat. There are several tours which let you explore the countryside upstream or downstream. You can learn more about tours at the Embarcadère des Quinconces, the landing on the river. If you don’t like boats, you can still view the city from the river by walking across the Pont de Pierre. Commissioned by Napoleon, this intricately detailed bridge is 1,594 feet long. At night, the bridge is breathtaking as it illuminates the Garonne with its lights.
Day 8 Thursday 22 April (BD)
French lessons from 9.00 am to 1.30 pm followed by a free afternoon. After lunch you may enjoy a visit for the art lovers, the Museum of Fine Arts has a vast collection that features art from the 17th to the 20th century. Among the many works by French and European artists, you can see Delacroix's famous painting La Grèce Sur Les Ruines De Missolonghi. The Museum of Modern Art exhibits contemporary works and often presents concerts or performances. The Museum of Decorative Arts features classic furniture, decorative paintings, and sculptures.
Day 9 Friday 23 April (BD)
French lessons from 9.00 am to 1.30 pm. BLS trip to Arcachon - Pyla-sur -Mer. Without a doubt, Pyla-sur-Mer has everything to satisfy even the most demanding visitor. To begin with, the Dune of Pilat, the highest sand formation in Europe, with its 105 meters height, 2 700 meters length, 500 meters width, and 20 million cubic meters of sand.
The summit of this virtual mountain of sand gives a unique view over the Atlantic Ocean, the forest, the Basin of Arcachon, the channels, the Point of Cap Ferret and the Sandbank of Arguin.
Day 10 Saturday 24April (BD)
Depart to Biarritz for the day. The city is home to some fine examples of architecture, which stand today as concrete reminders of its more recent history. Biarritz became a popular holiday vacation for the Imperial couple, Eugenie and Napoleon III.
Day 11 Sunday 25 April (BD)
A free day with your host family, or sightseeing around the village and a local deli market. When you want to bring home a souvenir, Bordeaux is full of shops and boutiques where you can find the perfect remembrance of the city. There are many markets throughout the city. One of Bordeaux’s oldest is the Grands Hommes. Serving customers since the 19th century, this building houses a traditional market on the first floor where visitors can buy fish, fruit, vegetables and flowers. The second floor is filled with boutiques. Another place to shop is the rue Sainte Catherine. This is one of the longest streets in Bordeaux and is home to a variety of unique stores and shops. If you’re looking for luxury, the shops in the Golden Triangle are sure to have what you need. This is a triangle of streets linked by the cours de l'Intendance, the cours Georges Clemenceau, and the allées de Tourny.
Day 12 Monday 26 April (BD)
French lessons resumed from 9.00am to 1.30pm. BLS visit to Saint Emilion is well worth a visit built into a limestone hill, and its cobblestone streets, the old grey houses of this fortified medieval town straggle down the south-hanging slope of a low hill, with the green froth of the summer's vines crawling over its walls. Many of the growers still keep up the old tradition of planting roses at the ends of the rows, which in pre-pesticide days served as an early-warning system against infection, the idea being that the commonest bug, oidium, went for the roses first, giving three days' notice of its intentions.
However, it is what is underground that sets St. Emilion apart from its well known wines. In the 8th century, a hermit named Emilion settled in a small cave with an underground spring. Over the next 500 years the cave was enlarged to make the world's largest monolithic (one rock) cathedral. When you go into the huge open room, it is hard to imagine that it was built so long ago. An amazing engineering marvel!. No trip to St. Emilion is complete without going inside this underground cathedral.
Day 13 Tuesday 27 April (BD)
French lessons from 9.00 am to 1.30 pm. After lunch, if you want a glimpse of art or history in Bordeaux, however, all you need to do is walk through the city’s streets. Many buildings in Vieux Bordeaux have retained their charm and character over time. If you’re looking for historical views of the city, you can walk through the Quartier Saint-Eloi. There, you can see the Grosse Cloche, the great bell which once rang from the old Town Hall’s belfry. If you continue along the Victor Hugo Avenue, you can see the Porte de Bourgogne, a huge stone arch that was once one of the entrances to the city
Day 14 Wednesday 28 April (BD)
French lessons from 9.00 am to 1.30 pm. BLS: a new experience - French cooking class.... Afterwards, we will take a short walk to the Esplanade des Quinconces, the Jardin Public or Public Gardens. This park has also played a significant role in Bordeaux history.
Several French artists contributed to the park design. During the French revolution, the Jardin was used for official ceremonies until Napoleon redesigned the park as a classic English garden. Today, it’s the perfect place to rest and relax.
Day 15 Thursday 29 April (BD)
French lessons from 9.00 am to 1.30 pm. Free afternoon. The French say if you want to find the center of town, look for a steeple. In Bordeaux, the steeple that graces the skyline belongs to the Saint Andre Cathedral. Once the site of Eleanor of Aquitaine’s wedding to England’s Henry II, the cathedral had additions added to it over time. With its different architectural styles, Saint Andre is an eclectic, but beautiful structure. Recently renovated, this 11th century sandstone building is the biggest cathedral in Bordeaux. Inside, you can view paintings and illuminations by European artists.
Day 16 Friday 30 April
Bordeaux-Paris-Troyes (B)
Your final petit-déjeuner with your host family. French lessons from 9.00 am to 1.30 pm. Last shopping in Bordeaux...Time to say 'Merci beaucoup et Au revoir' to this beautiful city!
In the afternoon we travel by TGV (fast train) to Paris. This is a wonderful experience. Then we will catch another train to continue our journey to Troyes, situated in the heart of Champagne. There Pascale and Gilles, our hosts, will be waiting for us. They kindly have accepted to drive us around. We are very fortunate as they are true Champenoy citizens. Dinner can be purchased on board the train - an excellent way to practise your French. Your accommodation in Troyes is at Hotel Arlequin.
Day 17 – Saturday 1 May (B)
Rendezvous at the town centre, to enjoy an early morning at your own space strolling through the markets to experience the local foods of this region and the sale of the Lily of the Valley at every corner, a unique day in France, celebrating “la Fête du Travail” (Labour Day, a public holiday) but just remember it’s never too early for a glass of champagne! Speaking of Champagne, we then travel for 2 hours by minivan to Epernay in the heart of the Champagne region. Lunch is organised in one of the most enchanting forests, (about 4 to 5 euros to cover the cost).
Here you will experience an iconic French tradition, a Champagne cave tour (about 8 Euros entrance fee), and wine tasting. An unforgettable experience! In the evening enjoy a typical regional dinner at Troyes.
Day 18 Sunday 2 May (B)
Enjoy your morning and later on after lunch we will travel by minivans to Essoyes, home of Aline Charigot wife of the famous impressionist, Auguste Renoir. There you will enter his workshop where a guide will tell you a tale of two. Then you will discover the village of Essoyes and its surroundings countryside which were an inspiration to the artist. All around the village, the "Chemins de Renoir" are marked out circuits allowing you to follow in the painter's steps. Auguste Renoir and his family are buried in the cemetery of Essoyes.
Day 19 Monday 3 May (B)
After an enjoyable breakfast at the Hotel Arlequin, you will taken to a guided tour (about an hour and half) of heart of Troyes which is by the way called officially ‘a medieval town of Europe’. Free time to stroll and have lunch then we will visit a stained glass windows Maître-artisan, cost about 3 euros per person. Later on we will say goodbye to Pascale and Gilles who have been looking after us before boarding our train back to Paris, city of Light and Mysteries. Paris nous voilà!
Day 20 Tuesday 4 May (B) 
Of course there are the department stores, once in a lifetime, if not for its goods the buildings are impressive! A surprise awaits you…. and an optional bike tour is available. If you have been to Paris before and do not wish to sightseeing, you can discuss other options with your tour leader. There is plenty to do. In the afternoon you may decide to explore, l'Opéra, l'Ile de la Cité, Notre-Dame of course, incredible view from the top, les bouquinistes, le Palais de justice and la Sainte Chapelle, la Conciergerie, le Louvre, le Musée d'Orsay, les Jardins du Luxembourg....and many more places within a walking distance from your hotel...Metro Saint Michel.
Day 21 Wednesday 5 May (B)
The day is yours. Time to explore more of Paris, or if you prefer, take a day trip to the Palais of Versailles. (you can travel directly to it by METRO/RER) where you can step back in time and see how French aristocracy lived their lavish lives. For some visiting yet another impressionist, the well known jardin de Monet, a must some say.
Day 22 Thursday 6 May (B)
Take the opportunity to spend time in the cafes, museums art galleries, or if you prefer, stroll down the Champs-Elysées. Visit the oldest cafe or bakery shop.
For our final evening we have organised a group dinner on the Seineriver.
Paris by night ...breathtaking at the lighted Tour Eiffel, just magnifique...and other wonders.
Day 23 Friday 7 May
Paris – Singapore (overnight)
Au revoir Paris et merci de nous avoir pris dans tes bras....as the song goes. Last moment to drink the ambiance of the magical Paris and last shopping. Late afternoon travel to Charles de Gaulle airport by shuttle (for those who wish to return with the tour leader on the same flight) to New Zealand.
Days 24 & 25 Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 May
Arrive Singapore on Saturday 8 May. Depart for Christchurch, arriving on Sunday 9 May.
Chantal was born in Paris and lived in France until coming to New Zealand as an adult. She taught French at CPIT for 21 years where she was responsible for setting and evaluating programmes and examinations for her classes. Chantal also presented the annual French revision classes for School Certificate students and participated in the CPIT pilot radio broadcast for foreign languages. She was responsible for organising CPIT’s summer school language programme for 12 years.
In addition, she managed a work experience and language programme for French students visiting New Zealand, including coordinating host family requirements, work placement, and leisure activities.
Since 2004, Chantal has tutored in French as part of the University of Canterbury’s Community Education programme, and teaches several courses from beginners to advanced.
This will be Chantal's second French language tour for the University of Canterbury.
A land-only package has been chosen for this tour. This will enable you to choose your own flight dates and times, which may coincide with a longer stay in France with family, or for a lengthier holiday. If you are just traveling for the tour, we can send you a list of suggested flight dates and times to book with your own travel agent, or we are happy to help with our preferred agent, APX Travel. Tour will meet in Bordeaux Railway Station on Friday 16th April. If you are making your own flight arrangements please make sure you are at Bordeaux Railway Station on Friday 16th April to meet group and your host families.
Land only fee: NZ$6,995 per person. Accommodation will be on twin share basis (2 people sharing same room)
Early Bird discounted fee: Deduct $200 if enrolment is received by Friday 26th February 2010.
Single travelers: A single person supplement fee of $245 per person is payable for individuals who do not wish to share accommodation. If single persons wish to share, we will do all that is possible to match that person with a suitable traveling companion. If a match cannot be found, or that person withdraws from the tour, the single supplement fee will apply.
DepositA deposit of NZ$500 per person is required to secure a place on the tour.
The final balance will be due no later than 15th March 2010.
Chantal Healy, Tour Leader
Phone: (03) 338 3119
Email: glcmhealy@xtra.co.nz
Jenny Ballagh, International Programmes
Phone: (03) 364 2987 ext 8246
Email: jenny.ballagh@canterbury.ac.nz
