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A French tour of Impressionist landscapes

A French tour of Impressionist landscapes

25 May 2025 | cultural visits, destinations tips, French culture

What could be more inspiring for a budding artist than a trip around France visiting the landscapes that sculpted the great artistic movement that is Impressionism? 

Anita is an art student from Amsterdam who has been learning French for 5 years and adores Monet’s Impression, Sunrise. She wanted to continue her studies in France and get her first taste of life as an art restorer.
She shares her travel diary about the highlights of her language stay in France visiting Impressionist landscapes with her study group. 

Anita spent 10 days soaking up France and French as she visited Paris, Normandy and Provence with artistic experiences and trips to the colourful scenery that inspired the incredible 19th century artists. 

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Travel diary in France, visiting the Impressionist landscapes

I have devoted this pretty notebook – illustrated with my own sketches – to the highlights of my first trip to France with my fellow students who are just as passionate about art as I am. We spent 10 days exploring the landscapes that inspired the great Impressionists: Monet, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Pissarro and more. Every stage of the journey from Paris and Normandy to Provence gave us the chance to practise our French, visit landmark museums, paint outdoors and juxtapose the real landscapes with the artworks they inspired.

In and around Paris: Museums, streets and my first impressions

Musée d’Orsay: A feast of Impressionist masterpieces

I met up with my group of 15 Dutch students to visit the Musée D’Orsay on our first morning in Paris. We couldn’t wait to get started. Although we really wanted to improve our French skills, we REALLY wanted to see the landscapes and masterpieces that made Impressionnism so iconic.

The Musée d’Orsay is overwhelming in every sense, including how many visitors there are! The former train station, with its huge clocks and bright windows, is home to the epic artworks that I’ve always dreamt of seeing up close. I spent ages pouring over Saint-Lazare Station by Monet. I’ve been gazing at it in books for years, so it was a real moment for me. 

The French class in the gallery devoted to Monet and Renoir taught us to express our aesthetic emotions, learn and describe the Impressionist techniques in French. It was very rewarding, so hat’s off to our guide!

Walk in Montmartre: Boho vibes and a cultural scavenger hunt

We went to Montmartre in the afternoon! As we climbed the steps to Place du Tertre, I was struck by the boho vibes I’d always hoped to experience here: easels, portraits, cobbled lanes. To use the French expression we learned, it’s an image d’Epinal (a bit of a cliché) but it has its own charm! Valérie designed a scavenger hunt for us. It was full of challenges and forfeits so we could interact with local traders and find out more about life as a 19th century artist. Go hard or go home! I even had to ask a passerby to draw my portrait in 1 minute without taking the pencil off the paper! The result was a bit…. disappointing…

Barbizon and the Forest of Fontainebleau: an introduction to “sur le motif” painting

We took the bus from Paris to see where it all began for Impressionism: Barbizon, the so-called “Village of Painters”. Early 19th century artists would meet up here to paint landscapes “sur le motif” or in situ. We passed the famous Auberge Ganne, an inn and grocery shop which became the Villa des Artistes and Hôtel de l’Exposition, a meeting point of artists, sculptors (from France and abroad), writers, journalists, actors and even politicians. 

It’s hard to resist painting the dreamy village with its little houses, cobbled streets and art galleries everywhere you look.

We did a “sur le motif” art class in the Forest of Fontainebleau near Barbizon. I love painting outdoors (luckily the weather was good). It was a great experience among my fellow students: it was like when the artists would get together at Auberge Ganne!

Normandy: the source of Impressionism

Giverny: A day in the life of Claude Monet

We finally reached Normandy and, as Monet said: “A landscape doesn’t get under your skin in one day…” So we spent 2 days here!

The countryside, the changing skies, the endless greenery… anything goes when it comes to Impressionist painting subjects. I spent ages wandering around the gardens at Claude Monet’s house in Giverny: the Japanese bridge, water lilies, flowers and more. My group made the most of the peace and quiet (there weren’t many tourists that day) for an art class on the edge of the biggest pond on the theme of: what does water inspire in you? I managed to explain the idea behind my piece using my slightly broken French. 

Auvers-sur-Oise, Van Gogh’s final days

The atmosphere couldn’t have been more different in Auvers-sur-Oise. It was darker and more intense. We visited Auberge Ravoux where Van Gogh spent the end of his life and manically painted nearly 80 paintings. His tiny, dark room was heartbreaking to see! We joined our guide on the signposted trail and spotted many of the places he’d painted: Auvers Church, the wheat fields, crows and footpaths before visiting his tomb, next to his brother Théo. We also tried to decipher the letters between the two brothers which were particularly poignant, especially towards the end of the artist’s life. 

Étretat and Honfleur: Cliffs and peaceful ports

Another change of scenery: we visited the Normandy coast and lofty Étretat cliffs. Armed with our sketchbooks, we had a long walk on the coastal path drinking in the views and stopping to sketch them.

I visited the Eugène Boudin Museum in Honfleur. I’d never heard of him before, but I loved his paintings of the sea! The beaches in Trouville, the ports in Deauville and Honfleur… I like the technique used by the Impressionist pioneer who was one of the first to paint outside his studio.

Provence: Light, warmth and new inspirations

Aix-en-Provence: Cézanne and Montagne Sainte-Victoire

We cut across France to the South, with its sing-song accent and fragrant aromas of lavender and pine trees. The train makes for a very convenient journey! We stopped in Aix-en-Provence: what a place! 

The guided tour of Cézanne’s studio blew me away because it’s like he never left: His belongings are still there, it’s very realistic: a skull, bottle, chair etc. 

From the terrace you can see the artist’s beloved Montagne Sainte-Victoire: he did over 80 paintings of it! The following day, we hit the iconic mountain’s footpaths on a hike which gave us a good dose of Provençal fresh air and enabled us to drink in the scenery, drystone walls and scrubland.

Institut des Frères Lumière à Lyon<br />
Institut des Frères Lumière à Lyon<br />

Arles and Saint-Rémy

We were reunited with Van Gogh! We went on a themed tour through Arles: Café de la Nuit, Arles Hospital, the Van Gogh Foundation and more. After he left Paris, this is where Van Gogh found a new light and painted some of his best-known pieces: The Sunflowers, Starry Night over the Rhône and Langlois Bridge.

It was very moving to visit Saint-Paul-de-Mausole Monastery in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, the former asylum where Van Gogh was confined. This is where he painted The Starry Night in which you can spot the olive trees and wheat fields. We made the most of the landscape for one last outdoor art class to reproduce Van Gogh’s techniques: brushstrokes, colours, textures and more that were too hard for me! My friends were far better!

Nice: The blue of painters and the Mediterranean 

The last stop on our French trip was Nice! We met up for breakfast by the flower market then spent the morning walking along the sun-soaked Promenade des Anglais looking out onto the Mediterranean. What a life!

I’ll never forget the guided tour of the Matisse Museum in a beautiful ochre villa: his gouache paintings and cut-outs were fascinating and the stained-glass Tree of Life he created for Vence Chapel was unbelievably bright. It was very inspiring… far more than Chagall in my view. It’s another world! 

Institut des Frères Lumière à Lyon<br />

Anita went back to Amsterdam with a book full of drawings, sketches and gouache paintings and a head full improved French skills and more confidence in speaking.
The themed tour introduced the group to places in France made famous by the Impressionists and enabled them to soak up French culture through art and geography. The tours, experiences and activities gave the French students confidence when speaking and a broader range of useful vocabulary for their studies and career plans. Anita may well be back in France soon for an art restoration course!

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Our top tips for visiting Notre-Dame in 2025

Our top tips for visiting Notre-Dame in 2025

23 Jan 2025 | cultural visits, destinations tips

Loyal worshippers, fans and friends of Notre-Dame de Paris have welcomed the news of its very grand reopening. Are you planning to visit the iconic cathedral in 2025 too?

Here’s a sneak peek at what to expect from your trip to Notre-Dame, whether you’re a regular or newcomer. It’s full of surprises and wonder, but what really blows you away is the light. Visitors to the long-awaited renovation bask in the radiant glow bouncing off the bright white stone and flooding through the crystal-clear stained glass.

If you want to squeeze every last drop out of your trip to the cathedral, you need to plan ahead, get to know Notre-Dame’s treasury and what not to miss. 

Want us to show you the sights? Contact us

BEFORE YOUR TRIP

What you need to know about booking a trip to Notre-Dame in 2025:

Let’s start with some useful information to plan your trip to Notre-Dame. 

Groupes ou individuels, les dates d’entrée changent :

  • Dès le 16 décembre 2024 : Pour les individuels uniquement (visiteurs seuls, fidèles ou curieux), la cathédrale de Notre-Dame retrouve son ouverture “à temps plein” accueillant ses visiteurs de 7h45 à 19h00. Trois messes journalières sont données, quatre le dimanche.
  • À partir de mars 2025 : c’est la date de réouverture des réservations pour les groupes. Les groupes de visiteurs “culturels”, pour des accompagnateurs munis de cartes professionnelles ou pour des enseignants exclusivement.

Crédit photos : ©Justine DEHARO

Do you have to book your trip to Notre-Dame?

You don’t have to, but it’s best you do! 

Visitors have been so excited about Notre-Dame reopening that it’s bound to be busy! It’s best to pre-book so you avoid having to queue for too long (and risk not getting in with a maximum capacity of 3000 people in the cathedral). You can book your date and time on the website or the app.

Is admission free? 

Despite much debate, it’s still free to visit Notre-Dame. The Paris cathedral stands out from the crowd in this respect with the Duomo in Milan, Westminster Abbey and many more charging over 20 Euros to get in.

A variety of visitor experiences

The cathedral’s visitor route and signage have been updated. The route now runs from left to right and focuses on 10 areas of interest with visitor information suitable for all ages. There are also 5 different tours available to book online to suit different audiences: general tour, family tour, pilgrimage tour, audio tour and easy read tour.

Visit the Treasury of Notre-Dame

The treasury of Notre-Dame is made up of relics, religious and liturgical items “in contact with the body of Christ, in the form of the host and wine”. It includes chalices, wafer boxes, accessories, books and vestments. Fine craftsmen made these items from precious and rare materials: gold, gemstones, mother-of-pearl, pearl, sumptuous fabrics etc. They are still used for mass, sacristy and services. 

Admission to the treasury costs 12 Euros (standard ticket in 2025) but it’s well worth it to get up close to these outstanding historical, cultural and artistic items and grasp the role of Notre-Dame in the history of the French capital. 

Crédit photos : ©Justine DEHARO

Tourists and pilgrims: a space for everyone 

Notre-Dame Cathedral is a holy place where pilgrims and worshippers come to gather their thoughts and pray. Everyone who visits the cathedral must respect their wish for silence and space, especially children. Please don’t talk near the confessionals or transept and don’t sit in the front pews before the altar which are reserved for worshippers. The Crown of Thorns, Saint Guillaume Chapel, choir and pews in front of the statue of the Virgin Mary are also devoted to prayer.  

Crédit photos : ©Justine DEHARO

DURING YOUR TRIP

What not to miss in Notre-Dame:

The Crown of Thorns has a new home

The ancient Crown of Thorns is one of the greatest relics among believers and has withstood the test of time and even flames on April 15th 2019.

It was originally housed in the Sainte-Chapelle, a beautiful chapel built especially for it on Ile de la Cité, before being moved to Notre-Dame in the 19th century. It was saved from the fire (it was secretly stored at Paris Town Hall during the cathedral’s renovation) and has been given a new showcase in a reliquary commissioned by the archbishop of Paris and designed by Sylvain Dubuisson. Stonemasons have carved an altar from Carrara marble with a cross lit by small LED candles, topped by a disc covered in glass blocks and set in a cedar wall. The semi sphere housing the Crown of Thorns in the centre gleams in deep blue to match Notre-Dame’s vault and stained glass. The relic’s setting is lit by fibre optics to avoid fire hazards and will host the Crown of Thorns for special celebrations!

Visitors who want to see the legendary item for themselves should head to the “secret” easternmost chapel in Notre-Dame.

The Mays of Notre-Dame

May what? 

The Mays of Notre-Dame are large paintings commissioned by the Paris guild of goldsmiths and gifted to Notre-Dame every year on May 1st from 1630 to 1707. They were painted by the best artists of their times, including Charles Le Brun, Guido Reni, Lubin Baugin and Laurent de La Hyre. There are now just thirteen Mays in the cathedral with nine other paintings. One of the best is La Conversion de Saint Paul by Laurent de La Hyre in the second North Chapel!

Chapelle Saint-Martin

This chapel has come into the light after being closed to visitors. It was so dusty and dirty that you couldn’t even see its 19th century designs by Viollet-Le-Duc. The post-fire renovation has restored it to its former glory, revealing its incredible colours, narrative scenes and polychrome decorative details. The “ghosts” of sculptures that had been moved to another chapel were also found in the once dark and gloomy chapel.

The Pietà by Nicolas Coustou and lead stigmata…

Nicolas Cousteau drew inspiration from Michelangelo at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome to create a baroque masterpiece during the reign of Louis XIV. The Pietà is so detailed that you can even see the tears carved into the Virgin Mary’s cheeks. The sculpture had only just been restored before the disaster in 2019 when Mary and Christ were splashed with lead and soot as the fire tore through the woodwork and vault! 
Whilst cleaning the piece, a decision was made to “remember the fire” and leave the drops of molten lead that had fallen onto Christ’s hand.

Crédit photos : ©Justine DEHARO

New furniture… made in France

Notre-Dame’s nave has been treated to new solid oak chairs from trees in Sologne and new “mobilier liturgical”. 

It’s time for some French practice! The baptistry, altar, ambo, tabernacle and throne are all classed as liturgical or religious furniture. They’re all made from bronze at a foundry in the Drôme area called Barthélémy Art.

Notre-Dame’s custodians expect around 15 million visitors a year with peak numbers up to Pentecost 2025.
Notre-Dame de Paris already had 12 million visitors a year before the devastating fire on April 15th 2019! The cathedral was the most-visited cultural site in Paris and even put the Louvre in the shade. 

VAL knows how excited you all are about visiting the Paris attraction and can help you have the best trip there in the next few months (or years!).

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Travel diary in French-speaking Switzerland

Travel diary in French-speaking Switzerland

21 Nov 2024 | cultural visits, destinations tips

Let’s take to the mountains with this travel diary in French-speaking Switzerland. Matilda, a French student from Munich, spent a week of her holiday perfecting her skills in Lausanne. She joined her classmates for French lessons in the morning and learnt what makes Romandy, its landscapes, specialities and accent so unique!

Let’s join Matilda as she introduces us to Swiss scenery and traditions.

All our Language stays in France

Welcome to Romandy

We spent our French language holiday in Romandy. What is Romandy and why come here to learn French? It’s the French-speaking region of Switzerland and home to several cantons (Vaud, Geneva, Neuchâtel, Valais etc.) where French is the main language but with a few cute differences!

Medieval Lausanne and hot chocolate!

Lausanne was our base: we spent several days exploring every bit of the city and studying French in the morning. It’s a pretty Swiss city nestled between Lake Geneva and the Alps: a feast for the eyes.

We hit the cobbled streets in the old town as soon as we got here: there are lots of beautifully unspoilt half-timbered houses. After wandering the Vieux Lausanne lanes, we sampled the best hot chocolate in the city at a little café near Place Palud.

Lausanne Cathedral

Next stop: Lausanne Cathedral in all its Gothic glory!

The 13th century cathedral in uptown Lausanne has unobstructed views of the city and Lake Geneva. It was worth it just for the views! Ladies from Lausanne are said to have the best legs in the world… because of the hills they have to walk up every day!

We walked through the pretty painted doorway (a rare sight!) and visited the many realistic statues of biblical characters inside the cathedral. Everything about the place is incredible, from the stained-glass windows to the lofty belfry.

The guide told us about a tradition that’s been around for 600 years: every night between 10pm and 2am, the husky watchman calls out the hours to Lausanne’s locals!!! Who needs a cuckoo?

The Olympic Museum in Lausanne

Lausanne is the Olympic capital: it’s home to the International Olympic Committee’s head office and the Olympic Museum. We simply couldn’t miss it! The futuristic and interactive exhibition taught us all about the history of the Olympic Games, elite athletes and their impact on society and politics. Films, archive photos, equipment: it’s an exciting and all-encompassing experience.
At the end of the tour, I tackled a challenge that turned out to be hilarious and ridiculous in equal measure. I competed against Usain Bolt in the 100m simulation! I’d barely got out of the starting blocks before the red light lit up: Usain Bolt had already crossed the finish line…

Life on Lake Geneva

It was my favourite thing about our language stay in Switzerland.
Lake Geneva and how it changed colour over the course of the day and with the sky: it gave me a real sense of wellness! Watching the sailboats and graceful swans gliding along only made it more magical. We went there for lakeside walks and water sports (there’s lots to do, the Swiss love their water sports on the lake). We had a go at paddle boarding after a picnic on Vidy beach! It was a big hit with everyone on the huge lake with the Alps in the background.

Two days later we got to go on a boat trip to see the landscapes around the lake and the terraced vineyards in the Vaud canton.

Gruyères and the Cheese Factory

After Lausanne, we caught the train to Gruyères, a village famous for its medieval castle and namesake cheese. With or without holes? We got the answer at the Maison du Gruyère cheese factory where we visited maturing cellars (home to up to 7000 wheels!) and learnt the art of making cheese. The outing ended on a high with an amazing gruyère tasting. Being in the lush green meadows of Switzerland made the cheese taste even better!

Cailler and the Chocolate Factory

What comes after the cheese course? Dessert! We visited Maison Cailler next door to Château de Gruyères for an interactive tour of the legendary chocolate factory to learn the history behind chocolate and how it’s made. We’re now experts in all things chocolate: where cacao comes from, chocolate making techniques, different aromas and ways to eat it, how to store it and the best recipes to showcase it. Naturally, the tour ended with a mouth-watering tasting session! We didn’t want to leave so we stayed for a chocolate and praline making workshop: we all went home with our own little box of treats (they didn’t last long).

A trip back in time in Montreux

Visiting Montreux is like stepping inside a time machine: the village is simply magical with its cobbled streets and 13th century winemaker’s houses. It’s hilly! Even hillier than Lausanne! Countless famous names have explored Montreux’s streets and studios: Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Tolstoy, Hemingway and even Freddie Mercury.

As we walked along the shore of Lake Geneva, which glittered turquoise blue that sunny day, we gazed at beautiful manors sitting on the waterfront. Belle Epoque-style villas and mansions line the lake with palm trees and other beautiful plants standing tall among them. 

Next, we made our way to Montreux’s iconic Château de Chillon, sitting pretty on a rocky island in the middle of Lake Geneva. A series of constructions and extensions began in the 12th century to make the fortress what it is today. It has an unspoilt, beautiful keep in the middle surrounded by a main building linked by a wall walk. Chillon is one of few water castles with a bridge to connect it to the land (it used to have a drawbridge and you can still see the pulleys used to operate it).

Fondue, a seasonal sensation!

Despite it being a hot and sunny June, we tried the local speciality: fondue!

It’s always a winner, especially when everyone gathers round a fiery fondue pot filled with creamy, mouth-watering cheese. We certainly filled up on the calories and energy we needed to tackle the rest of the day. We all got into the swing of things and followed the rules: if you drop your bread in the fondue, you have to pay the price! It was a golden opportunity for us to test out our French words and expressions and it brought us all closer together!

Geneva and the Smurfs

Lots of us were confused when we went to Geneva: no, it isn’t the Swiss capital. Bern is!

Geneva may be an international city but it’s definitely Swiss! We all fell in love with a unique district in Geneva that stands out for its architecture: Les Grottes a.k.a. the Smurfs Buildings. Craftsmen used to live in the colourful little buildings and over-the-top architecture, but mainly artists live here nowadays. There are curved walls, butterfly balconies and toadstool posts along the street. It reminded me of Gaudì in Barcelona with his Casa Mila!

What sets Swiss French apart?

We spent two hours perfecting our French in class every morning, then spent the rest of the day testing out our knowledge with activities and experiences with the Swiss locals. The people who live in Romandy have their own unique accent and vocabulary. They use local, idiomatic expressions that surprised us and even made us smile. People in French-speaking Switzerland say “septante” for 70 and “nonante” for 90, which felt strange to begin with but made sense once I got used to it. Then there’s “pédzer” (to stick) and “il roille” (it’s pouring down). We made games and comprehension challenges out of the dialect so we could soak up the local culture and community.

After visiting Paris and Marseille, it was a joy to explore French-speaking Romandy in Switzerland with my classmates. I loved its sweeping scenery and tranquil Lake Geneva. I adored experiencing a whole new culture celebrating outdoor sports, mountains and rib-sticking dishes. My French language skills have improved, I’d even say they’ve been enriched, but I’m sorry to say I don’t have a Swiss accent!

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Normandy travel diary, from Cherbourg to Rouen

Normandy travel diary, from Cherbourg to Rouen

30 Aug 2024 | cultural visits, destinations tips, French culture

A warm welcome and jam-packed with French history

This chapter of our language travel diary takes us back to Normandy to visit two legendary cities between land and sea: Cherbourg and Rouen. Let’s join French teacher Mia and her group of Italian students on their language journey in a region whose history, food and drink conquered her heart. Here are her most magical moments. 

Our language stays in Normandy

Cherbourg: The first unexpected surprise in Normandy

None of us could believe the impressive maritime history and infrastructures in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. It’s a spell-binding city and I’ll never forget our walk in the medieval district: the narrow lanes, or boëls, are like secret passages tucked away in the city centre. We had a completely different change of scene when we got to the harbour with its stunning views of the Presqu’Île du Cotentin peninsula.

La Cité de la Mer trip

La Cité de la Mer is a former transatlantic ferry port. The beautifully-restored Art Déco building saw millions of passengers set sail for the New World in the late 20th century from here and the museum shares their lives with us. The students were struck dumb by the Redoutable nuclear submarine and Titanic, Return to Cherbourg exhibition about the infamous liner’s stop in the city.

Picnic in Parc Emmanuel Liais

We had a stroll and picnic under the June sunshine in Parc Emmanuel Liais, named after a French explorer, botanist and geographer who was born and died in Cherbourg. We cooled off among the exotic and local species in the botanical garden before exploring rare plant collections and visiting the hothouses. Cherbourg is exotic to say the least, with as many as 1000 palm trees imported by 19th century explorers which thrive in the city’s mild climate.

Fort du Roule and Musée de la Libération

We visited the Musée de la Libération at Fort du Roule on a hilltop with incredible views of Cherbourg. The museum introduces visitors to World War II and the Liberation of Cherbourg with information, images and videos. We learnt how war vehicles and equipment were constantly dropped off in Cherbourg Port before being whisked away on the high seas. The stories and media resources really struck a chord!

Manufacture des Parapluies de Cherbourg umbrella factory and film

Our trip to the Manufacture des Parapluies de Cherbourg was a big hit! The umbrellas have been a cult accessory since starring in the film of the same name directed by Jacques Demy. We saw the traditional methods and craftsmanship that go into making the iconic umbrellas at the factory itself. Each and every umbrella is painstakingly handmade! What a wonderful gift made in France to take home in your suitcase!

Rouen: Historical hotspot, from Joan of Arc to Maupassant

The cobbled streets and historical landmarks make Rouen a real Normandy treasure trove. We unearthed its gems on several trips.

Rouen, the City of Bell Towers

You won’t believe how many bell towers and tall landmarks call Rouen home. Just take Notre-Dame Cathedral with its Gothic architecture and spire (more recent) peaking at 151m, making Rouen’s cathedral the tallest in France and the third tallest in Europe! The students loved it for its sheer size, attention to detail and staggering stained glass windows… but it wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Normandy’s very own Maupassant called it a “bronze spike that’s surprising, ugly, strange and out of proportion.” 

We also visited the flamboyant Gothic gem that is Saint-Maclou Church and the show-stopping Saint-Ouen Abbey.

Place du Vieux-Marché and Joan of Arc

Our next stop was Place du Vieux-Marché, where Joan of Arc was executed. It was a golden opportunity to revisit the story behind France’s legendary warrior: Joan was a pious shepherd girl who heard voices telling her to liberate occupied France from English rule. She embraced her destiny and joined the future King Charles VII in Touraine during the Hundred Years’ War, dressed as a man with her hair cut short. She fought in the decisive battle against the English in Orléans which saw Charles VII crowned king at Reims Cathedral in 1429. But she was defeated in Paris, made a prisoner of war, sold to the English and imprisoned at their headquarters in Rouen. She was put on trial for heresy and sentenced to be burnt at the stake! She was burnt alive on May 30th 1431 on Place du Vieux Marché in Rouen. The tragedy and injustice made their mark on the city square and our students’ hearts.

Jardin des Plantes de Rouen

Picnic break at the Jardin des Plantes! After stocking up on nibbles in town, we settled down in a haven of peace home to plants from five continents. The greenhouse is over 170 years old! The students were particularly fascinated by the carnivorous plants… Watching plants eating small insects isn’t your standard entertainment. There’s something magical about the place and we could have spent hours here! What with the aviaries filled with budgies, parrots, king quails, peacocks and turtles roaming free by the canal, everyone enjoyed their time out in a bountiful botanical world!

Following in the footsteps of Guy de Maupassant in Rouen’s streets

Rouen was one of the biggest and most opulent cities in medieval Europe. It was home to the Normandy Exchequer in the Middle Ages (a parliament where the county’s noblemen convened). The city flourished from the 13th century onwards with the boom in textile factories and river freight.

As we strolled the cobbled streets, walked along the docks and explored Rouen’s secret spots, the work of Guy de Maupassant sprang to mind. Some students had read his novels such as Une Vie, Boule de Suif and Le Horla. The author was born in Normandy and drew inspiration from Rouen’s city and river landscape to set his stories in. His homeland and Rouen had a special place in the great writer and traveller’s heart. 

“Nous avons accompli en quatre jours un voyage que bien peu de Français ont fait, un voyage plein d’accidents, d’émotions, même de dangers, un voyage délicieux à travers le plus adorable pays du monde et le plus propre aux descriptions. (…) Nous avons simplement descendu la Seine, la belle et calme rivière, de Paris à Rouen, dans un de ces petits bateaux à deux personnes qu’on nomme des yoles.(…) Et voici Rouen, Rouen l’opulente, la ville aux clochers, aux merveilleux monuments, aux vieilles rues tortueuses. On ne la peut décrire. Il la faut connaître”. 

“In four days, we accomplished a journey that few Frenchmen have done, a journey full of mishaps, emotions, even dangers, a delicious journey through the most adorable land in the world and the best for descriptions. (…) We simply went down the beautiful and tranquil River Seine, from Paris to Rouen, in one of those little 2-person yole boats (…). And here we are in opulent Rouen, the city of bell towers, lavish landmarks and old winding lanes. It cannot be described. It has to be seen.”

Guy de Maupassant

from Paris to Rouen, Notes by two sailors found in a bottle in the water.

Conquering Normandy’s food and drink… 

It was great to visit this part of Normandy with students who love their food and trying new things! They weren’t disappointed by all the traditional dishes and produce we found at markets and shops between Cherbourg and Rouen. From the coast to the countryside, we feasted on fresh seafood from the Channel, creamy cheese from free range cows and delicious apples from the Pays d’Auge orchards.

What was our favourite dish? La Dieppoise Marmite! Molluscs, crustaceans and fish cooked in a creamy savoury soup made from butter, cider and crème fraîche. What a treat!

How about an unforgettable dessert? La Teurgoule! It may not sound or look very appetising, but it tastes amazing. It’s a slow-cooked rice pudding in a terracotta ramekin made with sugar and milk then dusted with nutmeg and cinnamon.

A trip to a Normandy cheesemonger to end on a high 

The final chapter of our Normandy language stay was a tasting workshop at a Normandy cheesemonger! Unbrielievable! We were given a warm welcome at the huge dairy farm and our students saw just how much work goes into making Normandy AOP cheese to earn the Protected Designation of Origin. The milk comes from cattle that must be fed local grass and fodder. It was an explosion of flavour for everyone, even the biggest cheese fans among us! The Italians have their own fabulous cheese but cheese using cow’s milk is less common: Neufchâtel (the oldest cheese from Normandy!), Livarot, Pont-L’Evêque and classic Camembert! It was fantastic to experience local craftsmanship with my students, although it did tell them to rethink taking any home in their suitcases…

Mia’s Normandy trip from Cherbourg to Rouen is one of the most popular cultural itineraries that Vacances Actives Linguistiques provides for French language stays in France. But there’s so much more to see in Normandy! A short coach trip takes you to the legendary Mont Saint Michel, Giverny and Claude Monet’s gardens or the magical Baie de Somme. Check out all our travel diaries on our blog to inspire your next study abroad experience in France. 

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How to visit Paris during the 2024 Olympic Games

How to visit Paris during the 2024 Olympic Games

8 Jul 2024 | destinations tips

2024 is Paris’s year as the biggest sporting event in the world comes to the city: the Olympic Games. What a thrill! Over 15 million visitors are expected to descend on the French capital during the Games, with the opening ceremony on July 26th. Security, transport, access… with so much going on, how do you make the most of your time in Paris? Vacances Actives Linguistiques has brought you a helpful guide to help you enjoy your trip to Paris during the Olympics.

How to plan your stay in Paris during the Olympics

Be prepared! Plan everything in advance from your trip and travel to any bookings or tickets you need. As a travel agency, we understand the importance of forward planning and how it can make or break a trip. Here are some websites to visit, key figures and top tips to help you plan your time in Paris during the Olympics.

2024 Olympic Games schedule

The Paris Olympics will take place between July 26th and August 11th 2024 with over 300 events and 10,500 athletes at 35 Olympic venues. View the full schedule here: https://olympics.com/fr/paris-2024/calendrier.

Getting around Paris during the Olympics

Avoid taking your car !

Traffic is always tricky in Paris, so the Olympics aren’t going to help! With crowds, road and subway line closures, whether you drive or use public transport, traffic is going to be heavy. 

What’s the best way to get around Paris? A good walk to stretch the legs and get up close to the capital’s wonders. 

What’s the second-best option? Hire a bike or scooter (you’ll have to hire one from a shop because there are no self-service scooters in central Paris anymore). That means you can zip through the security areas without aggravating the traffic.

Prefer public transport

Last but not least: public transport. The Métro, RER, buses and trams are the best alternative to cars but some subway stations will be closed.  

  • Métro and RER: more services to meet demand. View live travel information for times and disruption.
  • Bus and Tram: more services available but some bus routes will be diverted subject to events.
  • Pick up a special pass like the “Pass JO 2024” for unlimited travel in Paris and Île-de-France. Book early: the price of tickets and passes is going up on July 20th! You can view ticket/pass prices here!

Use the interactive map to get around

A must-have interactive transport map covering all transport methods is available so you can plan how you get around Ile de France. Bookmark the website during your trip to Paris!

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a flying taxi! 

We’re not joking: there will be taxis flying over Paris during the Olympics to trial a new form of transport! Air taxis or VTOLs (vertical take-off and landing aircrafts) are a hybrid between a helicopter and drone which can transport a driver and passenger. Is this the future of Parisian taxis? 

Security and crowd control

The Paris police force has established several security perimeters around the Olympic sites with traffic restrictions. There are several levels of security with red, blue and grey zones. Traffic and crowd control applies to these zones and you need a pass to get in.

Black perimeter – SILT (anti-terrorism)

This perimeter covers the competition venues and opening ceremony. Only people with tickets or approved by Paris 2024 can enter this perimeter. You can only attend the opening ceremony on July 26th if you have a ticket or invitation.

Red perimeter: no vehicles allowed

No cars, buses or motor vehicles are allowed in this perimeter. It covers the area around competition venues, the Olympic and Paralympic marathon route, cycling events and along the Seine during the opening ceremony (and several days beforehand). It comes into force 2.5 hours before the first event begins and ends when the last event finishes. No restrictions apply to pedestrians or cyclists, so visit on foot or by bike! 

Blue perimeter: traffic control

The blue perimeter covers the area outside the red perimeter with the same traffic and enforcement requirements as the red perimeter.  

Find out all the information you need about passes, proof of ID, QR codes and how to access the security perimeters here: https://www.pass-jeux.gouv.fr/ 

Beat the crowd

Now here’s a handy website for visiting Paris without battling the crowds during the Olympics!! Affluences.com provides real-time or estimated information about attendance at all the cultural and visitor attractions during the milestone event. Some of the biggest landmarks in Paris are going to be packed with tourists. It’s best to explore lesser-known but equally fascinating places in Paris to avoid the crowds. You’ll enjoy your time in Paris far more if you visit the city’s quieter museums, little-known parks and pretty neighbourhoods!

 

Museums and cultural sites

New exhibitions for the Olympics

Paris’s museums and landmarks are open during the Olympics… just with higher prices and bigger queues. 

Exhibitions exploring the Olympics, art and sport are on show throughout the capital all summer. 

  • The Louvre: the Richelieu Gallery at the Louvre is hosting an exhibition called “Olympism: Modern Invention, Ancient Legacy” until September 16th to celebrate the Olympic Games. 
  • There are Olympic art installations at several visitor attractions in Paris, including sculptures by Laurent Perbos in front of the Assemblée Nationale and the 4 Cardinals of Sport by Gad Weil and Alexandra Castaing at Belvédère Claude-Gérard Marcus on Canal Saint-Martin. 

Emblematic locations welcome medal winners

How about the Eiffel Tower? 

The Iron Lady is open during the Olympics! Admission costs a little extra… 

Otherwise, it’s just as amazing to see it from the ground or one of the Olympic sites: Champ-de-Mars. The pop-up stadium is hosting the beach volleyball and blind football events. Visitors can congratulate the previous day’s medallists at Parc des Champions, at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower on Place du Trocadéro. 

The Jardin des Tuileries

It plays host to the Olympic torch throughout the event. The park is an idyllic place for a walk in the shade of its paths, fountains and sculptures. Take some time out to unwind on one of the iconic green chairs and soak up the Olympic atmosphere as you feast your eyes on the capital’s historical beauty.

The Parc de la Villette

It is where it’s all happening: its Grande Halle is hosting Club France and French sporting federations. The Olympic Village is on the Seine riverbanks, between Saint-Denis, Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine and Île-Saint-Denis.

It’s best to get off the beaten track. That way your trip to Paris won’t turn into an Olympic battle with crowds and soaring costs. Paris is as beautiful and spellbinding as ever, the buzzing atmosphere of the event is the cherry on the cake!

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Anniversary: OUR top 7 language stay memories

Anniversary: OUR top 7 language stay memories

15 May 2024 | destinations tips

Vacances Actives Linguistiques is turning 7! 

Vacances Actives Linguistiques would like to share 7 travel memories to celebrate this milestone moment – with the emphasis on mile! Join your favourite study abroad agency on an adventure visiting all our top destinations for cultural experiences jam-packed with excitement and surprises! 

1. Cheese fondue in the middle of June…

This group of American visitors will never forget their light lunch in the Lausanne peaks in June 2023… The French students were on a language stay between Lyon and Switzerland and it was time to refuel after spending the morning in French class. They needed a high-calorie meal to prepare them for their busy afternoon in the bright summer sunshine! The perfect excuse for the delicious and indulgent Franco-Swiss dish, Fondue Savoyarde!

2. Crossing quicksand in Mont Saint-Michel

This is no place to bury your head in the sand! Mont Saint-Michel Bay is home to quicksand or shifting sand, as our American explorers found out on its sprawling beach that’s nowhere near is calm as it looks. 

Our young French learners joined an expert guide on the legendary strand to follow in the footsteps of barefoot pilgrims who have been visiting Mont Saint-Michel for centuries. 

They rolled up their trousers, buttoned up their waterproofs and dug their feet into the ground to watch their guide slowly sink into the shifting sand. What a heart-stopping experience! The amazing natural phenomenon saw the soft sand give way underfoot and suck the tour guide into sand that reached up to his knees! No need to worry though, there is a limit to this quicksand and your body always ends up floating… You just need enough energy (or a good partner) to get out of the sand beneath Mont Saint-Michel.

3. A village cheese shop tour in Auteuil

We introduced our young travellers to French cheese with a tasting experience in 2024! There are so many to choose from and there’s a real art to enjoying them! That’s why we needed a specialist, a cheese expert to guide us as we tasted everything from the mildest to the wildest! Our American students visited this village cheese shop in Auteuil to sample classic camembert, goat’s cheese, comté, roquefort and even eye-watering époisse!

4. Perfume workshop in Grasse

We took our very first Uzbekistan group studying in Provence to the historical capital of French perfume: Grasse. Our young French students joined a workshop at one of the oldest French perfume brands to become apprentice perfume and fragrance blend experts known here as “nez” or “noses”. They dived into a treasure trove of aromas with over a hundred notes to conjure up their very own fragrance, pairing citrus, woody, fresh and floral families true to the fragrance pyramid: top, middle and base notes. 

Who can forget the delighted Uzbekistan students when they got to name their very own bottle of perfume in the beautiful Provençal village of Grasse. Scentsational!

Institut des Frères Lumière à Lyon<br />

5. Flammekueche cookery class in Strasbourg

College students came to Alsace from Gödöllö, near Budapest, to unleash their inner chefs during their stay and master the regional speciality. They came hungry from Hungary! Our visitors got their aprons on and set to work rolling out the dough to make their own tarte flambée: they were in charge of their signature dish’s crème fraîche, lardons and sliced onions! French culture and cuisine go hand in hand and saw the Hungarian students join forces around the worktop and dining table for a gourmet get-together in Strasbourg!

Institut des Frères Lumière à Lyon<br />

6. A photo challenge in the streets of Paris

Our French learners from the Netherlands know central Paris like the back of their hands now: the students went wild for our scavenger hunt-style quiz. They had to complete puzzles and challenges in iconic sites and shops, talk to locals and all in record time: they threw themselves into the fun and certainly rose to the occasion! Lots of running around, lots of belly laughs and lots of memorable photos to show off in their travel journals!

Institut des Frères Lumière à Lyon<br />

7. Council of Europe tour in Strasbourg

Our group of Maltese college students looked ahead to the future on a trip to the Council of Europe. They stepped inside the awe-inspiring Palais de l’Europe to learn all about the role and structure of the European Union. They had the opportunity to attend a presentation at the Strasbourg landmark and ask all kinds of questions about the organisation’s job opportunities and how it works. Is this where the next generation of the EU has begun?

Institut des Frères Lumière à Lyon<br />

Vacances Actives Linguistiques is proud to celebrate the 7th anniversary of its foundation and holds its 7 core values dearer than ever: providing a service that’s tailor-made, fast, relevant, creative, independent, original, reliable and trustworthy.

Here’s to another 7 years (and many more to come) of putting our all into promoting the French language and international travel for children and young adults with cultural activities in France’s best destinations.

Are you ready to join us on a cultural adventure and make memories?

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