Summer in Tours: Program Excursions & Activities

Our program includes several planned activities that help to familiarize students with the charm of Tours. Many of these activities are included as part of the French Cultural Integration Workshop (FREN 119) held during the first two weeks. As such, participation is mandatory. We typically organize the following activities each year:

• A walking tour of Tours and its historic city center
• A group visit to Les Halles, a traditional covered market that sells local foods and wines
• A meeting with local French students preparing for the Grandes Écoles
• A local wine and cheese tasting

Since Tours has long been regarded as the perfect hub for exploring the Loire Valley and its famous châteaux and gardens, we also offer the following regional excursions:

•  A visit to the wine cooperative in Vouvray (with wine tasting)
• A guided tour of an organic goat farm where they produce Appelation d’origine contrôlée cheese (with tasting)
• A guided visit of the towns Loches and Amboise and their châteaux
• A guided visit of the region’s largest château, in Chambord
• A day-trip to the château and gardens at Chenonceau

All activities and excursions mentioned above are included in the program fee.